India is all set to host the G20 Summit in the national capital of New Delhi next month, on the dates of 8-10 September 2023, and state leaders from across the world are expected to visit. To prepare for the landmark event, which will be held at the newly built Bharat Mandapan Convention Centre in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan area, the Central and Delhi governments are taking plenty of steps—and this includes prepping to present the best of Indian cuisine to the world leaders.
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Reports suggest that given that the UN has declared this to be the International Year of Millets, the central focus of the food served at the G20 Summit 2023 will be around the variety of millets Indian cuisine has to offer. Major hotels at the National Capital Region are gearing up to put millets at the centre of their menus during delegate lunches and dinners. These state lunches and dinners will be held across multiple locations like The Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi, The Lalit New Delhi, Le Meridien New Delhi and Eros Hotel New Delhi.
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At the Taj Mahal Hotel New Delhi, the focus will be on well-crafted menus with millets in focus. "As the capital’s iconic landmark hotel that has had the honour of being host to numerous delegations from the across the world for over four decades, Taj Palace, New Delhi is excited to host visiting international and diplomatic delegations during the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit," said Nayan Seth, General Manager, Taj Palace, New Delhi. "From ceremonial rituals to timeless traditions, the hotel will showcase the magic of Tajness through a multitude of experiences. Guest delegates will be welcomed with a ceremonial ritual at the hotel’s iconic lobby, that spotlights Indian culture and hospitality, the essence of Atithi Devo Bhava and the majesty and iridescence of India’s national bird, the glorious peacock."
"Taj Palace, New Delhi is home to the city’s most iconic restaurants and food and beverage experiences such as the award-winning Orient Express, the celebrated Spicy Duck, and the much talked-about Loya. Curated under masterful expertise of Executive Chef and renowned culinary veteran, Rajesh Wadhwa, the hotel will showcase an arrange of local delicacies and global flavours for resident delegations, along with a host of signatures from the hotel’s iconic restaurants," he added. "Menus will feature a host of indigenous millets, heirloom recipes and time-honoured culinary techniques. The culinary selection will also feature an array of global dishes to appeal to all palates."
"An incredible culinary adventure awaits at Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi," a representative from the hotel revealed. "Tamra is the epitome of the "world on your platter" concept where Shangri-La celebrates the year of Millets in India and showcases wellness cuisine amongst other regional Indian specialties. Mister Chai, a classic tea lounge presents a delightful fusion of tradition and modernity, where the classic Indian chai is reimagined with a contemporary twist.”
“The carefully curated millet-based meals for gala lunches and dinners will bring the best of ‘Made in India’ dishes and offer flavours of native India to guests,” Arun Sundararaj, director of culinary operations, The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi was quoted as saying in a report. Similarly, Roseate Hotels & Resorts New Delhi is working on a sustainable menu featuring the farm to table concept along with celebrating local millets.
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The culinary team at The Lalit New Delhi will showcase millets through dishes like mixed millet watermelon salad, edamame and amaranth salad, yaki soba noodles, nutty Belgian dark foxtail fudge, millet risotto and many other dishes. “As part of our ‘we serve what we grow’ initiative, we will be using home grown herbs, spices and a variety of greens to focus on the health quotient and enhance the overall nutritional aspect of the delicacies,” said Vijay Bhalla, general manager, The Lalit New Delhi during an interview.
This apart, reports suggest that other Indian cuisine dishes will also be offered to the global guests flying down to Delhi for the G20 Summit. For example, the Eros Hotel New Delhi will be serving dishes like Amritsari kulchas, while Hyatt Regency Delhi will have dishes like murgh makhani, dal makhani, rogan josh and more on their menu. Clearly, vocal for local will be the focus of attention for all the hotels and restaurants in Delhi hosting guests for the G20 Summit 2023.