State dinners often consist of, but are not limited to, black tie or white tie dress, military honor guards, a four or five course meal, musical entertainment, dancing, and speeches made on behalf of the head of state hosting the state dinner as well as the foreign head of state.
Jerky is lean meat that has been trimmed of fat, cut into strips, and then dried to prevent spoilage. Normally, this drying includes the addition of salt, to prevent bacteria from developing on the meat before sufficient moisture has been removed.
Ask your butcher to trim any fat, and, when you begin your prep at home, use your sharpest knife to trim any remaining fat. Favorite cuts of meat for jerky include brisket, top round, and, for a truly luxurious treat, try filet mignon jerky, favored by gourmet foodies like the owners-namesakes of Three Jerks Jerky. The cuts are already smaller than a big brisket, making your task of slicing and prep a bit easier.