Anchorage Daily News

Gov. Sarah Palin knows how to cook.

Click to enlarge

Marnon had begun work in Tony Knowles' administration.

Story tools

Comment on this story

E-mail a friend

Print

Digg this

Seed Newsvine

Send link via AIM

Font size : A | A | A

And her children are capable of making sandwiches.

That said, Palin has told chef Stefani Marnon that the Governor's Mansion in Juneau won't be needing a professional cook until the legislative session this coming winter.

"Bottom line is, the governor does not need a gourmet chef at the mansion," said Meghan Stapleton, the governor's spokeswoman. "From the start, she's been very uncomfortable with a gourmet chef. It's a luxury she doesn't think Alaskans should be paying for."

The news of Palin's culinary cutback prompted rumors that she'd laid off her entire mansion staff, and that her husband and children wouldn't return to Juneau this fall.

All false, said Stapleton.

"Even if the family was there 24-7, the governor would not want a luxury item like a personal gourmet chef at the mansion," Stapleton said. "Now granted, during the height of the session, there are more receptions, more expectations for people to stop by, and then (a chef) is very helpful. But on a day-to-day basis, with the family, she just feels that's one luxury item she will not need."

The Palin family will prepare its own meals, she said.

The cut was important to Palin because she's demanded that other departments make reductions, Stapleton said. "She wants to do her part."

Marnon, in kitchen at the Governor's Mansion since the Tony Knowles' administration, is an accomplished chef on Alaska's cuisine scene.

She represented the state in the 2004 Great American Seafood Cook Off in New Orleans -- a competition that later aired on the Food Network. Palin selected Marnon to compete in that program again this year, according to Laura Fleming with Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute.

So the governor's decision has nothing to do with Marnon herself, Stapleton said. "She's really very good," Stapleton said.

And the decision to downsize chef time at the Governor's Mansion will save $45,000 between salary and benefits, Stapleton said.

In an e-mail to friends and colleagues Thursday, Marnon said, "Friday will be my last day at the house, but I will still be employed with the state."

Stapleton wouldn't say exactly where Alaska's first family is right now, citing security reasons. But the Palins will travel this summer, and spend time fishing, and plan to return to Juneau this fall.

Find Katie Pesznecker online at adn.com/contact/kpesznecker or call her at 257-4589.