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Hotel Taj Exotica, which would be hosting heads of countries during the BRICS Summit in Goa this week, has renovated two prime suites where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin will be staying during the two-day event beginning on October 15.
“The entire hotel was taken up for renovation in which we have specially made up two of our prime suites where the Indian prime minister and the Russian president will be staying. Both the suites are in two different parts of the hotel,” Ranjit Phillipose, general manager, Taj Exotica told PTI.
The hotel has currently turned into a high security zone with guests living there moved out to other facilities of the Taj group.
The hotel has flown the best chefs from across the country to provide the best meals to the visiting guests during the summit, he said.
“With five heads of states with different tastes and different preferences, our chefs have worked to get the right mix. What we have done that in all the meals there are different elements. There is North Indian, South Indian, Goan, and in order to make it right we have flown in our chefs from different parts of India,” he said.
In a bid to give a Goan touch to the food, the hotel has invited celebrity chef from the state, Urbano do Rego, who will be creating the master dishes, he said.
“The food menus are similar for all heads of state. It is hosted by Prime Minister Modi, so the menu is chosen by his office. There is a variety of Goan delicacy. It is not completely Goan but there are elements of Goan cuisine,” Phillipose said.
Talking about the overall preparations, the general manager said, “As is the case of any event of such magnitude, there have been logistical challenges. We have not only braved them but also have ensured a seamless experience as our guests arrive.”
He said since various agencies are involved in the preparations, getting the various key service providers to work in tandem has also been a challenge, but at the end of the day it all has worked out because everyone wants the event to be a grand success and to showcase Goa and India in the best manner possible.
Phillipose said for the Taj Group which had hosted the CHOGM (Commonwealth heads of government meeting) retreat in 1983 in Goa, this event stands to be very important.
“As custodians of Indian hospitality, the Taj Group has championed several momentous occasions over a period. With a great legacy comes an enormous responsibility of delivering over and beyond the existing benchmarks. While Taj mirrors unparalleled experience in hosting grand events, international conventions, it is an art that has been perfected over the last 113 years,” he signed off.
Image: The bedroom at the Presidential Villa at Taj Exotica, Goa. Photograph courtesy: Taj Hotels.