BRICS Summit: From Galouti Kebabs to Edible Lotus – What’s on the World Leaders’ Menu in Delhi | Today’s news
India is hosting the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in the nation’s capital this weekend. The two-day summit will be held at the Bharat Mandapam on 12-13 September.
A high-profile summit held in Bharat Mandapambrings together leaders of BRICS member and partner countries as well as invited persons.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi JinpingSouth African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi are among the global leaders attending the summit. Putin has already landed in Delhi.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
Leaders at the BRICS summit will enjoy a distinctly Indian menu with dishes such as Galouti kebabs, Kashmiri spiced walnuts and an edible lotus made with rose, saffron and cardamom.
The edible lotus is significant as it represents India’s national flower and symbolizes the BRICS India 2026 identity that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the host country.
The hotel’s chefs prepare by putting together specially designed menus that blend Indian culinary traditions with contemporary influences to create an exceptional experience for delegates.
Yes, the menu has been thoughtfully curated to include a variety of dishes that celebrate India’s culinary diversity while taking into account guests’ nutritional preferences and cultural backgrounds.
The theme of the 18th BRICS Summit is “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability” with a focus on strengthening cooperation among member countries.
Global leaders accompanied by spouses, diplomats and business delegations stay as guests in luxury hotels in Delhi, where special dining menus have been designed for them. For obvious reasons, these hotels in the national capital pull out all the stops to give visiting dignitaries a taste of India.
What’s on offer for global leaders, businessmen and diplomats?
From Kashmiri spiced walnuts and Galouti kebabs to an edible lotus made of rose, saffron and cardamom, hotel chefs will be dishing out a distinctly Indian spread to delegates attending the BRICS summit, NDTV reported.
From Kashmiri spiced walnuts and Galawati kebabs to edible lotus made with rose, saffron and cardamom, the hotel’s chefs will be dishing up a distinctly Indian spread for delegates attending the BRICS summit.(Gemini)
Delhi’s top hotels – Taj Mahal, The Leela Palace and The LaLiT will offer guests a blend of Indian cuisine with contemporary and international influences, according to an NDTV report. LiveMint did not see the offer.
For example, the Taj Mahal welcomes VVIP guests with what is popularly known as “Tradition to the Table”. It is essentially a collection of recipes curated by Thai chefs and inspired by their oldest culinary mentors, their mothers. The aim is to showcase the spirit of Indian hospitality and the soul of our culinary traditions.
Spiced Walnuts from Kashmir, Purani Dilli Maida Kaju, Bhakarwadi from Maharashtra, Rajasthan’s Mini Kachori, Bengal’s Kucho Nimki and Murukku from Tamil Nadu would be on the menu, according to NDTV.
“This memento reflects the diversity and richness of India’s culinary heritage and embodies the warmth, care and spirit of connection that define the Taj experience,” Dr. Anmol Ahluwalia, Area Director – Operations & General Manager, Taj Mahal, New Delhi.
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Similar to The Leela Palace, which as usual also hosts VVIP guests, the chefs will offer a thoughtfully prepared dining experience that celebrates the country’s heritage with a modern flair.
Edible lotus on offer
This includes a special hand-crafted edible lotus, chosen for its layered meaning as India’s national flower. Incidentally, the lotus is a symbol reflected in India’s BRICS 2026 identity as well as the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election symbol.
Crafted from rose, saffron and cardamom and paired with native Indian fruits, the lotus combines meaning and craftsmanship in a distinctive expression of India, an NDTV report said.
This is complemented by Aujasya by The Leela biscuits, handmade granola bars and wellness infusions that combine the richness of Indian ingredients with a more modern approach to nutrition, Karan Thakur, executive chef at The Leela Palace New Delhi, told NDTV.
Aujasya Millet Biscuits by The Leela are part of the luxury hotel group’s signature holistic wellness program. The Aujasya by The Leela range, which was launched in collaboration with renowned food and nutrition consultant Dr. Ankita Jalori, focuses on the concept of “Restore” (body nourishment) and “Renew” (mindfulness).
With security measures, reception protocols and specially adapted menus, the luxury hotel is preparing to welcome delegates from five countries, said CEO Preeti Makhija.
Speaking to ANI, Makhija shared that efforts are being made to create an unforgettable experience for all involved. “Our team is excited about it and the whole hotel is preparing for it. From security measures to the welcome at the reception, a special menu is also being prepared for them,” she added.
The specially adapted menus include a range of Indian spices and traditional grains and ingredients, including barley, millet, jowar and sattu.
The hotel’s restaurants and in-room dining also offer special dishes from Jamavar Indian Restaurant.
And The LaLit has also prepared a special menu for guests. The spread celebrates India’s rich regional culinary heritage while bringing in subtle influences that reflect the spirit of the gathering, NDTV reported. The menu moves beyond conventional banquet fare, with refined interpretations of classics such as kebab galouti and tandoori bread, along with a strong selection of millets that highlight both India’s nutritional traditions and contemporary culinary options.
Galouti or Galawati kebab is a legendary melt-in-your-mouth minced meat patty from Awadhi cuisine, traditionally invented in Lucknow for the royal Nawab.
The summit begins on September 12 with the leaders arriving at the Bharat Mandapam at 2 pm. This will be followed by a closed session and a “family” photo shoot. A gala dinner for the delegates is scheduled for Saturday at 7.30 pm at the Bharat Mandapam.
The summit will continue at the Bharat Mandapam on Sunday at 10 am.
Complete BRICS 2026 Summit Itinerary
Saturday, September 12, 2026
-14:00: Arrival of BRICS leaders (BRICS member countries)
Venue: Level 2, Bharat Mandapam
-14:35: Closed session for BRICS member countries: “Inclusive global governance and strengthening multilateralism”
Venue: Summit Hall, Level 2, Bharat Mandapam
-16:25: Testimony of “Bharat Innovates Exhibition (Leaders of BRICS Member Countries)
Venue: Hall 14, Bharat Mandapam
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-17:05: Family Photo (leaders of BRICS member countries)
Venue: Outside Lawns, Bharat Mandapam
-17:10: Joint tree plantation (leaders of BRICS member countries)
Venue: Outside Lawns, Bharat Mandapam
-19:30: Festive dinner hosted by the Prime Minister
Venue: Level 3, Bharat Mandapam
Sunday, September 13, 2026
-9:55: Arrival of leaders (HOGs/HODs) of BRICS partner countries/outreach invitees
Venue: Level 2, Bharat Mandapam
Venue: Level 2, Bharat Mandapam
-10:50: Open Session “Resilience, Innovation, Collaboration and Sustainability: Shaping the Future for Inclusive Global Growth”
Venue: Summit Hall, Level 2, Bharat Mandapam
Our team is excited about it and the whole hotel is preparing for it. From security measures to welcome at the reception, a special menu is also being prepared for them.
An NDTV report said the chefs have also created several signature dishes, including Braised Eggplant with Miso Paste, Braised Chinese Cabbage and Sweet Japanese-Style Beans with Amber Sauce at The LaLit.
