With glass and silk butterflies enhancing the ambiance and a delectable blistered shishito pepper butter generously spread over the rib-eye steak, President Joe Biden graciously hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his wife at a magnificent state dinner held at the White House on Wednesday.
State dinners are frequently seen as a glamorous tactic in the realm of diplomacy, where the art of charm is employed to forge stronger alliances with both friends and foes alike.
Preparations had been in progress for some time to get ready for the meeting. Just a week before the guests were expected to arrive, a noticeable banner featuring both the U.S. and Japanese flags was displayed on the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, situated adjacent to the West Wing. On Tuesday, First lady Jill Biden got a sneak peek of the menu and the decorations, which aimed to honor and highlight the strong bond between the two nations. The State Floor underwent a beautiful transformation, resembling a lively spring garden.
What was the décor like at the state dinner?
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Guests enjoyed sitting amidst a vibrant field of flowers, with glass and silk butterflies gracefully fluttering over their tables, as the first lady described the enchanting spring garden theme.
She remarked that the elegant flight of the birds serves as a constant reminder that our nations navigate the winds of change hand in hand, as partners in both peace and prosperity.
As guests entered the Cross Hall, a spacious hallway on the first floor of the White House, they were greeted by a vibrant display of purple, pink, and blue hydrangeas. These beautiful flowers, native to both Japan and the United States, reached impressive heights of up to six feet. Adding to the enchanting ambiance, the floor was adorned with a captivating depiction of koi, symbolic of friendship, peace, luck, and perseverance.
The Japanese-American fusion took the lead in the three-course meal.
During the preview, Executive Chef Cris Comerford of the White House revealed that the first course took inspiration from the American California roll. The dish consisted of a delightful combination of house-cured salmon, avocados, red grapefruit, watermelon radish, and cucumber.
The main course delighted the guests with a succulent dry-aged rib-eye steak accompanied by a flavorful blend of blistered shishito pepper butter, fricassée of fava beans, morels, and cipollini. To add a touch of richness, the dish was complemented by a luscious sesame oil sabayon.
The guests indulged in a delightful assortment of desserts, including a delectable salted caramel pistachio cake, a rich matcha ganache, creamy cherry ice cream, and a luscious raspberry drizzle.
As Grammy-award-winning singer Paul Simon entertained the guests, the dinner was served on china that had been acquired during the administrations of Presidents George W. Bush and Lyndon B. Johnson.
Who were some of the famous guests at the state dinner?
Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, actor Robert DeNiro, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, Olympic champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, Apple CEO Tim Cook, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell were among the guests at the soiree.
Gifts for the Japanese prime minister and wife
The president and first lady gifted the Japanese prime minister with a unique three-legged table. Handcrafted by a Japanese American owned company in Pennsylvania, this 17-inch table is made from American black walnut wood. This wood is highly esteemed and native to North America. To commemorate the official visit, the table will feature a plaque.
In addition to the autographed guitar, President Biden also presented a custom framed lithograph and a two-volume LP set to the recipient. These special gifts were personally signed by the renowned musician Billy Joel.
During a recent announcement, Kishida revealed that Japan has generously gifted an additional 250 cherry trees to the United States. This act of kindness echoes their previous gesture over a century ago when they gifted 3,000 cherry trees, which have since become a symbol of spring in Washington D.C. The new cherry trees will be planted around the picturesque Tidal Basin, further enhancing its natural beauty.
In 2026, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This gift serves as a tribute to this momentous occasion.
President Biden expressed that these trees, much like our friendship, are timeless, inspiring, and thriving.
In his toast during the dinner, Kishida expressed, “We find ourselves at a pivotal moment in history, as we set forth on a new frontier, guided by the unwavering bond between Japan and the United States, aiming to reach even greater heights and pass it on to the next generation.”
