State dinner for Nordic allies takes a cue from the cold
The unusual group affair — state dinners typically honor a single visiting leader — will follow a U.S.-Nordic Summit, a White House meeting on security and economic issues with nations President Barack Obama often lauds as model global citizens.
The event, Obama's 12th state dinner, will be held on the South Lawn in a tent designed with a transparent ceiling to allow guests to see the night sky.
Dessert was to be an homage to the fishing industry in the form of a blue, glowing edible fishing boat, displayed with pastries of elderberry custard pie, raspberry kringle and gooseberry cookies.