He is the ultimate political sense maker!
A longtime head chef at an Albany executive mansion, he cooks what powerful politicians eat in private, from quirky breakfast soups to peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Tom Santimau — New York Governor-turned-executive chef of this historic institution. Eliot Spitzer told Kathy Hochul's administration that she often had to remind lawmakers to eat right during high-stress moments.
“I used to make [Hochul] It’s a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for helicopters,” Santimeau told the Post.
“Who thinks about gourmet dinners when a natural disaster occurs? Sometimes you have to be encouraged to eat to get nourishment,” he said.
In retrospect, former Gov. David Paterson chose cake as his strangest dietary preference, he said.
“Soup of the day. That's what he had for breakfast,” Santimeau said, adding that Patterson's favorite was Caribbean-style black bean soup.
Mr. Santimeau recently left his prestigious position to work at Albany's iconic War Room Tavern, just steps from the governor's mansion and across the street from the state Capitol.
This old tavern, once known as the “Planet Hollywood of national politics,” has become a hotspot for lobbyists, senators, congressmen, and other political campaigners and politicians.
Owner Todd Shapiro said the restaurant recently received permission to feature lasagna on the menu made from a recipe by Matilda Cuomo (mother of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and wife of the late Mario Cuomo). It is said that
But don't expect Mr. Cuomo to order the mother's comfort food.
“He was a very healthy eater. Not a lot of red meat. For breakfast, egg whites, salad. For dinner, a very light dish. Sometimes just a crudité,” Santimau said in an interview Wednesday.
Shapiro said Santimau will now use his inside knowledge of the governor's tastes to create new and improved menus for the eateries.
“We have a non-political menu. We have Republicans and Democrats on the menu,” he said.
The goal is “to make these people feel at home when they come in,” Shapiro added.
The tavern already serves Roosevelt fried chicken poutine, Kennedy Family lobster rolls, FDR grilled cheese and Eric Adams vegan tacos, which the mayor reportedly ordered. the restaurant owner said.
“Everything comes from what they love. We're authentic,” Shapiro said.
Hochul provided the restaurant with a recipe for chicken wings, and state Attorney General Letitia James requested sushi, he said.
“There's no better Buffalo than Kathy Hochul from the Buffalo Bills Mafia,” Shapiro joked.
However, the petite governor usually only eats a few wings.
“She made some suggestions, but she was very interested in eating small amounts,” Santimau said of the Hochuls' diet.
James also likes lighter meals, so he added sushi to the menu, Shapiro said.
“She said, 'You can always go to a good sushi restaurant in Albany.'” So I found a five-star sushi chef who had trained in Japan. That was the best advice,” Shapiro said.
With Santimau joining the culinary team, Albany diners can expect new dishes like Porterhouse Pitaki Steak and Sen. Gillibrand's Petit Filet, which the politician is known to order when she dines there. said Shapiro.
