Oprah Among President Obama's Windy City Birthday Guests

President Barack Obama returned to the Windy City to celebrate his 49th birthday in style this week. People.com reports that the Commander-in-Chief hosted a gathering at the Chicago restaurant Graham Elliot on Wednesday. President Obama's guest list read like a "who's who" of the Midwestern city where he began his political career. Media mogul Oprah Winfrey, talk show host Gayle King, and longtime friends Eric Whittaker and Marty Nesbitt were all in attendance. Restaurant owner Graham Elliot was also on hand at his namesake eatery, though he almost missed the grand event. Elliot comments, quote, "My flight was actually held up due to Air Force One landing at O'Hare, so we were racing to the restaurant to head him off." The 33-year-old restaurateur flew in from Los Angeles, where he was doing publicity for the FOX series "Master Chef," on which he is a judge.