Courtney Gould NCA Newswire
A century of friendship and shared values will be front and centre in the decor and the menu for Anthony Albanese’s elaborate state dinner at the White House.
But despite earlier reports, the White House will no longer be turned into the Love Shack after plans to have the 1980s band the B-52s perform were scaled back.
The new wave band were slated to perform on the south lawn but First Lady Jill Biden revealed they will attend as guests only.
‘We are now in a time when so many are facing sorrow and pain. So we made a few adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening,’ she said.
President Joe Biden’s own Marine Band and the Army and Air Force’s strolling strings will now provide ‘instrumental music’ for the dinner.
The White House will welcome Mr Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon for a night of pomp and ceremony as the leaders attend the black-tie dinner.
An all-female team, led by guest chef Katie Button, will prepare a three course meal for the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.
On the menu is a first course of farro and roasted beet salad with popped sorghum, herb vinaigrette; butternut squash soup with smoked paprika, candied pumpkin seeds.
The main course will be Sarsaparilla-braised short ribs; sorghum-glazed young carrots, brussels sprouts, celery root puree, carrot jus.
And for dessert: hazelnut and chocolate mousse cake, creme fraiche ice cream.
Chef Katie Button reveals what Albanese and Joe Biden will be eating at the State Dinner.
Mr Albanese will be treated to a wine list which will include Windracer Chardonnay ‘Alexander Mountain’ 2019; Sequel Syrah Columbia Valley 2019; Argyle Extended Tirage Brut 2012.
Dr Biden said Australia’s ‘vibrant’ spring and the ‘crisp American autumn’ served as inspiration for the dinner.
‘Nurturing our partnerships and relationships with our allies is critically important. Especially in these tumultuous times,’ she said.
‘Food is comforting, reassuring and healing. And we hope that this dinner provides a little of that as well.’
Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon will dine with the US President and the First Lady on Tuesday evening ahead of the state dinner.
Ahead of the meeting, the Prime Minister said the friendship between Australia and the US ‘has stood so tall it even extends beyond our planet’.
‘Like the stars above us, the Australia-US alliance was born in darkness, during the Second World War – but it has lit our way ever since,’ he said at the opening of Australia’s new embassy in Washington.
‘Ours is a true friendship and true friendship is built on honesty – which means we have the strength and the freedom to tell each other what needs to be said, even if there are times when the message isn’t as instantly loveable as an episode of Bluey.’
What will be served:
-A first course of farro and roasted beet salad with popped sorghum, herb vinaigrette; butternut squash soup with smoked paprika, candied pumpkin seeds.
-The main course will be Sarsaparilla-braised short ribs; sorghum-glazed young carrots, brussels sprouts, celery root puree, carrot jus.
-And for dessert: hazelnut and chocolate mousse cake, creme fraiche ice cream.
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