The State Dinner: Countdown To Tonight's Event

Another evening, another State Dinner for the Obamas. Tonight, it's in honor of Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife, Margarita Zavala. The lucky Washingtonians with invites are rushing around with last minute preparations before the big night...[Image via]

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Chef Rick Bayless, who has the honor of cooking for the Obamas and their guests this evening, took to his Twitter:

@rick_bayless Heading into the WH for another full day of creation. Got my fingers crossed there are no hitches!

@rick_bayless: At hotel readying 4 this historic day. Gr8 day cooking w WH staff yesterday. Remarkable their organization, knowledge of protocol. -

@rick_bayless:The White House staff could not be nicer&more professional! Most worried about ingredients, but all will b here 4 big day! Super excited - @rick_baylessJust arrived in DC. Headed to the White House kitchens. I have to say: I'm a little nervous ...

The full menu won't be announced until tonight, but we do know that the Chicago based chef will be cooking a special mole sauce that includes more than 20 ingredients.

The dinner will be held in the East Room of the White House (as opposed to the outdoor tent of the last State Dinner). 200 guests are expected to attend, including Eva Longoria and Salma Hayek, who are basically having the most glamorous week ever.

The dinner will be the first state dinner run by Julianna Smoot, who is no doubt hoping the press surrounding the dinner will be focused more on the diplomatic aspects of the evening, and not the, shall we say, less salubrious events that caught everyone's attention last November.