To celebrate Chinese President Xi Jinping, First Lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump are preparing a special feast. The state dinner marks Xi’s first visit to the United States in over a decade. The meal will underscore “American ingredients with subtle Chinese influence, bringing the culinary traditions of both nations together” per the Washington Examiner. Melania Trump curated the entire menu herself. She wants to show how the two nations can mix their food styles.
The event takes place in the White House’s East Room. The Trump ballroom is still being built nearby, so they are using the East Room instead. The room will be covered in red to create an “expression of warmth and celebration” according to reports. Urns will be “overflowing” with red blossoms. Tables will feature rich red linens and fresh flowers like dahlias. The Reagan State Service will set the table for the guests.
The dinner starts with a toast using Schramsberg Blanc de Noir. This wine choice pays tribute to the historic “Toast to Peace” from 1972. That was when President Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai met in Beijing. “The same American sparkling wine served at that historic gathering continues to be enjoyed at White House functions today” the First Lady’s office told the Washington Examiner. There is a small note about the wine type from 1972, but the current plan is clear.
The first course is yellow squash velouté with wild mushrooms. It has crispy pancetta and a drizzle of scallion oil. According to the Daily Wire, the soup emphasizes the sweetness of seasonal yellow squash. Earthy flavors and fresh herbs are contributed by the mushroom fricassée. A smoky, savory element is supplied by the crispy pancetta. The scallion oil adds a bright finish to the dish. The second course is sesame-crusted sea bass with baby bok choy and eggplant. While keeping the interior tender, the sea bass will receive a nutty crust from a coating of toasted sesame seeds.
Entertainment includes a performance by tenor Christopher Macchio. He is President Trump’s favorite singer. Music by “The President’s Own” will also play. The guest list is packed with big names from tech and business. Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and Tim Cook are all on the list. Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang are coming too. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Citi CEO Jane Fraser will be there as well.
Xi and his wife Peng will arrive from the Waldorf Astoria. They will skip the usual Blair House for a private tea first. To mark the 250th anniversary, a senior official cited by the Washington Examiner said they plan to go to the National Archives to see some of the United States’ most important founding documents. Melania Trump noted the effort involved. “There is a lot of details that comes in to plan the state dinner,” she remarked. She added, “There is protocol that you need to follow. Every detail I was involved [in] from tomorrow.” The dinner brings American food and Chinese history together for one night.
