It was a big day for nine-year-old Arla Sutton.

She was one of 54 students ages eight to 12 who won a trip to the White House on Aug. 20 to attend the very first “Kids’ State Dinner” hosted by the First Lady Michelle Obama. Her recipe for salad noodle wraps won over all other entries in the entire state of Washington.

The trip included a tour of the White House Garden, where pumpkins and watermelons were growing and a beehive produced honey they could taste. The kids were also taken by bus to the Smithsonian to see the Julia Childs exhibit. And, of course, it was all topped off with an incredible lunch at the White House featuring many of the winning recipes on the menu.

“When I walked into the White House, I really liked all the pictures of the presidents and the windows were really big and there were designs on the ceiling,” Arla recalls when she and her mother, Kate Long, arrived for the big occasion.  “Then we walked down a hallway to the press room and every kid that walked in had a surprised face because there were so many press people there!”

Arla was even selected to be one of eight winners interviewed by the White House Chef Sam Kass. It was streamed live during the event on the White House website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7lW6Aiaugc; Arla is at 33.00.

Before lunch began, all the kids got a hug from Mrs. Obama, who is “really nice,” according to Arla, and about half way through lunch, Mrs. Obama said, “I have a minor announcement to make …” Then the President of the United States of America walked in the room was filled with surprise and applause.

“He walked around to every table and personally shook everyone’s hand,” Arla said.

That was a big moment for Arla, especially since she and her family had gone to his inauguration.

Download the winning recipes at www.recipechallenge.epicurious.com.