<div class="gjw_content"><div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p><strong>WASHINGTON (NEWSnet) —</strong> President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host the sixth state dinner of their term Thursday evening, honoring Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife Rachel Ruto.</p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p>The dinner gathering will take place in a pavilion at the South Lawn of the White House, with up to 500 guests attending.</p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p>[<strong>Earlier Report:</strong> Biden Welcomes Kenya President Ruto for State Visit]</p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p>The first lady and White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo hosted a media preview Wednesday afternoon in advance of the dinner, presenting the place settings, decorations and food. The menu was planned and presented by White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford and Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison, who have worked at the White House for nearly a decade.</p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p>The dinner will begin with an appetizer of chilled heirloom tomato soup. The main course features fruitwood-smoked beef short ribs and poached lobster. The dessert plate is a white chocolate basket containing banana ganache, raspberries, peaches and candied lime zest.</p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p>Gold-colored flatware and tea candlelights accented the formal dinnerware setting, placed amid bright pink floral arrangements.</p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p>This is the first state dinner honor for an African head of state since 2008 and the first for Kenya since 2003. The U.S. and Kenya have maintained diplomatic relations for 60 years.</p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p>A lavish U.S. state dinner is a high honor reserved for America’s longstanding and closest allies. Planning begins months in advance with the efforts of the first lady’s staff and the White House social office.</p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p>“We’re trying to showcase American food, American regions, American farmers,” while incorporating small tributes to the guest of honor,” said Bill Yosses. He was White House executive pastry chef for seven years before leaving in 2014.</p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p><em>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</em></p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p><strong>Follow NEWSnet on </strong><strong>Facebook</strong><strong> and </strong><strong>X platform</strong><strong> to get our headlines in your social feeds.</strong></p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p><em>Copyright 2024 NEWSnet. All rights reserved.</em></p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p id="pdf-1716477551059"> </p></div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"> </div></div> <div><div class="Article-paragraph"><p> </p></div></div></div>
