Air Force trains flight attendants for VIP trips

The U.S. military says more flight attendants aboard Air Force One and other government VIP planes are learning advanced culinary skills.

Students at Joint Base Andrews near Washington recently prepared chicken paillard (py-AR') with mashed potatoes and asparagus at the direction of a Los Angeles-based chef who has cooked for celebrities including Tom Cruise and Simon Cowell.

The Air Force hired The Corporate School of Etiquette to teach three such classes in the last 18 months to flight attendants in the 89th Airlift Wing at $22,000 per class.

The Air Force says the president and his top advisers need to be well-fed when traveling on official business — but they can opt for more pedestrian fare.

The flight attendants say their top priority is ensuring passenger safety.

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