The Delhi government has officially rolled out a lavish and extensive catering menu for its official events and functions. The menu, comprising over 200 distinct food items, aims to standardize and organize hospitality services across state events.
A Culinary Showcase for Official Hospitality
Prepared by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC), the menu is a gastronomic directory for outdoor catering services provided to government offices. This includes events hosted by the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister secretariats. The initiative is designed to bring structure to the food served at official gatherings.
The staggering variety includes 33 types of salads and chaats, 28 soups and shorbas, and 30 snack options covering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices. For the main course, there are 25 vegetarian dishes, 21 non-vegetarian dishes, 14 varieties of dals, 24 kinds of Indian breads, and 9 different raitas. The dessert section alone boasts 18 items, ensuring a sweet end to any official meal.
Choice, Flexibility, and Vendor Specifications
A government official clarified that not all 200-plus items will be available at every function. "The departments of the government holding the event will be free to choose items from the options," the official stated. This allows for customization based on the event's scale and guest profile.
The DTTDC has floated a tender to onboard vendors for this year-round service, which operates on an on-call basis. Vendors will receive essential support at venues, including space, but must adhere to strict quality standards. These standards mandate the provision of good-quality napkins, toothpicks, and bone china crockery alongside the food preparation.
Transparent Pricing Structure
The document also reveals a clear pricing model for different types of refreshments:
- Light tea is priced between Rs 80 and Rs 115 per person.
- Vegetarian high tea buffets will cost between Rs 330 and Rs 575 per person.
- Non-vegetarian high tea buffets are priced from Rs 385 to Rs 645 per person.
This move to create a standardized, extensive menu underscores the government's effort to manage official hospitality in an organized and transparent manner. It ensures a wide range of culinary choices, from golden fried chicken and mutton rogan josh to paneer tikka, dal makhani, and gulab jamun, are available to suit diverse palates at state functions.
