Video: Chef Comerford Previews The State Dinner

A spotlight on locally sourced vegetables in a menu "conceived by" First Lady & Top Toque...
In a video filmed today in the very busy White House kitchen, Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford talks about tonight's menu for the State Dinner in honor of President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea. The menu was "conceived by" First Lady Michelle Obama and Comerford, according to the White House. Click here for a full post about the menu. (Above: Comerford holds green and red lettuces from the Kitchen Garden, used in the second-course salad).

Comerford discusses local and regional sourcing for the ingredients--produce from Mrs. Obama's Kitchen Garden, Wagyu rib-eye steaks from an unnamed Texas cattle ranch--and gives a behind-the-scenes look at how she pulls together a lavish diplomatic event for more than 200 guests.


Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses is also in the video, and he talks about his decadent dessert, "Chocolate Malt Devils Food Layers." Click here for a post about the place settings and East Room decor. The full guest list is here and a video of guest arrivals is here.

State Dinner Menu

In Honor Of
President Lee Myung-bak

First Course

Butternut Squash Bisque,

Honey Poached Cranberries, Virginia Cured Ham

Pumpkin Seed Praline, Crème Fraiche

Second Course

Early Fall Harvest Salad on Daikon Sheets

Masago Rice Pearl Crispies

Rice Wine Vinaigrette

Main Course

Texas Wagyu Beef, Orange-Ginger Fondue

Sauteed Kale, Roasted Kabocha Squash

Dessert

Chocolate Malt Devils Food Layers

With Pear and Almond Brittle