http://www.politico.com/story/2014/02/francois-hollande-state-dinner-menu-103339.html?hp=r9 State dinner menu, guests unveiled
By: Lucy McCalmont
February 10, 2014 05:11 PM EST
Joining the president, the first lady and French President François Hollande during Tuesday’s state dinner will be musician Mary J. Blige.
The White House confirmed the singer’s scheduled performance during a walk-through of the event Monday. Blige has been a vocal supporter of President Barack Obama and performed at the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., and was last reportedly seen at the White House as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s 50th birthday celebration last month.
And while the Obamas might be hosting the French president, they will be saying “bon appétit” to what is a traditionally American menu during the state dinner.
The event, to be held in a tent on the South Lawn, according to a menu provided by the White House, “celebrates the best of American cuisine.”
Highlighting food from across the country, menu items include a first course of American Osetra Caviar from Illinois, quail eggs from Pennsylvania and 12 varieties of potatoes from farms in New York, Idaho and California. For the salad course, the White House details a Winter Garden Salad that “pays tribute to The First Lady’s White House Kitchen Garden.”
The main course is a dry-aged rib eye beef from a family-owned farm in Colorado that will be served with Jasper Hill Farm Blue Cheese crisp from Vermont.
Finishing the meal are a selection of sweets. There will be a chocolate malted cake that combines bittersweet chocolate from Hawaii and tangerines from Florida and will be served with vanilla ice cream from Pennsylvania. Additionally, the menu boasts fudge made from Vermont maple syrup, lavender shortbread cookies and cotton candy dusted with orange zest.
A selection of wines priced between $30 to $65 will be offered from California, Washington and Monticello, Va., which both Obama and Hollande visited Monday.