The 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics will be remembered for many things—thrilling overtime victories, gold medal celebrations, and, perhaps unexpectedly, a culinary showdown that had the internet buzzing. Team USA’s men’s and women’s hockey squads, both chasing international glory, found themselves at the center of a viral conversation—not just for their on-ice feats, but for the very different ways they were feted off the ice.
On February 10, 2026, the US Women’s Olympic Ice Hockey Team enjoyed an extraordinary lunch in Milan, hosted by none other than actor Stanley Tucci. Known for his roles in “The Devil Wears Prada” and as the host of the celebrated food series “Searching for Italy,” Tucci is a bona fide culinary aficionado. The meal took place at Ristorante Ratanà, a Michelin Guide-listed gem helmed by chef Cesare Battisti, renowned for its modern Milanese cuisine and seasonal ingredients. The picturesque patio provided the perfect backdrop for an afternoon that would set social media ablaze.
USA Hockey’s verified Instagram account captured the moment, posting, “Lunch with @stanleytucci…an absolute dream for members,” and encouraging fans to “watch the full segment on NBCOlympics.com.” The post quickly racked up over 90,000 likes and nearly 600 comments, with fans marveling at the team’s good fortune. One user summed up the mood: “The women’s hockey team having lunch with Stanley Tucci while the guys get Big Macs.” Another quipped, “Meeting THEE Stanley Tucci is a gazillion times better than meeting literally any president ever.”
But it wasn’t just about the food. The US Women’s Ice Hockey Team was in Milan for a reason—they were on a mission for gold. Led by stars Hilary Knight and Kendall Coyne Schofield, the squad delivered in spectacular fashion. In a nail-biting final against archrivals Canada, the Americans clinched gold with a 2-1 overtime victory. Megan Keller’s decisive puck sealed the win and preserved Team USA’s flawless 7-0 record at the Games. The victory was sweet, and the celebrations were just getting started.
Yet, as the women dined in style, the men’s team found themselves in a very different setting. Around mid-February, the US Men’s Hockey Team was pictured at the White House, sitting around a long table stacked high with McDonald’s burgers and fries. The scene, shared in a brief video on r/hockey, featured players in navy “USA” tops, their plates loaded with fast food. The contrast couldn’t have been starker, and fans were quick to notice. Social media lit up with playful comparisons, with one fan declaring, “Infinitely cooler than a White House visit,” and another joking, “Oh these women just keep on winning.”
The culinary divide became a meme in itself, with fans and commentators debating which team had drawn the better deal. Was it the elegant lunch with a Hollywood legend in Italy, or the all-American fast food feast at the seat of power? While the answer may depend on one’s palate, the internet had clearly chosen its favorite.
The story took another turn as the women’s team, fresh off their gold medal triumph, made headlines for declining President Donald Trump’s invitation to the State of the Union address. USA Hockey released a statement expressing gratitude for the invite but citing “previously scheduled academic and professional commitments following the Games” as the reason for their absence. “They were honoured to be included and are grateful for the acknowledgement,” the statement read. A spokesperson later told Tyla that any potential future visit to the White House would depend on the athletes’ schedules once their seasons concluded.
President Trump, for his part, congratulated the women’s team on their success and joked, “I must tell you, we’re going to have to bring the women’s team, you do know that.” He added with a smile that he’d “probably be impeached” if he didn’t extend the invitation. Despite the playful tone, the women’s team opted to celebrate elsewhere—accepting, instead, an invitation from rapper Flavor Flav, a long-time supporter of women’s sports, to party in Las Vegas. Talk about a victory lap!
Meanwhile, twenty of the twenty-five men’s ice hockey gold medalists did attend the White House event with President Trump. Notable absentees included Brock Nelson, Jackson LaCombe, Jake Guentzel, Jake Oettinger, and Kyle Connor. The latter, a forward for the Winnipeg Jets, explained to The Athletic, “I’m just getting ready. We play on Wednesday. It’s a big second half, so I just wanted to make sure I was ready.” The NHL season’s resumption on February 25th clearly took precedence for some of the men’s stars.
As the dust settled, the juxtaposition of the two teams’ celebrations became a talking point far beyond hockey circles. Stephanie Hilborne OBE, CEO of Women in Sport, told Tyla, “For decades, women’s team sport had been invisible. Now at last it is not, and we are finally able to celebrate the excitement, jeopardy and extraordinary brilliance of women competing in teams at the highest level. The USA women’s ice hockey team is one of those great teams, and we stand in awe of their achievements. The commitment, teamwork, leadership and skill required to excel on the World stage is undeniable.” She was quick to add, “There is no room for misogyny in sport or society,” and called for equal recognition of men’s and women’s achievements.
Even Stanley Tucci got in on the action, discussing his Olympics experience in a February 26 interview on TODAY. The actor reflected on the privilege of dining with the team and witnessing their historic run. For Tucci, as for so many fans, the moment was about more than food—it was about celebrating excellence, camaraderie, and the joy of sport at its highest level.
So, which meal would you choose? A gourmet lunch with a Hollywood star in Milan, or burgers and fries at the White House? For Team USA’s women, the answer is clear: they’re winning on and off the ice, and the world is finally taking notice.