Short ribs and chardonnay: How the Bidens plan to wine-and-dine Australia

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden plan to pair short ribs with chardonnay during their state dinner with Australia, the fourth of their administration and a muted affair after the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.

Katie Button, co-founder of restaurant group Cúrate and a member of the State Department‘s American Culinary Corps, collaborated with Jill Biden, White House executive chef Cris Comerford, and White House executive pastry chef Susie Morrison on the menu for Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, his partner, Jodie Haydon, and their other guests.

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“Nurturing our partnerships and relationships with our allies is critically important, especially in these tumultuous times,” the first lady said during a preview Tuesday. “Food is comforting, reassuring, and healing, and we hope that this dinner provides a little of that as well.”

Jill Biden and White House social secretary Carlos Elizondo also worked with Bryan Rafanelli and Rafanelli Events on the dinner’s design, inspired by the blue, green, purple, and pink of the United States’s and Australia’s natural wonders and panoramas. The dinner’s backdrop will be a canvas of American monarch butterflies and Australian Cairns Birdwing butterflies against roses and delphinium for the U.S. and eucalyptus for Australia. The tables will be dressed with other florals and fruit that grows in both countries, such as apples, pears, grapes, and berries, in addition to stone-handled flatware to represent natural minerals.

“I was inspired to bring together the vibrant Australia spring and crisp American autumn as the seasons ripple across our great painted landscapes,” the first lady said. “We are excited to build our strong friendships and show them pieces of our country that make us proud.”

Here is the menu:

First course
Farro & Roasted Beet Salad
Popped Sorghum, Herb Vinaigrette
Butternut Squash Soup
Smoked Paprika, Candied Pumpkin Seeds

Main course
Sarsaparilla-braised Short Ribs
Sorghum-glazed Young Carrots
Brussels Sprouts, Celery Root Purée, Carrot Jus

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Dessert
Hazelnut & Chocolate Mousse Cake
Crème Fraîche Ice Cream

Wine
Windracer Chardonnay “Alexander Mountain” 2019
Sequel Syrah Columbia Valley 2019
Argyle Extended Tirage Brut 2012