Xi-Trump summit: Nod to historic ‘peace toast’, seabass and a lot of Chinese influence, what's on state dinner menu?

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are in Washington for Xi's significant state visit. Along with the Chinese First Lady Peng Liyuan, their delegations, business figures, and government officials are attending the state dinner at the White House. The event will be hosted by Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in the East Room. Melania Trump led the preparations for the dinner.

The state dinner menu blends American ingredients with Chinese influences, symbolizing the diplomatic relations between the two nations. The first course is a sweet yellow squash velouté, prepared with wild mushroom fricassée, crispy smoky pancetta, and scallion oil. For the main dish, guests will enjoy sea bass with a toasted sesame crust, accompanied by braised baby bok choy, roasted garden eggplant, and sauce verte.

The evening concludes with a fruit-shaped dessert featuring vanilla crémeux, a sour cherry center, and walnut frangipane, served alongside ice cream made with White House honey.

The decor features the color red, a symbol of great cultural importance in Chinese history. Several performances, including musical acts by military musicians and tenor Christopher Macchio, are scheduled to entertain the guests. The welcome ceremony includes a red carpet, military honors, gift exchanges, and a troop inspection. The dinner menu aims to honor the historic "Toast to Peace" shared by President Nixon and Premier Zhou Enlai in 1972.

The guest list includes prominent figures like Jeff Bezos, Jensen Huang, and Mark Zuckerberg. The event is a black-tie affair, featuring a red carpet greeting by Trump and Melania, military honors, and an inspection of troops.