Courtney Gould NCA Newswire
A century of friendship and shared values will be central to the decor and menu of Anthony Albanese’s lavish state dinner at the White House.
But despite previous reports, the White House will no longer be turned into the Love Shack after plans to feature 1980s band the B-52s were scaled back.
The new wave band was set to perform on the south lawn, but First Lady Jill Biden revealed they will only attend as guests.
“We are now in a time when so many are facing grief and pain. “That’s why we’ve made a few adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening,” she said.
President Joe Biden’s own Marine Band and the strolling string bands of the Army and Air Force will now provide “instrumental music” for the dinner.
The White House welcomes Mr Albanese and partner Jodie Haydon for an evening of pomp and pageantry 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.
The menu includes an appetizer of farro and roasted beet salad with roasted sorghum, herb vinaigrette; pumpkin soup with smoked paprika, candied pumpkin seeds.
The main course consists of short ribs braised in Sarsaparilla; Sorghum-glazed young carrots, Brussels sprouts, celeriac puree, carrot gravy.
And for dessert: hazelnut and chocolate mousse cake, crème fraîche ice cream.
Chef Katie Button reveals what Albanese and Joe Biden will eat at the state dinner.
Dessert is a hazelnut and chocolate mouse cake with crème fraîche ice cream
Mr Albanese will be treated to a wine list including Windracer Chardonnay ‘Alexander Mountain’ 2019; Continued Syrah Columbia Valley 2019; Argyle Extensive Tirage Brut 2012.
Biden said Australia’s “vibrant” spring and “breezy American fall” served as inspiration for the dinner.
“Nurturing our partnerships and relationships with our allies is critical. Especially in these tumultuous times,” she says.
‘Food is comforting, reassuring and healing. And we hope that this dinner will also contribute to that.’
Mr Albanese and Ms Haydon will dine with the US President and 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 is “so great that it extends beyond our planet”.
“Like the stars above us, the Australia-US alliance was born in darkness during World War II, but it has lit our path ever since,” he said at the opening of the new Australian embassy in Washington.
“We have a real friendship and real friendship is built on honesty – which means we have the power and freedom to tell each other what needs to be said, even if there are times when the message isn’t as directly loving as an episode from Bluey.’
What is served:
-A starter of farro and roasted beet salad with roasted sorghum, herb vinaigrette; pumpkin soup with smoked paprika, candied pumpkin seeds.
-The main course consists of short ribs braised in Sarsaparilla; Sorghum-glazed young carrots, Brussels sprouts, celeriac puree, carrot gravy.
-And for dessert: hazelnut and chocolate mousse cake, crème fraîche ice cream.
