G20 Summit: What Akshata Murty said after tasting khichra made by Kunal Kapur

The PUSA-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) campus, on Saturday, played host to an esteemed group of visitors. This delegation comprised 15 spouses of G20 leaders, including Yoko Kishida, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Akshata Murty, wife of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, among others.

A highlight of the visit was a captivating live cooking session that focused on millets. This gastronomic experience was part of the celebrations marking the International Year of Millets. The cooking demonstration was led by three renowned celebrity chefs - Kunal Kapur, Anahita Dhondy, and Ajay Chopra, who showcased their culinary skills in creating a diverse range of millet-based delicacies.

Chef Kunal Kapur opened up about his experience of feeding the First Ladies in an exclusive conversation with India Today Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor. "India hosting G20 is massive and there are world leaders and politicians taking some really important decisions here. I was blessed with an opportunity to cook and showcase my India through my food and that was my little way of contributing to the larger part. It was an exciting moment as we got an opportunity to interact with the better halves of these world leaders. What I found interesting is that no matter who you meet, whether it was Akshata Murty or the First Lady of Turkey, Mauritius or Japan, food does not need any language. The expressions of satisfaction of a good tasting food, you capture like that and that is the reward for any chef like me," Chef Kunal said.

He also revealed what Akshata Murty said after she took the first bite of the Mushroom-Jowar Khichra prepared by him. "When Akshataji took the first bite of the khichra, she rolled her eyes and said, 'Wow that's the best warm homecoming I could get'," he added.

Besides the live cooking session, the visit was marked by an exhibition meticulously curated by the ministry, which highlighted India's agricultural prowess. The display included representations of farmers and advanced agricultural technology. The guests were also introduced to innovative farming techniques such as vertical and hydroponic farming, which are key to sustainable agriculture.