Michelle Obama Gears Up for Indian State Dinner
By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
In picking India as the guest nation for the Obama administration's first state visit, the president and first lady have done the easy work. Now come the tense, grueling chores of choosing a menu, floral arrangements, a gown for the first lady, and entertainers to cap the first couple's inaugural state dinner. And virtually all of that is on the shoulders of Michelle Obama.
"A state dinner is so much more like a Broadway play than a dinner," says former White House chef Walter Scheib, who worked for Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. "People will be watching closely for Mrs. Obama's personal style of entertaining," he says.
The timing could be tricky. The November 24 date is just two days before Thanksgiving, another flashpoint for the first lady's holiday entertaining style. And it's right before the White House begins decorating for Christmas.
Scheib, who's played a leading role in many state dinners, tells Whispers that by now the planning for the visit has started. Practice for the arrival ceremony has been set, details of the bilateral talks are being drafted, and menus are being suggested. He said the kitchen staff will start with a briefing book from the State Department detailing the dietary preferences of the guests; foods they like and don't like or can't eat for reasons such as religious prohibitions will be fully considered. "The menu will reflect the needs and wants of the guest country," says Scheib, who runs a business re-creating White House dinners and giving talks about life in the Bush and Clinton East Wings.
Scheib recalls that former first lady Laura Bush was very involved in picking the final menu and would conduct several taste tests with about 20 friends. He called it a White House version of TV's Iron Chef. Then she'd pick the winner. Hillary Clinton, who as secretary of state now will handle the diplomatic issues for her first state visit in her new role, delegated more to key staffers and would "cut and paste" parts of different menus he'd offer up to her.
He thinks that his replacement, chef Cris Comerford , and the Obamas' Chicago chef, assistant White House chef Sam Kass, are already consulting with the first lady on the menu.
But it's more than food, he adds. Other key elements are choosing the china, wines, flowers, and cutlery. And here it can all come down to color, specifically the color Mrs. Obama picks for her dress. Starting with that, the planners will then choose flower, tablecloth, and china hues—and even the color of the first course, he says. "It really can be influenced by the choice of the cloth picked by some designer up in New York," he says.
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Tags: India | White House | Barack Obama | Michelle Obama
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Reader Comments
First State Dinner
Again, we have to listen to the comments of citizens who accuse the Obama's of jealousy of Bush. Why should they be jealous of them? Bush got us in the mess we are in. Obama is trying to get us out of it. I would not let anyone make me so mean and hateful. This is the greatest country in the world and others outside of this country realize such. An African-American for President pains those on the inside but helps our image on the outside among other countries. Arrogance you say? Who was more arrogant than Bush?
State Dinner
Don't expect to see the beautiful Bush China, I think Obamas jealously of the Bush family will show on the table. I am sure Michelle is trying to get Obama China together, as it takes years, since they will only be in the White House One Term.
I think her sappy self serving speech about her father was actually a downer, they tried to make it ALL about them. As critics have said, his telepromter just didn't work...this time..again.This is the most arrogant President we have ever had. Social Security cannot afford to give a COLA, but Obama can waste over a million dollars on a nine hour flight.
I guess we know where his priorities are.
By the way, I thought he said he would be going back to Chicago every 6 weeks. that was his 'Kennebunkport"..I think his Kennebunkport is Martha's Vineyard, expensive dinners in New York, and about town in Washington.
No Lobbyist? Shall we count then.
Czars? Shall we count them.
Do some more Lettermen, How about SNL? Obama is in the wrong place, He should run for Governor of California..
Axelrod and Gibbs are Sad...What a mess our country is in..
Never Dismiss The Power Of A Little Break.
Every body needs a break, Although being poor and un able to own a horse and travel the country side in somewhat peace and security with a pistol on my side and a rifle on my saddle, Makes me spend more time on the Internet instead of enjoying the freedoms that big business took from us(And they wonder why we are heavyand unhealthy).
As I understand it these dinners can be important, and even if they are not, it will clear the presidents mind of other issues so when he revisits those issues he may have the answer he was looking for.
Never dismiss the power of a little break.
If I remember right president Bush took more vacation time than any president, of course this is not mentioned on “about the presidents” on the white house page (http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/georgewbush/).
We do need to keep A close watch of our government weather we are republican, democrat, independent or other party. We need to send email of support or concerns to “http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/” So we can keep the president on his toes.
He reads what he can, but the most important thing is, They are organized by subject and counted so even if the president does not get to your email right away the numbers of the emails on a particular subject does.
Don D. Brock
White house response page: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
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