At the request of the Chinese delegation the White House prepared an "American Feast" for the State Dinner honoring Chinese Premier Hu Jintao. There was no guest chef for this dinner. White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford and Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses created the menu which featured Maine lobster, Aged Rib Eye, and even apple pie with ice cream. The menu makes sense. The Chinese delegation clearly wanted to eat traditional, American foods which provided a nice change of pace from their normal meals. Here's what was served:
First
D'Anjou Pear with Farmstead Goat Cheese
Fennel, Black Walnuts, and White Balsamic
Second
Poached Maine Lobster
Orange Glaze Carrots and Black Trumpet Mushrooms
Wine: DuMol Chardonnay "Russian River" 2008 (California)
Lemon Sorbet
Main
Dry Aged Rib Eye with Buttermilk Crisp Onions
Double Stuffed Potatoes and Creamed Spinach
Wine: Quilceda Creek Cabernet "Columbia Valley" 2005 (Washington State)
Dessert
Old Fashioned Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream
Wine: Poet's Leap Riesling "Botrytis" 2008 (Washington State)
Before the dinner began, guests were served canapes which featured
Northern shrimp from Ipswich Bay, Massachusetts and smoked rainbow trout from fish raised in Idaho.
Photo: Residence staff prepare for the State Dinner in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House, Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton
