State Dining Room Set Up for State Dinner Honoring Emperor Hirohito

This photograph shows the State Dining Room set for a State Dinner hosted by President Gerald R. Ford and First Lady Betty Ford on October 2, 1975 in honor of Emperor Hirohito and Empress Kōjun of Japan. The Lyndon B. Johnson china service was used at each place setting. White House Executive Chef Henry Haller oversaw the food preparations for the meal, which included veal medallions with wild rice and green beans niçoise, lobster en bellevue, an endive and watercress salad, and raspberry mousse. Following the dinner, guests transitioned to the East Room for entertainment by pianist Van Cliburn. To see images of Haller and the White House domestic staff team readying the dishes to serve, see 1128247, 1128250, 1128252, and 1128253. This photograph is part of a collection belonging to former White House Executive Chef Henry Haller. Haller served as executive chef at the White House from 1966-1987.