(26 Oct 2016) FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4062561
LEAD IN: The world's most elite chefs are in India sampling the country's gastronomy and huge array of spices first hand. The chefs are from the elite 'Club des Chefs des Chefs' and include the head cooks for Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth II.
STORY-LINE: Making their way through the bustling streets of New Delhi this elite group of chefs receives a rapturous welcome from the locals. Greeted with drums and draped in flower garlands they are naturally drawn to the huge array of foods on offer at this market. They belong to the world's most exclusive club of chefs, Le Club des Chefs des Chefs, and feed the most powerful people in the world from US President Barack Obama to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. And now these personal chefs to Heads of States are in India to partake in culinary diplomacy and taste some of the spiciest foods in the world. Cristeta Comerford is chef to US President Barack Obama and his family and says she's taking a lot from the trip. "Touring the spice market has been one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had in my life because you really get to experience everything. You smelled it, you felt it, you see the people that are working to making sure that all of these spices are brought to our homes and the chefs get to use them." Le Club Des Chefs Des Chefs was founded in 1977 in Paris by French chef Gilles Bragard. It is holding its annual general assembly here in India for the first time after being personally invited by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee. The land of spices is serving a rich spread of street food, breads and curries to the visiting delegates in the hope they'll become ambassadors for India's diverse gastronomy. Indo-Canadian chef Neil Dhawan cooks for the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his family. While he was impressed with the collection of Indian spices and aromas on display, Dhawan says the young Trudeau family "lead a very busy life" and enjoy "comfort food, home style food". The annual assembly also provides a platform for the culinary delegates to exchange recipes, learn about different food cultures and discuss ways to use food diplomacy to connect communities. The club seeks to promote local food and healthy eating habits, but was also treated to ceremonial banquets on their Indian trip. Mark Flanagan is chef to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II. He says the club has been "treated to some fantastic, different foods" prepared with moderate spices to suit their delicate stomachs. "We have such a strong Anglo-Indian relations in the UK and Indian food has become very much a part of British culture. So to see it in the real, in flesh so to speak, is fantastic," he adds. The chefs also participated in a Christmas cake mixing ceremony to which they were happy to add generous helpings of liquors and wines.
