WASHINGTON, D.C. (WIREUPDATE) – President Obama and the First Lady will host Mexican President Felipe Calderón and Mrs. Margarita Zavala Wednesday evening in the White House for a State Dinner, the White House announced on Wednesday.

The State Dinner will be held in the East Room of the White House, and the State Dinner performance will be held under a tent on the South Lawn of the White House. The most recent State Dinner held at the White House was for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Mrs. Gursharan Kaur of India, hosted on November 24, 2009.

The dinner is being held in recognition of the deep ties and strong relationship President Obama has forged with Mexico, and by extension, President Calderón. This will be the 8^th State Dinner held in the White House in honor of Mexico, dating back to the Johnson Administration in 1967.

The décor is designed to honor President Calderón and his birthplace of Michoacán, Mexico. The Monarch butterfly makes its annual migration from Canada to Michoacán in early spring each year and guests walking into the room will experience the sense of Monarch butterflies in flight.

The tables are decorated in natural shades of oranges and greens. The focal point of each table will be a bouquet of marzipan and chocolate flowers. The flowers are made into marzipan roses, the national flower of America, and dahlias, and the national flower of Mexico.

First Lady Obama worked with Guest Chef Rick Bayless and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford to create a menu that reflects the best of American cuisine, continuing the White House’s commitment to serving fresh, sustainable and regional food, and honoring the culinary excellence and flavors that are present in Mexican cuisine.

Herbs, radishes, and lettuces used in preparing tonight’s dinner were harvest from the White House Kitchen Garden. White House Executive Pastry Chef William Yosses and his team made desserts using White House honey in the Graham Cracker Crumble and Goat Cheese Ice Cream.

The dinner menu will consist of Jicama with Oranges, Grapefruit, and Pineapple; Citrus Vinaigrette; Ulises Valdez Chardonnay 2007 “Russian River”; Herb Green Ceviche of Hawaiian Opah; Sesame-Cilantro Cracker; Oregon Wagyu Beef in Oaxacan Black Mole; Black Bean Tamalon and Grilled Green Beans; Herrera Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 “Selección Rebecca”; Chocolate-Cajeta Tart; Toasted Homemade Marshmallows; Graham Cracker Crumble and Goat Cheese Ice Cream; and Mumm Napa “Carlos Santana Brut” N/V.

The night will include performances by Beyoncé, Rodrigo y Gabriela, and the President’s Own United States Marine Band.