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oi-Prakash KL
US First Lady Jill Biden has revealed the menu for the State Dinner for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scheduled for Thursday.
Jill Biden has worked with guest Chef Nina Curtis, White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison to develop the menu for the State Dinner.
Guests will have the option to add fish to their main course as well, the First Lady said.
Indian Prime Minister is visiting the US from June 21-24 at the invitation of President Joe Biden and the First Lady.
What’s On The Menu
The first course includes Marinated Millet and Grilled Corn Kernel Salad; Compressed Watermelon and Tangy Avocado Sauce. While the main course includes Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms and Creamy Saffron-infused Risotto. It also has Sumac-roasted Sea Bass; Lemon-Dill Yogurt Sauce; Crisped Millet Cakes and Summer Squashes.
It will be attended by over 400 guests.
Millets Included In The Menu
Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to promote millets, First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden, has included millet-based dishes in the State Dinner to be held in his honour.
#WATCH | First Lady of the US, Jill Biden gives details on the State Dinner that will be hosted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“…Tomorrow night, guest will walk across the South Lawn into a pavilion draped in rich greens with saffron-coloured flowers at every table — the… pic.twitter.com/oNgrXgAHjw
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023
“After dinner, we will have the opportunity to hear one of our nation’s incredible talents – Grammy award winner Joshua Bell. His performance will be followed by Penn Masala – a South Asian acapella group from the University of Pennsylvania who are bringing a little piece of my hometown to the White House along with songs inspired by the sounds of India..,” said Jill Biden.
The State Dinner will take place in a pavilion on the South Lawn draped in greens and saffron, honouring the colours of the Indian flag and the strength and heritage they represent, according to a report in PTI.
According to her, the transparent sides will feature vibrant colors symbolizing “the resilience and rich legacy of our nation.” These colors will encompass the iconic landmarks and symbols of our democracy and history, including the White House and the Washington Monument.
“When you step inside, you will discover a collection of cozy and distinctive table arrangements. Our aim is to create an intimate ambiance where every guest feels personally attended to. Following the delightful dinner, we have a special treat in store for you: a performance by the immensely talented Joshua Bell, a Grammy award winner,” she expressed.
Washington, DC | At a media preview at the White House, ahead of the State Dinner that will be hosted for PM Narendra Modi, dishes that will be served have been put on display.
The menu will include Marinated Millet and Grilled Corn Kernel Salad among other dishes. pic.twitter.com/ScA7ojdbYd
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023
His performance will be followed by that of Penn Masala, a group from the University of Pennsylvania, along with songs inspired by the sounds of India, Jill Biden said. “Finally, after the last plates are cleared, with new connections forged and old ones strengthened, guests will end their evening walking across a moonlit lawn. There they will be greeted by hundreds of glowing lanterns guiding them home, illuminating their pathway with all the warmth and love and laughter we hope they take away from our time together,” she said.
#WATCH | Guest Chef Nina Curtis gives details on the State Dinner that will be hosted for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“…We are very excited that India is leading efforts to celebrate the international year of millet. We have incorporated marinated millets into our menu” she… pic.twitter.com/Ts0Smq6TN7
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023
White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo, previewing the State Dinner, said the First Lady has been involved in this event at every step. Every element of the dinner and decor has been chosen to make each guest’s experience personal and warm, Elizondo said. “The inspiration for our design really began with the peacock, India’s national bird. From the invitations to the programmes to the pavilion, we wanted to evoke that breathtaking feeling when it extends its tail, unveiling its colourful beauty, majesty, and strength,” the official said.
“Green draping will flow from the ceiling, giving way to tables cloaked in the saturated blues and greens of Indian silks, falling onto a carpet of navy blue. The hues, not only a nod to our guests, but also to our host, as blue and green are also two of Dr (Jill) Biden’s favourite colours,” Elizondo said.
First Lady of the US Jill Biden worked with guest Chef Nina Curtis, White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison to develop the menu for the State Dinner to be hosted for PM Modi. The dishes were displayed at a media preview at… pic.twitter.com/eOZChjdr6W
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023
Each table will feature an arrangement of blooms in vases large and small, and the colour of the flowers mirrors the saffron of India’s flag and the heritage it represents, he said.
The social secretary said as leaders have done at State Dinners for decades, the President and the Prime Minister will give their toasts from an eagle lectern.
“For this dinner, embossed on the rich forest green backdrop behind them, we have replicated that iconic eagle and a peacock in the same style, framing the leaders with their national birds. In the peacock’s talons, stalks of millets, a nod to India’s successful campaign to declare 2023 the International Year of Millets,” he said.
Elizondo said around them are lotus flowers that are important symbols in India. “Their gleaming petals reminding us, that each day, our nations bloom stronger and more radiant, together. Throughout the space, you will see more images of lotuses, their design inspired by the mandala illustrations found in traditional Indian art,” he added.
#WATCH | Washington, DC | “After dinner, we will have the opportunity to hear one of our nation’s incredible talents – Grammy award winner Joshua Bell. His performance will be followed by Penn Masala – a South Asian acapella group from the University of Pennsylvania who are… pic.twitter.com/4EI3RUDzVQ
— ANI (@ANI) June 21, 2023
The design, he said, also reflects the First Lady’s love of candles, their timeless elegance and their approachable warmth.
Guests will be guided to the pavilion by their flickering light, just visible in the fading sunlight. The dinner itself will be lit with sparkling candlelight, the official said. Elizondo said dishes in the menu will mirror the decor, infusing the cuisine with Indian flavours and culture, like millets and saffron.
Chef Curtis then worked with the First Lady and White House chefs to create the delicious cuisine for the evening, he said. Chef Curtis said this is definitely a pinnacle moment in her career. “It is truly a pleasure to be able to work with the First Lady and help her to bring her culinary vision to life… we have curated a menu that really showcases the best in American cuisine and also then seasoned with Indian elements and flavours,” she said.
“We are also very excited that India is leading efforts to celebrate the international year of the millets. We have incorporated marinated millets into our menu and the Indian cuisine elements throughout the menu,” the chef said.
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