Washington Whispers

Panetta's Italian CIA Holiday Party

By Paul Bedard

December 15, 2009 RSS Feed Print

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

This year's off-the-record CIA holiday party—a prized ticket—was served Panetta family style. The son of Italian immigrants, Director Leon Panetta ordered up Italian fare in the agency's famed lobby for senior administration and congressional officials, foreign dignitaries, former CIA directors, and the agency's top brass. The faves: gourmet ravioli and zabaglione dessert prepared by the agency's Italian-American executive chef, a graduate of the other CIA (the Culinary Institute of America). The Californian spy boss, a former House member, also put a personal touch on the evening's wines, Bernardus chardonnay and Lockwood Block 7 pinot noir from his Monterey County home.

Tags:
Leon Panetta,
CIA

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another typical gvt. F..k up.

spending our money to recognize the "important" people.

what a crock of crap.

joe biden of WA 10:02AM December 20, 2009

You cannot expect the head of the cia to try to save money by having it in his home. security reasons. spending creates jobs.

someone had to make the food, grow the food ,transport the food,

ect. through it is a matter of priorities as to where money is spent.being aware prudent fiscal management. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT PERFORMANCE OF GOVERNMENT AS TO REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS.

Richard Dolce of IL 5:07AM December 17, 2009

We have a real unemployment rate of 17% and the news is full of gov't funded holiday parties! In corporate America in down years I opened my home and prepared the food for up to 100 people with an open bar that I paid for in NO BONUS years. Perhaps DC is richer whan I? Of couse, they are considerate in that they get to spend my money on frivolities.

Sunshine Connie of AZ 9:44AM December 16, 2009

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