WASHINGTON — Chef Edward Lee says meals, at its greatest, tells a narrative. And the story he needs advised with the meal he’s whipping up for subsequent week’s White House state dinner is of the deep connection between the United States and its ally South Korea.

President Joe Biden is internet hosting South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday for a state go to, together with a glitzy state dinner, and the White House invited Lee, a Korean American chef and restaurateur, to assist put together the meal.

The White House gave The Associated Press an unique preview of its plans to make use of Lee as a “guest chef” for the meal and of its high-wattage lineup for the after-dinner leisure: Broadway stars Norm Lewis, Lea Salonga and Jessica Vosk.

In an interview with the AP, Lee mentioned “Korean food and American food can merge together and create this beautiful hybrid that is unique and delicious.”

He mentioned any iconic American meals, if spiked with a “little Korean flavor or Korean spice,” will nonetheless be acquainted, however it's going to simply be totally different and distinctive. Real meals for thought, he mentioned.

“Your mind becomes curious about more than just the flavors,” Lee mentioned. “When food is at its best, it tells a story.”

PHOTOS: White House recruits Edward Lee as state dinner visitor chef

A state go to is the best diplomatic honor the U.S. reserves for its closest allies, and Biden to date has prolonged simply two such invites. The first went to France final December.

Every part of a state go to, from the booming 21-gun salute for the chief’s arrival, to the glitz and glamour on show on the black-tie state dinner, is designed to spotlight ties between the U.S. and its ally. Yoon’s go to will mark 70 years of U.S.-South Korea relations.

White House social secretary Carlos Elizondo reached out to the New York City-born chef about two months in the past to hunt his assist with the dinner. Lee’s cooking model is one which meshes two cuisines: Korean meals and meals from the Southern U.S.

Lee not too long ago spent two days on the White House testing recipes and plating meals, providing tastes to first woman Jill Biden and her workers, who're answerable for the dinner and who helped develop the menu. He labored with White House government chef Cristeta Comerford and her workers.

The expertise was nerve-wracking.

“I’ve been on ‘Top Chef,’ where I’ve had to cook for some very high-powered chefs who were critiquing my food, and this was probably more pressure than the TV show,” Lee mentioned of getting the primary woman be the choose of his kitchen creations.

The 50-year-old husband and father couldn’t say what’s on the menu. The White House can be releasing these particulars on Monday. But the menu has been finalized, Lee mentioned, virtually respiratory a sigh of aid throughout Thursday’s phone interview.

Lee began working in eating places when he was 14 years previous. He attended culinary college after commencement from New York University however dropped out after per week. A restaurant he opened in decrease Manhattan folded after the terrorist assaults of Sept. 11, 2001.

He took a break to journey across the United States and go to locations he’d solely questioned about whereas rising up in New York. He was in a position to scratch the Kentucky Derby from his bucket checklist - and whereas there he fell in love with Louisville and its Southern tradition.

It’s the place, Lee mentioned, “I found my culinary voice.”

He has one restaurant, 610 Magnolia, in Louisville, and is weeks away from opening one other. He lives half time in Washington, D.C., the place he's culinary director for a 3rd restaurant, Succotash. He gained a James Beard Award for his e book “Buttermilk Graffiti.”

Lee says Southerners and Koreans are alike in how they eat - large tables, loads of meals, aspect dishes, grazing and barbecue. Different spices, flavors and methods, he mentioned, “but the philosophy is the same, the sensation is the same.”

The resolution to recruit Lee to be the visitor chef revives a observe that Michelle Obama usually used when she organized state dinners as first woman. Marcus Samuelsson, Mario Batali and Anita Lo have been among the many celeb cooks she enlisted so as to add a splash of pizazz.

Jill Biden selected Lee due to his Korean-influenced American delicacies, her workplace mentioned.

After dinner, Broadway stars Lewis, Salonga and Vosk will entertain visitors with a mixture of solo, duet and trio performances.

Lewis’ profession spans movie, tv and theater. He made historical past in 2014 as Broadway’s first Black phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera,” which not too long ago closed after a file 35-year run. He presently stars within the nationwide tour of the Tony Award-winning manufacturing of “A Soldier’s Play.”

Salonga is understood for her award-winning function of Kim in “Miss Saigon.” In Disney movies, she was the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in “Aladdin” and Fa Mulan for “Mulan” and “Mulan II.” She additionally had roles in “Les Miserables” on Broadway.

Vosk is a singer and actor who has appeared in “Wicked” and in the newest revival of “Fiddler on the Roof,” each on Broadway.

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