Trump's State Dinner for Xi Jinping Excludes Red Meat

The state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump for Chinese President Xi Jinping featured an exclusively pescatarian menu, notably omitting red meat and any other meat dishes.

The culinary offerings for the distinguished guests began with a yellow squash velouté, accompanied by wild mushroom fricassée, crispy pancetta, and scallion oil. According to the menu, the velouté was designed to highlight delicate seasonal flavors and earthy wild mushrooms, with the pancetta providing a savory contrast and the scallion oil adding brightness.

Following the starter, the second course consisted of sesame-crusted sea bass served with braised bok choy, roasted garden eggplant, and a French green herb sauce. The menu described the sea bass as being delicately prepared with a toasted sesame seed crust, ensuring the fish remained tender. The accompanying vegetables were prepared to have lightly caramelized flavors, and the sauce verte was intended to add vibrancy and acidity.

For dessert, attendees were served vanilla crémeux with a sour cherry confit center, paired with walnut frangipane and an ice cream made with White House honey. The dessert's presentation was described as fruit-shaped, complemented by the delicate ice cream.

The White House has been embracing its own produce, with the First Lady unveiling a beehive on the South Lawn earlier in the year, contributing to the honey used in the dessert.

Entertainment for the evening included American tenor Christopher Macchio, who previously performed at the Republican National Convention, alongside military musicians from the Army and the Marine Corps. The décor for the event featured urns filled with red blossoms and tables draped in red linen with dahlias and ranunculus, reflecting the color's cultural significance in Chinese history.

Following the dinner, both presidents were scheduled to conclude their evening. The following day, Trump was set to take Xi on a tour of the National Archives before the Chinese leader's departure from the United States mid-afternoon.