Behind the Scenes: State Dinner Preview
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 10:18 PM 
While the State Dinner is being held in the East Room of the White House this evening, I'm delighted to share a few photos from the State Dinner Preview held this afternoon (please excuse the amateur photography!). The theme of the evening is "A Fall Harvest Dinner," as produce grown in the White House Kitchen garden is being used in the menu constructed by Executive Chef Cris Comerford and Executive Pastry Chef William Yosses.
The fall harvest concept appears to have directed the decor as well, which features an autumnal palette of oranges, reds, and greens. Centerpieces include apples mixed with chrysanthemums -- the latter being a sign of a productive and fruitful life in Korean culture.
Dinner
First Course: Butternut Squash Bisque, Honey Poached Cranberries, Virginia Cured Ham, Pumpkin Seed Praline, Creme Fraiche
Second Course: Early Fall Harvest Salad on Daikon Sheets, Masago Rice Pearl Crispies, Rice Wine Vinaigrette
Main Course: Texas Wagyu Beef, Orange-Ginger Fondue, Sauteed Kale, Roasted Kabocha Squash
Dessert: Chocolate Malt Devils Food Layers with Pear and Almond Brittle.
An American wine will be paired with each course.
Entertainment
The White House will host entertainment in the State Dining Room following the dinner in the East Room, featuring performances by the Ahn Trio and selections by Janelle Monae.
Reader Comments (25)
Just stunning!! So intimate and warm. Love the palette and the very natural feel of everything. It seems like this room is smaller than I imagined.
Your photos are great, Mrs. T. And what an exciting experience to be in that room previewing all the details. I'd be absolutely awestruck.
Thanks so much Mrs. T. The photos are great and we all enjoyed your day along with you. I love the purple gown.
I am so thrilled for you, Mrs. T!! Everything's just so fairytale-like:-)
Absolutely love it! Bringing the the beauty of nature inside with sophistication and style. With every state dinner, the touches of nature has just been pure bliss.
Oh Mrs T, I am choked with pride for you. What an amazing experience. The room looks delightful. I love the theme and the menu....wow !!!
I am awestruck! If I were there I would have forgotten to take the pictures. Good thing it was you, Mrs. T; you took pictures for all of us. Thank you. What an unforgettable experience. I think I just previewed (sort of) my Thanksgiving menu & decor. Love Mrs. O.com!
Sumptuous sounding menu...very much in keeping with the season. Mrs. T you worked that camera quite well.gorgeous....
Wow, breathtaking Fall colors and I love the use of the apples. The White House chefs must love working with the White House garden to make seasonal meals. The menu sounds divine. Just beautiful.
I would give a tooth, a finger-anything!-to be there!!
Just kidding, but this inspires so much pride in our country and this presidency that I could cry!
Oooo, you were brave. I think I'd've been sick with excitement and been shown the door!!!! Beautiful photos of an imaginatively designed room. And so restrained. When you think about it and look at the materials, it's been done very economically but it has such style.
Dazzling! Thanks so much for posting this, Mrs. T.
Thank you so much for this fine reporting. I am so glad that your faithfulness with this site has garnered important credentials for you. If it were not for you and your meticulous reporting there is a lot of activity in the Obama administration, particularly the activities of Mrs Obama, about which we would know nothing. You really are the first line for reporting about the State Dinner and the inside story of that State Dinner. You really deserve an invitation to the next State Dinner. Thank You for every installment!
Thank you Mrs. T our on site Paparazzi!!!
A perfect early fall palette and the menu sounds scrumptious!
Sumptuous, elegant and warm, all at the same time. I've visited the White House once. What struck me was how much smaller it looks in person. You've seen so many pictures of the East Room and just imagine this huge ballroom, and while it's far from a closet, it's really just not as big as I'd imagined.
I mean, it's fabulous and the history is just breathtaking. Looking at the dinner set-up, it's also got to be pretty cozy. Careful moving around would definitely be the order of the day!!!
Oh, and the menu!! Yum, yum, yummy, scrumptious!! I would eat a thing all day in preparation for the feast.
I wouln't eat a thing... I tried to revise it, but it didn't seem to take. Oh well. I also forgot to mention how cool it must have been for Mrs T. to be there!! Wow!! What an experience!!!
I'm so touched by these comments! Thanks for all of the words of support, in this comment thread and the one before. It was an absolute thrill of a day. There is something truly quite magical about the White House. I'm so happy and grateful to have had the chance to experience it all firsthand. I owe much of the opportunity to all of you, for it's surely this vibrant little community that made the credentials possible. It was quite surreal to be stationed in the media risers next to reporters from CNN and NPR, each armed with serious camera and recording equipment. And then there was me, the gal from the Mrs. O blog with her trusty Canon point and shoot!
Hope everyone is having a great start to the weekend. xo Mrs. T
The little blog that could and has and will continue to do great things in honoring a great Lady that I love so much.
Dear Mrs. T.,
Your photos are EXQUISITE! You and your Canon point & shoot did a wonderful job of capturing the ambiance. Thank you! I am so glad you had the opportunity and that you shared your experience with us. You, this blog and this community are an important part of my daily online life. I am truly grateful for all that you do for us!
Hey Mrs T. I must gush at your photos again...that last shot of the chandelier.. the reflection of light...it looks like Autumn leaves on a wet sidewalk....again you did a great job with your camera!
Love the decorations and you captured the warmth so well. The menu looks fantastic; love the fall veggies--kale, squash, etc.--playing a key role. Thank you for giving us a front-row peak!
Mrs. T , you did an outstanding job! Thanks so much for sharing your magical experience with us. The pictures convey a warm and elegant mood to the evening. I'm hoping that this is just the beginning of many more invites to come, more reporting and more pictures from you. (Greedy, I know!) You deserve it.
@ Alisa, I agree that the use of the White House Grden's apples was such a good idea. That menu does sound delicious, doesn't it? I like how the colors seems to play off each other. Those volunteer decorators are no joke. They know what they are doing, that's for sure!
Good thing the price of admission was not a first born son because I would've been eyeballing my boy!
To Our Dear Mrs. T
First of all let me again say thank you! You have created a smart, lively, and fun site. And you did this while maintaining a marriage, a career, continuing your education, etc, etc.
Secondly, I am so happy, excited, and proud for you! The invite to the White House could not have gone to a better, more resourceful, reporter than you.
The articles and the pictures are great. Mrs. O is stunningly beautiful. And South Korean First Lady Mrs. Kim Yoon-ok (Mrs. KY-o) looks lovely too.
You Rock Mrs. T!
Peace.
Again with the Wagyu Beef? Seems a bit elitist with all the OWS shenanigans going on.
Mrs. T,
This is absolutely wonderful!! I barely comment but I've been following your blog since the campaign trail. You hear about State Dinners but I must admit this is the first time in my life that I've been looking on a blog for all the behind the scenes action. I feel like such a Victorian Era throwback now... with the proper guest list, gowns, and etiquette.... How exciting for you to be invited to the White House!!!! I'm SO living vicariously through you right now!! This is beyond amazing.
The color palette is awesome. I love the idea of the edible arrangement with the use of the green apples. It's really fresh and lively. Everything seems so crisp and clean. Side Note: I wouldn't be surprised if we see this as a wedding trend in the next couple of seasons.
Go Mrs. T Go!!!!