In January 2026, President Droupadi Murmu hosted a state banquet at Rashtrapati Bhavan for EU leaders **Ursula von der Leyen** and **Antonio Costa**. The dinner was a "Himalayan Odyssey," curated by celebrated **Chef Prateek Sadhu** (of the award-winning restaurant *NAAR*) and **Chef Kamlesh Negi**.

The menu was a sophisticated deep dive into the culinary traditions of Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Northeast.

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## 🏔️ The Himalayan State Banquet Menu

### **Small Plates & Appetizers**

* **Jakhiya Aloo:** Uttarakhand-style potatoes tempered with wild mustard seeds (*jakhiya*), served on a crisp mathri tart with green tomato chutney.

* **Jhangora ki Kheer:** A modern twist on barnyard millet pudding, encased in a white chocolate shell and seasoned with "meah" berry salt from Meghalaya.

* **Nimbu Saan:** A refreshing Kumaoni salad featuring hill lemon, green garlic, yogurt, and hemp seeds.

### **Soup & Starters**

* **Sunderkala Thichoni:** A warm buckwheat noodle soup from Munsiyari (Uttarakhand) with Tibetan influences, served in a light potato and turnip broth.

* **Yak Cheese Custard:** A silky custard representing Ladakhi flavors, paired with **Bhaang Mathri** (hemp seed crisps).

* **Bichhu Buti Patta:** Stinging nettle leaves glazed with Himalayan mustard and served with dehydrated bottle gourd (*lauki*).

### **The Main Course**

* **Guchhi & Solan Mushrooms:** Prized Kashmiri morels and mushrooms from Solan, slow-cooked in a burnt tomato and poppy seed sauce.

* **Himachali Swarnu Rice:** Fragrant red rice served alongside a **Trio of Chutneys** (Rai leaf, Kashmiri walnut *doon chetin*, and Nagaland's fermented soybean *akhuni*).

* **Kashmiri Katlam:** A traditional flaky bread served with coriander butter.

### **Desserts & Fruits**

* **Ragi & Kashmiri Apple Cake:** A rustic yet refined cake served with *timru* (Sichuan pepper) and sea buckthorn cream.

* **Dima Hasao Coffee Custard:** Decadent custard made from Assam coffee beans, layered with dates and raw cacao.

* **Honey-Dressed Persimmon:** Fresh fruit drizzled with wild Himalayan honey and *jambhiri* lemon.

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## 🖋️ Cultural Diplomacy

The evening was as much about "soft power" as it was about the **India-EU Free Trade Agreement** signed earlier that day.

* **The Chefs:** Prateek Sadhu is renowned for putting Himalayan cuisine on the global map (his restaurant *NAAR* ranked 66th in Asia's Best 2025).

* **The Fashion:** EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen complemented the theme by wearing a yellow kurta jacket and a bandhani stole by Indian designers Abraham & Thakore.

**Would you like me to find the specific recipe for one of these dishes, or perhaps more details on the India-EU trade deals discussed that night?**