Australian culinary culture skipped in White House dinner

Pomp and ceremony for the prime minister's four day stay in Washington D.C. was toned down in light of international tensions.

Musical group B-52's, who were initially booked to play at the October 25 dinner, were invited instead as guests in favour of the presidential military band.

"We are now in a time when so many are facing sorrow and pain," first lady Dr Jill Biden said.

"So we've made a few adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening."

Dr Biden said Australia's "vibrant" spring and the "crisp American autumn" inspired the menu but few signs of springtime Down Under were present in the three course meal.

The meal, prepared by North Carolina chef and Tapas bar owner Katie Button, features autumnal root vegetable dishes and a list of American wines.

Guests at the dinner start with a farro and roasted beet salad with popped sorghum and herb vinaigrette.

The first course also includes a butternut squash soup with smoked paprika and candied pumpkin seeds.

This dish was featured in Chef Button's 2016 cookbook Curate: Authentic Spanish Cuisine from an American Kitchen.

The main course consists of sarsaparilla-braised short ribs, sorghum-glazed young carrots and Brussels sprouts with celery root puree and carrot jus.

For dessert Chef Button served a hazelnut and chocolate mousse cake with crème fraiche ice-cream.

Wines served at the dinner from west coast wineries, Windracer, Sequel and Argyle, even included an American sparkling wine.

"Food is comforting, reassuring and healing. And we hope that this dinner provides a little of that as well," Dr Biden said.

The extensive guest list included Australian performers Vance Joy and Kid Laroi as well as Taryn Brumfitt and Dr Zali Yager

Australia ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd and Thérèse Rein were also in attendance.

Actor John Leguizamo and his wife attended the Australian dinner as did vice president Kamala Harris.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol visited The White House on April 24 for a state dinner created by Chef Edward Lee.

"Perhaps nothing better represents the harmony of our cultures than the guest chef who has designed our menu," Dr Biden said in April.

"His style of cuisine reflects his Korean family and the influence of his New York upbringing and Kentucky home.

"Chef Lee creates meals that are both familiar and surprising, a fusion of different worlds that finds a perfect balance," she said.

A pioneering plant-based chef was booked to create a "stunning vegetarian menu" when Indian prime minister Narendra Modi sat down with President Biden at The White House on June 21, 2023, Dr Biden said in June.

Though guests could opt for fish as their main course, she said.

When former prime minister Scott Morrison visited The White House in 2021 he was served a reduced menu of sunchoke ravioli with Reggiano cream and shaved summer vegetables.

His main course was roasted dover sole with parsley crisps and fennel mousseline, zucchini squash blossoms and baby garlic rouille.

His dessert course was a lady apple tart served with calvados ice-cream.