President Obama Visited Kids First-Ever “State Dinner” At White House
President Obama made a surprise appearance at the first-ever kids’ “State Dinner” hosted by the first lady at the White House today, celebrating the young winners of a national healthy recipe contest who proved food can be “healthy and tasty at the same time.”
“Usually, I get invited to the state dinners. So this time I just had to crash,” the president said as he entered the ornate East Room to squeals of excitement from the young guests. “I had to crash the party because I did not want to miss out on all the fun.”
The children, ages 8 to 12, were all winners of the “healthy lunchtime challenge,” a nationwide competition that asked kids and their parents to submit recipes for lunchtime meals that were “healthy, affordable and tasty.” Today’s “State Dinner” luncheon featured a selection of the winning recipes, including “Yummy Cabbage Sloppy Joes” and “Quinoa, Black Bean and Corn Salad.”
“I could not be prouder of you, the young people, because, you know, it’s hard enough to follow a recipe and make something good to eat,” the president said. “I’m not a great cook. I’m an OK cook. I can make a good omelet and toast. … Let’s face it, I don’t cook that often these days, but I remember cooking, and it’s not always easy to make something that people like to eat.”
“Then for you guys to actually come up with recipes that are healthy and tasty, and to do it in a way that helps to contribute to spreading the word about healthy eating among your peers, that’s a really big deal.”
The White House spared none of the pomp and circumstance of a State Dinner. The children, dressed to the nines, were announced as they entered the White House and interviewed by eager reporters.
