Modern Flourishes as Obamas Host State Dinner

[babylonsister]

Modern Flourishes as Obamas Host State Dinner

By RACHEL L. SWARNS
Published: November 24, 2009


WASHINGTON — It is an old tradition, a White House dinner governed by ritual and protocol that happens to be this city’s hottest social event. But at their first state dinner on Tuesday night, President Obama and his wife, Michelle, made sure to infuse the glittering gala with distinctive touches.

Luke Sharrett/The New York Times

First Lady Gursharan Kaur of India, First Lady Michelle Obama, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, and President Obama arrived for the state dinner. More Photos »


They hired a new florist, Laura Dowling, who bedecked the tented outdoor dining room with locally grown, sustainably harvested magnolia branches and ivy. They selected a guest chef, Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit in New York, an American citizen who was born in Ethiopia, reared in Sweden and cooks up melting pots of flavors and cuisines.

They invited local students to witness the arrival of the guests of honor, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India and his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and presented a mélange of musical entertainment, including the National Symphony Orchestra; Jennifer Hudson, the singer and actress; Kurt Elling, the jazz musician from Chicago; and A. R. Rahman, the Indian composer who wrote the score to the movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”

And at the tables, the meatless menu included a mix of Indian and American favorites, including some African-American standards. Collard greens and curried prawns, chickpeas and okra, nan and cornbread were served to the 320 guests — including some well-known Republicans and prominent Indian-Americans — who started off with arugula from the White House garden and finished up with pumpkin pie tart. (After a tasting at the White House on Sunday, the Obamas gave the dishes their stamp of approval, Mr. Samuelsson said.)

And don’t forget the dinner plates. For an administration that publicly prizes bipartisanship, what could be finer than an eclectic mix of Clinton and Bush china?

“He wants to set a tone that’s different,” Vishakha N. Desai, a dinner guest and the Indian-born president of the Asia Society, said of the president. “Obama’s celebrating not just his African-American heritage, but the cultural diversity of America. And that’s a powerful message to send to the world.”

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/25/us/politics/25dinner.html?hp

[The Wielding Truth]

1. These things are necessary . It was done with tasteful consideration.

[babylonsister]

2. Yes, they are. And I loved the fact they invited local students; I'm jealous! nt

[MoJoWorkin]

3. And for all of you who say we shouldn't do this in a recession.....

a quote from the above NY Times article:

" Doris Kearns Goodwin, the presidential historian, who noted that Franklin D. Roosevelt’s most famous state dinner — for the king and queen of England — occurred during the Depression"

[Clio the Leo]

4. About that china......

..... I feel compelled to point out that the primary reason they used the Bush china was because there wasn't enough of anything else. Laura bought it last year (as FL's often do when they leave) because they didn't have enough of any other set to really make them usable.

Why I know this, I have NO idea. :)

It's also really purty. lol

(pic)
http://twitpic.com/qryba

[goclark]

5. Excellent post ~ I am so impressed

with their sense of style and grace.

I am so impressed with there ability to inspire young people.
How I would have loved to be in the group of young people that were in the WH that day.

[ensho]

6. all good

nt