BRICS Veg Dinner Row: Former Iceland President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson Recalls Serving APJ Abdul Kalam An All-Veg Feast
The all-vegetarian menu at the BRICS gala dinner in New Delhi has triggered a debate over whether the menu adequately reflected India’s diverse culinary traditions. Amid the discussion, former Iceland President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson recalled an earlier occasion when he hosted former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam with a completely vegetarian state dinner. "When I hosted the President of…
Former Iceland President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson described hosting former Indian President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam at a state dinner in Iceland more than two decades ago, featuring an entirely vegetarian menu. Grímsson recounted the occasion on X, noting the challenge of providing vegetarian options in Iceland. This memory surfaced as the BRICS dinner in New Delhi faced criticism for its all-vegetarian menu, which some questioned for not including non-vegetarian dishes.
Supporters defended the menu, emphasizing its variety and sophistication, aimed at showcasing India’s regional produce, culinary heritage, and contemporary cooking techniques. The menu included ingredients like Himalayan morels, saffron, mamra almonds, sheermal, and millets, reflecting various Indian regions and fine-dining interpretations.
Despite the debate, the dishes represented a blend of traditional Indian cuisine with luxury ingredients, emphasizing India’s diverse food culture while excluding non-vegetarian options.
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