Piece of royalty for the Obamas

The Obamas were treated to a lavish spread at the state banquet. Delhi-based restaurateur Marut Sikka prepared for the Monday night dinner hosted by President Pratibha Patil.

Shahi tukda, palak paapdi chaat, anaar raita, pineapple halwa — these are some of the dishes that Delhi-based restaurateur Marut Sikka prepared for the Obamas for the Monday night state banquet hosted by President Pratibha Patil.

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This was the first time an ‘outside’ chef was commissioned to cater a state banquet.

A source close to Sikka, the man behind restaurants such as Magique and Kainoosh, said, "The officials approached him last week, and asked him to cook for the banquet. They briefed him on what the Obamas liked, and asked him to come up with at least five dishes each in chicken, lamb, fish, and two seasonal vegetables. Marut focussed on pan-Indian flavours, and created a mish-mash menu of cuisines from Hyderabad, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Jammu."

Kundan Kaliya - a lamb dish wrapped in 24 carat gold was also considered for the menu.

While Obamas sampled the lavish fare prepared by Sikka, President Pratibha Patil, chose to have her all-vegetarian dishes prepared by her own chef.