G20 Summit to Showcase Millet Cuisine and Global Flavors at Taj Hotel
New Delhi, India – As the G20 Summit approaches, the Taj Hotel in New Delhi is gearing up to welcome world leaders with a showcase of diverse cuisines, highlighting millet as a key ingredient. The hotel’s team of expert chefs has meticulously designed a special menu that incorporates both Indian and international flavors, with a special focus on millets, as suggested by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
We are presenting a fusion of Indian and foreign culinary traditions to the foreign delegation attending the summit. In line with PM Modi’s emphasis on millets, we have incorporated these nutritious grains into various dishes, revealed Chef Surendra Negi. He further added, We have also included a range of Indian and Western desserts to cater to diverse palates.
Echoing these sentiments, another chef at the hotel shared, We have made arrangements for ‘Thaalis,’ traditional Indian platters, to be served to guests who appreciate Indian cuisine… We have also incorporated specific items in the menu to align with the International Year of Millets.
With a grand plan to present over 500 dishes to the foreign delegates, the menu will feature a harmonious blend of Indian and international delicacies, with millets being a prominent ingredient in many of them. A team of more than 120 chefs is diligently working on this ambitious culinary endeavor.
Millet, known for its rich mineral content and numerous health benefits, encompasses a wide variety of small-seeded grasses, also classified as Nutri-cereals. India cultivates all nine major types of traditional millets, including Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Finger Millet, Foxtail Millet, Proso Millet, Little Millet, Barnyard Millet, Browntop Millet, and Kodo Millet.
India’s efforts to showcase millets’ significance have gained international recognition. Prime Minister Modi spearheaded the proposal for declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), receiving support from 72 countries.
The upcoming G20 Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi from September 9-10, will mark the culmination of a year of intensive meetings and discussions among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies. The Indian capital has been actively preparing to host this mega event, with approximately 40-plus delegations expected to attend at the leader’s level.
Muktesh Pardeshi, the Special Secretary and head of operations and logistics for India’s G20 secretariat, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the summit. We have been preparing for this event since day one after taking over the G20 presidency. New Delhi aims to showcase Indian culture, crafts, and cuisine during the summit, he stated. Pardeshi also mentioned the creation of an experiential panel, where delegates can discover India’s technological advancements, such as UPI payments, the CoWin app, and the Aadhar system that connected one billion people.
Furthermore, the catering at the Convention Centre for the summit will be entrusted to the renowned ITC hotel chain. With a strong focus on cuisine, menu planning, and impeccable service, the hotel chain has been selected to provide an exceptional experience for the delegates. Pardeshi also revealed plans to introduce delegates to the vibrant street food culture of India.
The G20 Summit, under the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, will feature three sessions, tackling various global challenges. India will pass on the G20 Presidency to Brazil in the concluding session on December 10.
As the countdown to the G20 Summit begins, New Delhi is poised to showcase its rich cultural heritage and gastronomic delights to the world, with millets taking center stage in the culinary extravaganza.
