White House hosts grand dinner for PM,with dollops of celeb power

At his first White House state dinner,scheduled for later in Tuesday evening,US President Barack Obama will put his stamp on the tradition the White House uses to honour foreign leaders.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is coming for a state visit and all that it entails a pomp-filled welcome ceremony that was brought inside the White House because of rainy weather,private time with Obama,a joint news conference and then the state dinner,to be held outside for 320 people.

First lady Michelle Obamas staff,which has planned what could be Washingtons hottest social event since the inauguration,has kept a tight lid on the details. But some elements,like the huge white tent on the South Lawn,couldnt remain secret. That alone means hundreds more people will be attending than if dinner had been scheduled indoors in the State Dining Room,which seats a maximum 140 guests.

Singer Jennifer Hudson,who has won a Grammy and an Oscar,is headlining an entertainment lineup that also includes Indian performers,said an administration official.

Michelle Obama also is bringing in a guest chef,award-winning Marcus Samuelsson of Aquavit,a Scandinavian restaurant in New York City,to help the White House kitchen staff prepare the meal.

With nearly 700 guests in a tent on the lawn,the India state dinner was one of the largest such events of Bill Clintons presidency. George W. Bushs dinner in 2005 was notable because he held so few overall. AP

A look back at the dinners for Indian leaders

HARRY S. TRUMAN

October 1949: His dinner with PM Nehru was held at Blair House,the government guest house. The menu included fillet of sole with Tyrolienne sauce and roast turkey with oyster dressing.

DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER

December 1956: Treated Nehru to a Sunday lunch of oysters on the half shell and roast leg of lamb. They were joined by Indira Gandhi.

JOHN F. KENNEDY

November 1961: Kennedy held a smaller,black-tie affair,apparently so the two could talk.

June 1963: His dinner for Radhakrishnan was notable for the first live orchestra performance at the White House. Rain played spoilsport.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

March 1966: Held dinner for PM Indira Gandhi. The main course was sliced pheasant breast.

RICHARD NIXON

November 1971: Indira Gandhi was the guest. The menu included poached dumpling of pike in puff pastry and supreme of pheasant veronique.

RONALD REAGAN

July 1982: Served Indira Gandhi seafood neptune,lamb wrapped in golden pastry and frozen black cherry bombe.

June 1985: Also hosted PM Rajiv Gandhi. The menu included crab and cucumber mousse,breasts of Cornish hen and chocolate boxes.

BILL CLINTON

September 2000: PM Vajpayee was the guest. Feast included a main course of wild Copper river salmon with red kuri squash and rice bean ragout.

GEORGE W. BUSH

July 2005: PM Manmohan Singh was the honoree. The menu included basmati rice with pistachio nuts and currants,pan-roasted halibut. AP