Spring Tablescape at the White House

The White House Menu
Soup Course: Celery Soup
Appetizer: Wild Mushroom Crisps
Entree: Steelhead Salmon with Citrus sauce
Sides: Toasted Saffron Couscous Pearls, Crispy Spinach
Salad: Baby Iceberg Lettuce with Maytag Bleu Cheese and Yogurt Ranch Dressing
Dessert: Milk Chocolate Velvet Cake
When the President of the United States (POTUS) and the First Lady invite 200 guests to the White House for dinner, the staff makes it happen. The guests list, protocol, security, the menu, seating charts, place cards, menu cards, selection of patterns for china, silver and crystal, tablecloths, centerpieces, entertainment, receiving line, announcement of guests, military escorts, and the list goes on and on. Of course there’s the decision of what to wear. But since this wasn’t black tie, it was a little more relaxed.
Once guests accept their invitations, you are on THE LIST and it’s exciting knowing that you will be dining at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The scale of the home is awesome and the history that’s been made there can still you in your tracks. The First Lady, the Social Secretary, and her staff work with the chef, the florists, the stewards, the calligraphers, and others to make the evening seem so effortless.
Imagine entering the East Room where twenty tables of ten place settings were set. White roses and white peonies with green apples were the evening’s centerpieces. Tablecloths were pale blue damask and the Clinton White House China was selected. Music is playing in the background and you’ve just been introduced to and photographed with the President and First Lady. As you’re escorted to your table, you look down and there’s your name, beautifully calligraphered by hand on a place card with the official insignia in gold. Two hundred guests make it a select crowd. Really! That’s one hundred couples but remember there are Senators, Congressmen, Supreme Court Justices, Cabinet Members, and the Vice President whose numbers alone total over 600. I bet lots of small talk in this room led to big business and legislation which impacts the world.
Among those at the President and Michelle's table: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel(R-KY), Republican Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Rep. James Clyburn(D-SC), and Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Oh well, the Obama administration has many more parties to plan and who knows who will be at the next one. It might be you or someone you know.