When U.S. President Barack Obama hosted a state dinner for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife last night in Washington, D.C., a popular Nanaimo treat was on the menu.
Held at the White House, the state dinner featured a main course of lamb from Colorado, Yukon gold potatoes and vegetables. The Trudeaus were treated to a Rocky Mountain-themed dessert plate featuring Nanaimo bars, cranberry squares, golden raisin tarts, white chocolate snowballs and fleur de sel caramels.
Chelsea Barr, destination marketing officer for Tourism Nanaimo, said it's fantastic to see the tasty treat on the state dinner menu.
"It totally gives us something to talk about on social media and something to be proud of and share," Barr said, adding the Nanaimo bar's inclusion on the menu might peak people's interest in the Harbour City.
"I don't know if it will be enough to influence a visit per say," she said. "But it definitely will be enough to influence [people's] intrigue."
Trudeau became the first Canadian prime minister to attend a state dinner at the White House since Jean Chrétien in 1997.