A Farewell Dinner

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host their final state dinner 

MARK WILSON—GETTY IMAGES

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama stand with Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his wife, Agnese Landini, at an official state dinner at the White House on October 18.

Nearly 400 people gathered on the South Lawn of the White House Tuesday evening to attend the final official state dinner hosted by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. The event was part of an official state visit from Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and his wife, Agnese Landini. Numerous guests described the gala as a “bittersweet” experience, as it signals the end of the Obamas’ eight years in the White House.

“We saved the best for last,” the president said with a grin as he welcomed Renzi and Landini.

A state dinner is held for visiting heads of state or reigning monarchs. It is one of the most glamorous events held at the White House. The dinner gives the president and the first lady a chance to express goodwill and friendship with other nations. Tuesday’s event was the 14th state dinner hosted by the Obamas, and one of their biggest.

An Italian Flair

MICHAEL REYNOLDS-POOL—GETTY IMAGES

Singer Gwen Stefani performs on the South Lawn of the White House on October 18, during the final state dinner hosted by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.

In honor of the Italian prime minister’s visit, the décor and menu for the dinner celebrated Italian culture. Guest chef Mario Batali collaborated with White House staff on the menu. It featured traditional Italian dishes made with ingredients from the first lady’s White House garden. The guests dined on sweet potato ravioli with browned butter and sage, warm butternut squash salad, and beef pinwheels, a classic Italian dish, with broccoli rabe. For dessert, Batali presented a green apple crostata, or Italian tart, with buttermilk gelato, or Italian ice cream.

Guests of Italian descent at the event included House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, fashion designer Giorgio Armani, and former race car driver Mario Andretti.

Other guests included comedian Jerry Seinfeld, celebrity chef Rachael Ray, and Grammy-winning singer Gwen Stefani, who performed during the after-dinner part of the evening.

In his pre-dinner toast, President Obama acknowledged the influence that Italy has had on American democracy. He also noted that both the Lincoln Memorial and the interior of the U.S. Capitol dome had been created by Italians. The president raised a glass to the “enduring alliance” between the two nations.

Why does the Farewell Party have an Italian theme?