New Delhi: As US President Donald Trump arrives in India on his maiden visit with wife Melania Trump, the proposed hospitality, particularly when it comes to cuisine, will be far removed from what they are used to.
For starters, the menu at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, which Trump will visit before heading to the Motera stadium, has created quite the stir on social media.
At the ashram, the ‘VVIP hi-tea menu’ comprises Khaman (dhoklas) and broccoli & corn button samosas. It also has tender coconut water (in a tetra pack) and assorted canned guava and orange juice, as a welcome drink.
The live counter for tea and coffee has a range of teas such as American, English, Darjeeling, Assam, Earl Grey, green and lemon tea. There are also three types of assorted cookies, these being honey bee, 7grain and choco-chip. Also on the tea menu are roasted almonds, cashew nuts, apricot and dry dates.
The dessert includes Kaju Katli, apple pie and ‘exotic cut fresh fruit’.
Hi tea ☕️ menu for @realDonaldTrump at Sabarmati Ashram. Khaman, Samosa & Kaju Katli!! @MilanV @AyresAlyssa @irfannooruddin @gandhiwdc @jslaternyc @SBengali @slakster pic.twitter.com/AVuX9I73vW
— Mahesh Langa (@LangaMahesh) February 23, 2020
The food menu has been hugely debated as Trump’s diet is a rotation of burgers, meatloaf and steak. During his visit to India, he will be served strictly vegetarian food.
Trump menu and reactions to it
The predominantly Gujarati menu being served to Trump and Melania has raked up many reactions on social media with people taking to Twitter and asking why the coconut water is being served in a tetra pack and not in its raw form or why the assorted juices are canned.
At the #GandhiAshram:
1. There should be no "assorted canned juice."
2. If there is "tender coconut water," it should come from a tender coconut. Not a "tetra pack."And, of course, there should be no such thing as a "VVIP."
I mean, that one's an easy call. https://t.co/yHmCCF3Nrz
— Jonah Blank (@JonahBlank) February 24, 2020
I have a rather important question to ask: Why is it packaged juice? Because we have no other business than discussing and critiquing Trump's food menu. https://t.co/kxYSvPdjM0
— Geetika Rustagi (@geetiga) February 24, 2020
Some have called it an ‘unappetising menu’ while others have commented on how ‘Darjeeling Tea’ always makes it to the menu.
A great civilisation is capable of some truly shitty hospitality. The brutally unappetising menu for Trump's tea in…where else?…Gujarat. pic.twitter.com/BmL7hePRKp
— Tunku Varadarajan (@tunkuv) February 24, 2020
Darjeeling Tea never fails to be a part of any Menu, be it in the menu for Hi Tea of President Trump India Visit, but the Daily wage for those hardworking tea garden workers of Darjeeling dist is only about Rs167. @RajuBistaBJP @NeerajZimba #gorkhaland ??? pic.twitter.com/klcQSOyydl
— Gorkhaputra (@thegorkhachild) February 24, 2020
During his visit to Ahmedabad, the US President will also inaugurate the newly constructed Motera Stadium and be made to try more Gujarati delicacies by Chef Suresh Khanna of the Fortune Landmark Hotel.
In an earlier interview, Khanna said, “It is a big day. Special arrangements have been made for the US President. We are really looking forward to his visit. The local items of Gujarat have been included such as Khaman, broccoli samosa, honey-dip cookies, multi-grain rotis, coconut water, ice teas, special chai, and snacks.”
Khanna also stated that all the menus have undergone security checks to ensure they are safe enough for both Donald Trump and Melania Trump to eat.
Also read: After Namaste Trump, India and US to strengthen strategic, defence & energy ties