After bringing in prominent guest chefs for their first two state dinners, the Obamas relied on in-house Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford and Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses this time around. They created a "quintissentially American" state dinner menu for Chinese president Hu Jintao at the request of his delegation, Obama Foodorama reported.
Accordingly, the menu featured American classics like poached maine lobster, dry-aged ribeye steak with onions, stuffed potatoes, apple pie with vanilla ice cream, and an all-American wine selection.
The full state dinner menu:
First
D'Anjou Pear with Farmstead Goat Cheese
Fennel, Black Walnuts, and White BalsamicSecond
Poached Maine Lobster
Orange Glaze Carrots and Black Trumpet MushroomsWine: DuMol Chardonnay "Russian River" 2008 (California)
Lemon Sorbet
Main
Dry Aged Rib Eye with Buttermilk Crisp Onions
Double Stuffed Potatoes and Creamed SpinachWine: Quilceda Creek Cabernet "Columbia Valley" 2005 (Washington State)
Dessert
Old Fashioned Apple Pie
with Vanilla Ice CreamWine: Poet's Leap Riesling "Botrytis" 2008 (Washington State)
Marcus Samuelsson was the guest chef for the Obamas' first White House state dinner, honoring Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, and Rick Bayless guest-cheffed their second state dinner for Mexican President Felipe Calderon. View Samuelsson's state dinner menu here and Bayless's menu here, and go here for a look at state dinner menus of eras past, featuring foods like aspic, hot dogs and boiled mutton.