New Delhi: As world leaders begin arriving in New Delhi for the G20 Summit, prominent hotels across the city and the National Capital Region (NCR) are gearing up to showcase India’s warmth and hospitality.
The two-day event is expected to draw to the Capital more than 10,000 delegates as part of the G20 — which comprises 19 member states and the European Union — who will reportedly be hosted by 31 hotels — 23 in New Delhi and nine in NCR.
According to reports, US President Joe Biden will stay at ITC Maurya, while the Chinese delegation will be hosted by Taj Palace. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is said to reside at Shangri-La Eros, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol at The Oberoi in Gurugram and French President Emmanuel Macron at The Claridges.
While the hotels will feature customised menus for the various delegations staying there, India will host lunch for attendees Saturday at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in Pragati Maidan.
Sources told ThePrint that the lunch would be vegetarian and prepared by ITC Maurya chefs.
The silverware to be used throughout the event as well as for the dinner hosted Saturday by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, made of 160 kg of silver, has been supplied by IRIS Silverware, a Jaipur-based firm.
Laksh Pabuwal, co-founder of the firm, told ThePrint: “Roughly, 25,000 to 30,000 people will be served in this silverware. Each piece has been designed keeping in mind India’s culture, art and hospitality.”
Apart from Indian cuisine, food from across the globe will be at the fingertips of world leaders. The hotels in Delhi-NCR are also implementing elaborate security arrangements and carrying out daily hygiene drills to provide the best facilities to guests.
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‘Millet risotto & pasta’
In an effort to showcase the country’s heritage as well as give the delegates a taste of Indian flavours, many hotels have been working on customised menus as well as curated gifts, including local sweets, scarves, handicrafts and more.
Since the year 2023 has been designated as ‘International Year of Millets’, chefs across the Capital have worked hard to elevate millet grains such as ragi, jowar and bajra into haute cuisine.
Speaking to ThePrint, Ankur Gulati, executive chef at The Claridges, said: “We have included millets extensively in our menus. European dishes such as risotto and pasta to Mexican dishes such as enchiladas will all feature millets.”
“Within Indian cuisine, some dishes containing millets will be poha, khichdi, ragi dosa and puris, among various others. As the world moves towards vegetarianism and veganism, we have also curated thalis (or platters) to cater to these diets,” Gulati added.
While the hotel’s buffet will have both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, The Claridges will serve four special thalis curated for the guests — Dev Bhoomi Thali, Marwadi Thali, Jain Thali and Gujarati Thali. They will include dishes such as pahadi chainsoo (a dal recipe from Uttarakhand), gutta curry of Rajasthan, dahi kebab, khandvi and more, the chef said.
“The Claridges is known for its food and we want to ensure our biggest strength is visible to our guests. A team of roughly 100 chefs has been preparing for over a month to perfect these menus,” Gulati explained.
“We have flown in the best ingredients from all over the world, such as artisanal breads and cheeses, butter, Italian cold cuts or charcuterie (cured meat), caviar, seafood, champagne and more,” he said, adding that it was the first time the hotel was hosting a head of state.
Apart from savoury delicacies, Gulati and his team will also showcase an edible India Gate-themed chocolate installation and Arc de Triomphe (a monument in Paris).
Patrick John, vice-president of sales at the hotel, told ThePrint, “This is the first luxury hotel that was set up in 1955, after India’s independence. The Covid-19 pandemic gave us the opportunity to elevate our establishment and our 132 refurbished rooms along with a 400-member team are ready to host foreign delegations.”
Among the other hotels across the Capital, The Leela Palace is reportedly hosting Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and will present to him exotic berry tarts with a carved chocolate crust emblazoned with the G20 logo. The Taj Mahal hotel, on the other hand, which is reportedly hosting the UAE delegation, will welcome guests with platters of Indian sweets such as kaju katli, gulkand rose ladoo and G20-branded macaroons.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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