A first course of Maryland crab cakes, a main course of braised beef short ribs, and a banana split dessert are shown during a media preview of the state dinner during Wednesday’s visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee to White House on April 24, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Crabcakes, beef short ribs and a deconstructed banana split made the cut for the White House this week state dinner honoring South Korea’s seven-decade relationship with the United States.
first lady Jill Biden and his team previewed the menu and decor on Monday.
Biden said her mother taught her that setting the table can be an “act of love” and that she learned from her husband, President Joe Biden, that “all politics is personal.”
“We hope to bring those two ideas together as we welcome President and Mrs. Kim, honoring 70 years of our alliances with symbols and moments of beauty that reflect both countries,” said the first lady, who talking about President Yoon Suk Yeol and Mrs. Kim Keon Hee.
Some 200 guests are expected at Wednesday’s glamorous black-tie dinner, which will be held in the East Room, the largest room in the executive mansion. Guests will move down the hallway to the State Dining Room to be entertained after dinner by a trio of Broadway stars: Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga and Jessica Vosk.
Guest Chef Edward Lee (center), White House Executive Chef CrisComerford (right), and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison demonstrate dishes that will be served during a media preview of Wednesday’s State Dinner at the White House on Monday, April 24, 2023 .
Demetrius Freeman | The Washington Post | Getty Images
Jill Biden enlists a Korean American celebrity chef Edward Lee to add his special flair to food. Lee’s specialty is the intersection of American cuisine with Korean flavors.
“Chef Lee creates dishes that are both familiar and surprising,” he said. “A fusion of different worlds that finds the perfect balance.”
The crabcake appetizer features what Lee describes as an updated coleslaw of cabbage, kohlrabi, fennel and cucumber topped with a vinaigrette made with gochujang, a red chili paste, and a small bowl of yellow squash soup. The main course, braised beef short ribs topped with sorghum-glazed carrots is served over a bed of grits made from butter beans instead of dried corn.
Dessert is the deconstructed version of the banana split, an American classic, featuring lemon bar ice cream, caramelized banana, fresh berries and mint ginger snap cookie crumble drizzled with caramel sauce topped with doenjang, a fermented soybean paste.
“We really wanted to do spring, something fresh,” said Lee, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, and makes her home in Louisville, Kentucky.
The first course of Maryland crab cakes is shown during a media preview of the state dinner during Wednesday’s visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee to the White House on April 24, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
“I’ve wanted to take some of my favorite American foods and just, tinker with it a little bit, and this is also how I cook in my restaurants. Just add a little bit of Korean touches to it,” added Lee. “It’s not traditional Korean food but just gives you a little hint of Korean flavors.”
Asked which dish was her favorite, the first lady said: “The first one. It’s very American, the crabcake. But I love them all.” He predicted that the president, who loves ice cream, would lean toward dessert.
“Joe’s favorite will be last,” he said.
Guests will be seated at a mix of round tables covered in light blue silk cloth or oblong tables with teal plexiglass tops. Each table was topped with a tall 6-foot (1.8 meter)-tall vase centerpiece filled with blooming cherry blossom branches, along with smaller arrangements of pink orchids and peonies. Azaleas, native to Korea, will decorate the tables at a pre-dinner cocktail reception.
Place settings and flowers are displayed during a media preview of the state dinner during Wednesday’s visit by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee to the White House on April 24, 2023 in Washington, DC .
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Wednesday’s state dinner will be the second of the Biden administration. Biden’s first state dinner was held in December, honoring America’s friendship with France.
The White House worked on the details with Jung Lee, the Korean American founder and creative director of Fete, a New York-based design company.