Dinner is Served
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a State Dinner
White House state dinners offer the most glamorous American hospitality. Served when a U.S. president hosts another leader during a state visit, the formal dinners also put diplomacy on the menu. “It isn’t just about food and entertainment, but about keeping America’s alliances together,” says Matthew Costello, senior historian at the White House Historical Association.
The dinners bring allies and even adversaries closer. They celebrate triumphs too, such as in 1979, when President Jimmy Carter hosted the leaders of Israel and Egypt after they signed a peace treaty.
From left, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin raise a toast at a White House state dinner March 27, 1979. (© AP)
From left, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin raise a toast at a White House state dinner March 27, 1979. (© AP)
The first state dinner was served in 1874, when President Ulysses S. Grant hosted the last king of Hawaii, David Kalākaua. There have been more than 300 since. Ronald Reagan takes the prize for hosting the most — 59 during his presidency. Not all state dinners hosted by the White House are served there. For instance, the Reagans hosted a state dinner (according to Reagan’s diary) at the M.H. de Young Museum in San Francisco, and the Kennedys once hosted at Mount Vernon, the Virginia home of George Washington.
Are you ready to experience a state dinner? Throughout, you will respond to questions that many a White House staffer or VIP invitee contemplates leading up to one of these historic events. Your decisions may unlock some surprises and put you front and center in the White House dining room.
How will you help?
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When the White House holds a state dinner, it’s all hands on deck. Staff from several agencies handle everything from selecting flowers to planning transportation. Every decision is made keeping the social customs of a visiting leader in mind. On the evening of the dinner, military social aides escort invited guests and answer their questions.
Ready to pitch in? Whose job will you do?
White House florist
White House florist
Executive chef
Executive chef
White House social secretary
White House social secretary
Chief usher
Chief usher
U.S. Marine Band director
U.S. Marine Band director
What will you wear?
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High fashion is often on display at state dinners. The first lady, in particular, dresses to make a statement, often in support of U.S. fashion designers.
At the 2022 dinner honoring French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte , first lady Jill Biden wore a dress by Oscar de la Renta, an American fashion house that has dressed first ladies since Jacqueline Kennedy. Young American designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim custom-made Jill Biden’s dress.
For his part, the president wears a tuxedo. (First lady Michelle Obama joked that her husband wore the same one to every state dinner during his two terms.)
During the Kennedy administration, invitations changed from indicating white tie (the most formal) to black tie (formal, but somewhat less so and therefore more comfortable, according to invited congressmen at the time). Presidents since have at times reverted to white tie.
What sartorial choice, among these true-life examples, will you make in dressing for dinner?
A black business suit
A black business suit
Racing flag socks
Racing flag socks
An asymmetrical purple gown
An asymmetrical purple gown
Elbow-length white gloves
Elbow-length white gloves
A black gown with flowered sleeves
A black gown with flowered sleeves
Where will you sit?
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With input from the president and first lady, the White House Social Office creates the guest list, sends invitations and assigns seats. Officials from both countries are at the heart of any seating arrangement, with the U.S. vice president and Supreme Court justices at or near the head table. Celebrities from the worlds of film, sports, music and fashion are interspersed, helping to guarantee interesting conversation. Members of the working press cover it all.
With whom will you sit?
Oprah Winfrey, media mogul
Oprah Winfrey, media mogul
Amy Carter, first daughter
Amy Carter, first daughter
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
George Clooney, actor/producer
George Clooney, actor/producer
The press
The press
What will you eat?
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Presidents, just like cooks, know that food is central to good relationships. That’s why six months before a state dinner, the president and first lady ask the White House executive chef and pastry chef to begin preparations for a multicourse meal of sumptuous American dishes.
The menu typically includes references to the guest of honor’s home, a way to emphasize goodwill between two nations (or between the U.S. and a territory). When President Bill Clinton hosted British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1998, pastry chef Roland Mesnier baked chocolate cookies shaped like Big Ben. And when President Biden hosted French President Emmanuel Macron in 2022, American artisanal cheeses — including an award-winning blue cheese, sure to please French palates — were served as a pre-dessert course.
What will you have as a main course?
Halibut
Halibut
Roast sirloin of beef
Roast sirloin of beef
Leg of Lamb
Leg of Lamb
Let’s skip the state dinner and eat hot dogs
Let’s skip the state dinner and eat hot dogs
Will you dance?
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Music is “wall to wall” at state dinners: Guests hear it as they come in, as they leave and at many moments in between. After state dinners, highly popular performers entertain.
The intimate setting allows for spontaneity. At the 2022 dinner for French President Emmanuel Macron, jazz musician Jon Batiste invited the Marine Band to stay on stage, creating an unplanned, special collaboration. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s wife, Peng Liyuan, a singer in her own right, sang along with R&B singer Ne-Yo. (White House social secretary Deesha Dyer had booked Ne-Yo, knowing Peng loved his music.)
Other performers who have graced the White House stage include singer Stevie Wonder, singer Wayne Newton (who also played the guitar, banjo and violin), the cast of a Broadway production of The Lion King musical and ballet dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Dinner’s over. Which show will you choose to enjoy?
Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Pablo Casals
Pablo Casals
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald
Jon Batiste
Jon Batiste
Since the first state dinner a century and a half ago, American presidents have taken their hosting duties seriously — showcasing American hospitality and culture in order to forge lasting connections with our international partners.
Well, it’s getting late, and things seem to be winding down. Perhaps it's time to say good night. Dinner was great, though. Wouldn’t you agree?
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama talk and look out at the foggy evening as they wait for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s motorcade to depart after the state dinner November 24, 2009. (White House/Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama talk and look out at the foggy evening as they wait for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s motorcade to depart after the state dinner November 24, 2009. (White House/Pete Souza)
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