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The Skinny on the State Dinner

Michelle Obama wore Naeem Khan, and other tidbits

By Kate Schwartz,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 25, 2009 7:49 AM CST
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(Newser) – Didn't have a ticket to the country's hottest social event? No worries. Here's the who and what of last night's state dinner honoring Indian PM Manmohan Singh:

  • The outdoor tent was decorated with local, sustainably harvested magnolia branches and ivy; centerpieces of hydrangeas, roses, and sweet peas evoked India's state bird, the peacock.
  • Obama greeted his guests in Hindi.
  • Michelle wore a strapless, silver-sequined, cream-colored gown custom-made by Naeem Khan; it reportedly took three weeks to complete the dress—with 40 people working on it.

  • Guest chef Marcus Samuelsson, of Aquavit, created a menu that included arugula from the White House garden, collard greens, curried prawns, chickpeas and okra, naan, cornbread, and a pumpkin pie tart.
  • Dinner was served on a mix of Eisenhower, Clinton, and Bush administration china.
  • Musicians included (no surprise here) Jennifer Hudson, who sang "The Very Thought of You," "What a Difference a Day Makes," and "Somewhere"; plus Chicago jazz musician Kurt Elling, the National Symphony Orchestra, and AR Rahman, the composer of the Slumdog Millionaire score.
  • Not-previously-reported notable guests included Blair Underwood, M. Night Shyamalan, Deepak Chopra, Gayle King, and Brian Williams.

A display table setting is seen in the State Dining Room prior to the State Dinner for India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.
A display table setting is seen in the State Dining Room prior to the State Dinner for India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
A sample display of a table setting is seen prior to the State Dinner for India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.
A sample display of a table setting is seen prior to the State Dinner for India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome India's PM Manmohan Singh and wife Gursharan Kaur to the State Dinner at the North Portico of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome India's PM Manmohan Singh and wife Gursharan Kaur to the State Dinner at the North Portico of the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama before they welcome India's PM Manmohan Singh and wife Gursharan Kaur to the State Dinner at the North Portico, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama before they welcome India's PM Manmohan Singh and wife Gursharan Kaur to the State Dinner at the North Portico, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Film director Steven Spielberg arrives for a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.
Film director Steven Spielberg arrives for a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Steven Spielberg with Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood as they arrive for a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for Indian PM Manmohan Singh at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.
Steven Spielberg with Alfre Woodard and Blair Underwood as they arrive for a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama for Indian PM Manmohan Singh at the White House, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Katie Couric arrives with Brooks L. Perlin for a State Dinner Hosted by President Barack Obama for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.
Katie Couric arrives with Brooks L. Perlin for a State Dinner Hosted by President Barack Obama for Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Guests are seen in a tent on the South Lawn of the White House during a State Dinner with President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.
Guests are seen in a tent on the South Lawn of the White House during a State Dinner with President Barack Obama and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
President Barack Obama listens as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reads his toast during a State Dinner on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.
President Barack Obama listens as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reads his toast during a State Dinner on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Toon
Nov 26, 2009 7:58 AM CST
I'm sorry you can't cook. I can't either but I used to have a Southern roommate who made delicious collard greens. Some things need an expert to fix them right.
Cher
Nov 26, 2009 7:24 AM CST
The Obama's just can't seem to get things right. They have so many people working for them but that doesn't seem to matter. Michelle's staff is paid by the tax payers over one million dollars a year to help her. God what did she do before she had any help. Saw it coming though during the campaign she dressed like a typical black woman from south Chicago. What made us think she would change her ways.
schmidtkoff
Nov 25, 2009 5:25 AM CST
collard greens - yucky. like eating rubber flavored with ham hocks. sorry dis'n the south and not obama. but collards are awful.

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Barack Obama • Michelle Obama • White House • Manmohan Singh • President Obama • state dinner • Obama's first state dinner

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