Janet L. Yellen’s Culinary Adventures

There was an unusual incident at a gastronomic taqueria in Mexico City where mayonnaise was found mixed with ants. In Frankfurt, a Persian restaurant featured garlic aged for 25 years. Meanwhile, in Beijing, the magic mushrooms turned out to be hallucinogenic.

This isn’t a scene from an Anthony Bourdain travel show but rather a glimpse into the culinary explorations of Janet L. Yellen, the Treasury Secretary. Over the past three years, she has traveled more than 300,000 miles, facing challenges such as inflation and devising strategies to impact the Russian economy.

“It’s not a deliberate diplomatic effort,” said Ms. Yellen during an interview at Sarge’s Delicatessen and Diner in New York City, over a meal of scrambled eggs with onions and home fries. “Nevertheless, it does seem to have had that impact.”

Ms. Yellen’s culinary adventures have captured global attention, with local and social media buzzing about her dining experiences. This unexpected aspect of Ms. Yellen’s tenure has added a unique dimension to her role as Treasury Secretary, blending cultural exploration with the demands of governance.

While Ms. Yellen once characterized her family dinners as overly focused on economics, she now channels her inner Guy Fieri, a fan of the show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Beyond personal enjoyment, these food expeditions serve as a way to forge connections with officials and her team, providing insights into local economies.

Image: Ms. Yellen in April with the U.S. ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, at a microbrewery in Beijing that uses American hops. (Credit: Florence Lo/Reuters)