US

Apple pie and lobster highlight dinner

Updated: 2011-01-20 13:44

By Wu Jiao and Zhang Yuwei (China Daily)

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WASHINGTON/NEW YORK - In the first state dinner that the White House has hosted for a Chinese leader since 1997, there was a distinctly all-American menu with subtle Chinese touches in decor.

The menu, at the request of President Hu Jintao's delegation, featured vegetables from the White House's kitchen garden, presented American classics like poached Maine lobster, dry-aged rib eye steak, apple pie ala mode and had wines from the states of Washington and California.

A-list stars performed at the dinner, including trumpeter Chris Botti, jazz singers Dee Dee Bridgewater and Dianne Reeves, jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and Chinese pianist Lang Lang.

Prior to US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama's state dinner for President Hu on Wednesday night, the last time the White House hosted a state dinner for the Chinese was when then president Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton welcomed then president Jiang Zemin and his wife Wang Yeping.

In 2006, president George W. Bush hosted a lunch at the White House for President Hu.

On Wednesday night, over 200 guests were invited. In attendance were actor Jackie Chan; James Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase & Co; Walt Disney CEO Robert Iger; and former US presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, among others. Members of Obama's Cabinet included Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

There were also some Chinese elements at the dinner. The color yellow was seen throughout the cocktails area and linens were decorated with a phoenix motif, the legendary bird in Chinese folklore.

Unlike other state dinners that relied on celebrity chefs, the Obamas had in-house executive chef Cristeta Comerford and Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses in charge.

Hu and Obama had a busy day that included a meeting with business leaders and a press conference. Earlier in the day, the White House announced an agreement between the US and China on a package of deals worth $45 billion, including a $19 billion deal to purchase Boeing aircraft.

Hu will visit Chicago on Thursday and Friday.

Agencies contributed to this story.

China Daily

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