Last week, the First Lady welcomed 55 talented young chefs to the White House for the fourth annual Kids’ “State Dinner.” It was just like any other state dinner, complete with beautiful décor and White House china, except the guests of honor were kids!

It was an incredible day filled with inspiration, delicious healthy food, and fun. Check out our top five moments from the day:

1. Meeting this year’s incredible kid chefs and hearing the stories behind their recipes.

Every recipe has a story behind it, and this year, kids across the country were inspired to develop their recipes for a variety of reasons. Some kids play sports and wanted to ensure they were getting the healthy food they needed to perform at their best. Other kids created and named their recipes based on their family’s traditions and heritage. There were also kids who were worried about their family’s health or their friends’ unhealthy eating habits, and so they created healthy recipes their family and friends would enjoy that were also nutritious. 

Kids’ “State Dinner” winners pose for a photos in the Grand Foyer.

Watch as the kids shared their stories with Deb Eschmeyer, Executive Director of Let’s Move! and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition:

2. Dining in the East Room with a menu made up of a selection of the winning recipes.

Lunch included a sample of the creative and delicious dishes that the Kids’ “State Dinner” winners cooked up this year, from Vegetable Confetti Spring Rolls to Oodles of Zoodles with Avocado Pistachio Pesto.

Check out all of the winning recipes and try them out in your kitchen at home!

The dinner menu the Kids' State Dinner in the East Room of the White House hosted by the First Lady, July 10, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

The room was filled with energy and excitement and was complete with colorful veggies lining each table! The overall décor incorporated the celebration of the fifth anniversary of Let’s Move! and the #GimmeFive challenge.

First Lady Michelle Obama delivers remarks. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)

3. President Obama stopping by for a surprise visit.

The President stopped by to “crash” the party just before lunch began. Although he couldn’t stay to eat, he had looked over the menu and asked the kids to save him some Barack-amole from the California Rainbow Taco with Mic-Kale Obama Slaw and Barack-amole, which was part of the main course for lunch. The President also confirmed his favorite vegetable: broccoli. 

President Barack Obama shakes the hand Colorado Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winner, Raine Adams seated with her mother Stacey, left.
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

4. Experiencing a whole new world.

Winners went on a magical ride during the performance by Disney’s Tony-Award winning hit musical, Aladdin. The room filled with animated jazz notes as the Genie, Aladdin, and Princess Jasmine sang a medley of tunes from the Disney classic.  

5. Visiting the White House Kitchen Garden.

Following lunch, winners and their parents headed outside to check out the White House Kitchen Garden and Beehive on the South Lawn. During their time in the garden, the kids shared stories of the gardens they tend to at home or in their schools and communities.

Just one day prior, the White House chefs visited the Kitchen Garden to harvest ingredients for the recipes served at the Kids’ “State Dinner,” including kale, lettuce, peppers, carrots, and mint. 

Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winners walk to the White House Kitchen Garden on the South Lawn following the Kids' State Dinner.
(Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)