Obamas Host State Dinner Mexican Style!
The White House - Washington, DCThe President, Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama held their second state dinner last night at the White House, welcoming Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala to a night of Mexican extravagance! The more than 200 invited guests, including diplomats, White House officials and celebrities, including the fabulous Eva Longoria-Parker, Gayle King, George Lopez graced the night with colorful and sophisticated numbers.
At the State Dinner, the tables featured boldly striped linens in hues of blue, intended to resemble ripples of water, the White House said. Floral centerpieces featured gilded handmade woven baskets, with bouquets of fuchsia flowers, including roses, orchids and prickly pear cactus.
The dinner menu was created by chef Rick Bayless known for winning Top Chef Masters. He is founder of Chicago's Frontera Grill and Topolobampos which had been a regular stop for Mrs. Obama when she lived in Chicago. Guests dined on jicama and fruit in a citrus vinaigrette and ceviche of Hawaiian opah, followed by Oregon beef in Oaxacan black mole with black bean tamalon and grilled green beans.Dessert was a chocolate cajeta tart with toasted homemade marshmallows, graham cracker crumble and goat cheese ice cream.
Another 100 guests were invited for dessert and entertainment on the South Lawn. A tent was resurrected and decorated with a spectacular display of Monarch Butterflies. The Monarchs migrate between Mexico and Canada, passing through the United States, and were the perfect symbol of the cross-border relationship that Calderon and Obama want to develop. Tables in the tent were decorated in varying shades of oranges and greens, with a bouquet of marzipan and chocolate flowers roses, the national flower of the United States, and dahlias, the national flower of Mexico.The fabulous Beyonce performed as well as Rodrigo y Gabriela and the U.S. Marine Band.
images: Fabiano/EPA/Pool, Miller for News, Brendan Smialowski-Getty Images, Marvin Joseph-Washington Post
Another 100 guests were invited for dessert and entertainment on the South Lawn. A tent was resurrected and decorated with a spectacular display of Monarch Butterflies. The Monarchs migrate between Mexico and Canada, passing through the United States, and were the perfect symbol of the cross-border relationship that Calderon and Obama want to develop. Tables in the tent were decorated in varying shades of oranges and greens, with a bouquet of marzipan and chocolate flowers roses, the national flower of the United States, and dahlias, the national flower of Mexico.The fabulous Beyonce performed as well as Rodrigo y Gabriela and the U.S. Marine Band.
