How White House Is Planning To Treat 'Pure Vegetarian' Narendra Modi

The White House is all set to give a rousing reception to the Indian Prime Minister, who is on his inaugural official state visit to the United States from 21 to 23 June.

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host a state dinner for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 22.

White House Prepared To Host Dinner For Modi

In preparation for Thursday's state dinner, meticulous attention has been given to diplomatic intricacies, including accommodating the dietary restrictions of the guests.

Nina Curtis, a plant-based chef from Sacramento, California, will be the guest chef for the special occasion. She will be working alongside White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford, and White House Executive Pastry Chef Susie Morrison to develop the menu, the office of the first lady said, according to a report in CNN.

She was handpicked by the First Lady considering the fact that the Indian Prime Minister is a vegetarian and "the First Lady selected Chef Curtis for her experience with plant-based cuisine."

Also, Grammy Award-winning American violinist and conductor Joshua Bell will provide the evening's entertainment.

State dinners are "a courtesy, an expression of good will, and a way of extending hospitality," as well as "an event that also showcases global power and influence," White House curator Betty Monkman told CNN.

In preparation for these dinners, the office of the first lady works closely with her social team, as well as the executive residence staff, which includes calligraphers, florists, pastry chefs, and the State Department, the report added.

Special Modi Thali Launched

On the other hand, New Jersey-based chef Shripad Kulkarni has crafted a special 'Modi Ji Thali' before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US. Kulkarni curated this unique platter based on recommendations from members of the Indian diaspora. The thali features a diverse range of dishes, including khichdi, rasgulla, sarso da saag, dum aloo, Kashmiri, idli, dhokla, chaach, and papad.

Kulkarni also incorporated millets into the dish to align with the International Year of Millets, declared by the United Nations for 2023. This culinary creation aims to raise awareness about millets and celebrate the UN's designation of 2023 as the International Year of Millets, a recommendation made by the Government of India.