Pizza Pitfalls and Cheesesteak Missteps: Political Food Fails

Eating pizza with utensils is one of the most common mistakes.

ByABC News
March 31, 2016, 11:56 AM

— -- Gov. John Kasich is just the latest in an ever-growing line of politicians who have earned the ire of some eagle-eyed voters after making a food-related gaffe.

Pizza happens to be the source of many political meal missteps, but it isn't the only one.

Here is a rundown of some of the most infamous food fumbles:

John Kasich, Pizza, 2016

While campaigning in New York City, which prides itself on having some of the best pizza on the planet, the Republican presidential hopeful from Ohio busted out the cutlery when eating a slice on Wednesday.

When asked to defend himself on "Good Morning America" today, Kasich claimed "the pizza came scalding hot," prompting his use of "a little fork."

"You know what my wife, who's on spring break with my daughters, she said, 'I'm proud of you. You finally learned how to use a utensil properly,'" he said.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, center, uses a knife and fork to pizza at Goodfellas Pizza in the Staten Island borough of New York, Jan. 10, 2014.
Jonathan Lemire/AP Photo

Bill de Blasio, Pizza, 2013

Out-of-towners aren't the only ones to fall victim to treacherous times with pizza.

New York City's own mayor had not one but two fork-usage incidents in 2013: one in Staten Island and one while on a family vacation to Italy that same summer.

While at the Staten Island restaurant, de Blasio defended himself by saying that "in my ancestral homeland, it is more typical to eat with a fork and knife."

That didn't stop the local criticism and mockery.

Sarah Palin and Donald Trump sat down for pizza at a Famiglia pizza on Broadway at 50th Street in New York, May 31, 2011.
Andrew Savulich/NY Daily News via Getty Images

Donald Trump and Sarah Palin, Pizza, 2011

This instance dates back to 2011 when Trump was just a real estate mogul and reality star, and Palin was a former governor and former reality star.

The pair added a touch of class to the Times Square pizza joint where they ate lunch by using utensils.

Palin and Trump's relationship clearly wasn't harmed by the judgment that came from the so-called "pizza summit," as now Palin has endorsed Trump and is stumping for him on the campaign trail.

Sen. John Kerry, Democratic candidate for president, eats a Philly cheesesteak during a campaign stop at Pat's King of Steaks, Aug. 11, 2003 in Philadelphia.
William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

John Kerry, Cheesesteak, 2003

Presidential campaign trails are rife with opportunities for food failure.

A similar instance happened in 2003 when then-Sen. Kerry was running for office and made a stop in Philadelphia.

While ordering a cheesesteak, he ruffled the feathers of some local Eagles fans by ordering Swiss cheese on his cheesesteak, which is typically topped with Cheez Whiz.

He isn't the only one to have gotten his order wrong, as Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker made a similar misstep earlier in 2015 by asking for American cheese while ordering in Philly. Whoops!

In this file picture taken on April 6, 2015, Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron, right, has a bite to eat with Lilli Docherty and her daughter Dakota in their garden in southern England.
KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP/Getty Images

David Cameron, Hot Dog, 2015

Food gaffes are an international problem, apparently.

British Prime Minister David Cameron was criticized last summer when reporters spotted him using a knife and fork to eat a hot dog at a family barbecue.

According to local paper The Independent, he was roundly mocked on Twitter with some users saying it made him seem "posh."