An art lover who speaks good English, Macron is known to watch what he eats. Yet he told reporters at an agricultural fair in Paris in February that “I drink wine at lunch and dinner.”
Discerning his tastes, including likes and dislikes, even allergies, is one of the first things the White House tries to pin down for all guests, said Bernard.
“You’re really focused on making sure the guest feels special,” he said.
Mrs. Trump’s social secretary, Rickie Niceta, came aboard last year after two decades of event planning for a caterer whose clients included the White House, the State Department and several embassies, in addition to working on the past five presidential inaugurations, including Trump’s. The first lady, who speaks French, also has experienced hands running the kitchen, pastry shop and florist’s lair. All three women helped execute more than a dozen state dinners for Obama.
Trump owns hotels, including one near the White House, and knows about good hospitality.
Bernard recalled that, just as invitations were about to go out for the 2014 dinner for then-French President Francois Hollande, news broke that Hollande and his longtime girlfriend had abruptly split. Mrs. Obama’s staff anxiously sought clarity on whether Hollande would bring another date.