Four-time Michelin-starred Chef Vikas Khanna will prepare the lavish dinner.
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with 47 top American CEOs for dinner at the Waldorf Astoria on Thursday, he will be inviting them to feast on India - literally. An all organic meal prepared by four-time Michelin-starred Chef Vikas Khanna will be based on the foods of the Festivals of India, from the south to the North-east.
The fusion wonders for the evening include Sandalwood Saffron Sherbet, Pomegranate Sangria With Tandoori Pineapple, Paneer Ravioli, Thandai Chicken, Mizoram Black Rice Khichdi, Saffron Sheermal, Mango-Ginger Soup and Coconut Rice Creme Brulee - all creations of the celebrated Chef who says he learnt how to cook from his 'Biji' (grandmother) in Amritsar.
But what's really on the menu is - business and investment. One official pointed out that the collective worth of the CEOs at the PM's dinner - which will be moderated in an interactive format by Fortune Editor Alan Murray - is 4.5 trillion dollars. That makes their value more than twice of India's Gross Domestic Product or GDP.
Among the companies whose CEOs will be in conversation with Prime Minister Modi are Ford, Lockheed Martin, Citigroup, Dupont, Goldman Sachs, BlackStone, Boeing, Cargill, Starwood, Paypal and IBM - covering the gamut from automobiles to defence and from hotels to private equity.
The fact that the Indo-US strategic and commercial dialogue was clubbed this time is a sign of how the route to Washington must first pass through Wall Street.