The menu for the Prime Minister's lunch

Preparations for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's formal sit-down lunch for 200 people on Thursday afternoon at the Darbar Hall at the Taj Palace, in honour of US President George W Bush, are hurrying forward.

Hemant Oberoi, the Taj hotel group's top chef who has flown in from Mumbai to supervise the event, spoke exclusively to rediff.com. 

"It is a four-course meal. Preparations have been on for about a week for it," he said. "No, we are not serving chicken today. We have not received any instructions from the government or the US embassy to not serve it. It was our decision because a lot of people are hesitant about eating chicken and are avoiding it."

The menu for the luncheon:

Mushroom Soup made from extracts of mushroom Seafood Platter with sea bass, crab meat and spiced prawns

Lamb Curry
Spinach and Corn Curry
Tomatoes Stuffed with Cottage Cheese (paneer)

Urlai Roast (potatoes)
Kalonji Gobhi
Yellow Dal
Tandoori Salmon served with Mango Chutney

Alphonso Mangoes with Kulfi
Masala Chai Crème Brulee

Chef Oberoi explained that since it is a formal meal no lavish decorations have been planned. Each table will be merely decorated with a posy of red roses. The diners will be predominantly Indian.

Oberoi's special contribution to the meal is the Tandoori Salmon and the Masala Chai Crème Brulee.