President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are preparing to welcome Kenya to the White House for the first time in nearly 14 years for a state dinner on Thursday, with a menu featuring lavish dishes such as butter-braised lobster and a white chocolate basket with banana ganache, raspberries, peaches and candied lime zest.
The United States considers state dinners to be among the most glamorous events hosted by the White House for visiting heads of government and reigning monarchs, and they have been used in the past to demonstrate diplomatic solidarity.
Biden has invited Kenyan President William Ruto to the White House for a three-day state visit, in recognition of the East African country as a key non-NATO ally.
Kenya will send 1,000 police officers to Haiti as part of a UN-led effort to tackle the security crisis in the country. Kenya is also the first African country to receive an official visit from the United States since 2008.
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A sample table setting with colorful flowers on a sequin tablecloth is seen in a preview of Thursday’s state dinner with Kenya at the White House in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin)
During his visit, Mr. Root and his wife, Rachel Root, will be guests of honor at a black-tie event at the White House.
“[Thursday] “Tonight, we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-Kenya partnership with an elegant dinner under the stars in a nearly all-glass pavilion, gazing up at the only sky we have,” Jill Biden said. “Night is engulfing us outside, but inside, the space is filled with warm pinks and reds as our guests gather by candlelight.”
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The first course was a cold traditional varietal tomato soup with sourdough crisps and arbequina olive oil. White House Executive Chef Chris Comerford gave a media preview ahead of Thursday’s state dinner with Kenyan President William Ruto at the White House in Washington, DC. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin)
The White House, under the direction of the First Lady, organized the event and planned the dinner menu.
To start, we will serve a cold traditional tomato soup accompanied by sourdough crisps and Arbequina olive oil.
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The main course, fruitwood-smoked beef short ribs, butter-braised lobster, citrus butter, baby kale and sweet corn puree, will be introduced by White House Executive Chef Chris Comerford. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin)
We then move on to fruitwood smoked beef short rib and butter poached lobster with citrus butter, baby kale and sweet corn puree.
Desserts include a white chocolate basket with banana ganache, raspberries, peaches and candied lime zest.
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White House executive pastry chef Susie Morrison holds a dessert: a white chocolate basket with banana ganache, raspberries, peaches and candied lime zest. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin)
Three wines will be served with dinner, including Hartford Court Chardonnay from Four Hearts Vineyard, Pinot Noir from St. Innocent Winery, and Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut Sparkling Wine.
First lady Jill Biden gestured upward as she talked about what her state dinner with Kenyan President William Ruto would be like “under the stars.” (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin)
Entertainment will include the Howard Gospel Choir and Brad Paisley, paying homage to President and Mrs. Root’s love of gospel and country music.
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“As our guests leave, I hope they follow our one and only moonlit path and are filled with the same warmth I felt when I visited Kenya — the warmth of enduring friendships that will help create a brighter, more prosperous tomorrow,” Jill Biden said. “Every detail of this state dinner was thoughtfully planned by so many people across our administration, and Joe and I couldn’t have hoped for a better team.”
