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{{short description|Indian chef based in New Delhi (born 1982)}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=April 2018}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}

'''Montu Saini''' (born 5 August 1982) is an Indian [[chef]] based in [[New Delhi]]. He was posted as Executive chef to the [[President of India]] in the [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]] from June, 2015 to July, 2020.<ref name="Huffington Post India">{{Cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/10/26/president-of-india-chef-rashtrapati-bhavan-kitchen_a_21592120/|title=Meet The Man Who Cooks For The President Of India|date=2016-10-26|work=Huffington Post India|access-date=2018-02-06|language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/people/meet-the-man-who-cooks-for-the-president-of-india/all-about-food/slideshow/55542928.cms|title=Meet the man who cooks for the President of India - All about food|website=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.expressbpd.com/fhw/chefs-platter/cooking-for-the-president/253667/|title=Cooking for the President - BPD|website=www.expressbpd.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-06}}</ref><ref name="The Better India">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/74600/montu-saini-chef-president-of-india-club-des-chefs-des-chefs/|title=What is it Like to Cook for the President of India? The Power Chef at Rashtrapati Bhawan Spills the Beans|date=2016-11-12|work=The Better India|access-date=2018-02-06|language=en-US}}</ref> He is the recipient of '''"Young Hotel Chef"''' Award 2014<ref>{{Cite journal|date=September 2014|title=HRANI Hospitality|url=http://www.hrani.net.in/publications/HRANIHospitalitySeptember2014.pdf|journal=HRANI Hospitality|publisher=Hotel & Restaurant Association of Northern India|volume= 9| issue = 2|pages=16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=20227&sid=7|title=Hospitality Biz India :: Young achievers honoured at annual FHRAI Awards|website=www.hospitalitybizindia.com|access-date=2018-02-06}}</ref> from Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Association Of India and "'''Master Chef"''' Award 2014 from Indian Culinary Forum

Montu Saini was associated with [[Ashok Group|Ashok Group of Hotel]] since 2005. He joined Ashok Group of Hotels as a Kitchen Management Trainee and became a [[Chef]] in 2007 promoting to [[Sous chef|Sous Chef]] in March 2014. Notably he is also the youngest member of the [[Le Club des Chefs des Chefs|Club des Chefs des Chefs]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.chefs-des-chefs.com/members/|title=Members - club des chefs des chefs|work=club des chefs des chefs|access-date=2018-02-06|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="The Better India"/>

As a Presidents Secretariat headed the kitchen Brigade of family and state banquets. He has hosted banquets to some of the highest dignitaries of the world from countries like Tanzania,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/25369/State+visit+of+President+of+the+United+Republic+of+Tanzania+to+India+June+17++21+2015|title=State visit of President of the United Republic of Tanzania to India (June 17 – 21, 2015)|website=www.mea.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2018-02-06}}</ref> [[Mozambique|Republic of Mozambique]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/25568/State+visit+of+President+of+the+Republic+of+Mozambique+to+India+August+4++8+2015|title=State visit of President of the Republic of Mozambique to India (August 4 - 8, 2015)|website=mea.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref> [[France|French Republic]],<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/french-president-francois-hollande-on-a-3-day-visit-to-india-live-updates-1269386|title=President Pranab Mukherjee Hosts Banquet For French President Francois Hollande: Live Updates|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref> [[Abu Dhabi]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/abu-dhabi-crown-prince-sheikh-mohamed-bin-zayed-al-nahyan-to-be-chief-guest-on-republic-day/articleshow/54643505.cms|title=Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to be chief guest on Republic Day|last=Chaudhury|first=Dipanjan Roy|date=2016-10-02|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref> [[Myanmar]],<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/27333/State+Visit+of+President+of+Myanmar+to+India+August+2730+2016|title=State Visit of President of Myanmar to India (August 27-30, 2016)|website=www.mea.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> [[Egypt|Republic of Egypt]],<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=149499|title=India sees Egypt as a bridge between Asia and Africa, says President|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> [[Israel]],<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=153656|title=Speech by the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee at the Banquet hosted in honour of the President of Israel, he Mr. Reuven Rivlin on November 15, 2016|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> [[Indonesia|Republic of Indonesia]]<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=155284|title=India-Indonesia Joint Statement during the State visit of President of Indonesia to India (December 12, 2016)|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> since his position as the executive chef to the president of India.

== Career ==
On 16 June 2015, he joined the President’s Secretariat as Executive Chef to the President of India, overseeing both the Family Kitchen as well as State Banquets.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://scroll.in/magazine/821684/the-executive-chef-of-the-rashtrapati-bhavan-offers-a-peek-into-his-kitchen-and-his-life|title=The executive chef of the Rashtrapati Bhavan offers a peek into his kitchen – and his life|last=Chaudhuri|first=Zinnia Ray|work=Scroll.in|access-date=2018-02-09|language=en-US}}</ref>

He designed and oversaw menus for state banquets, high teas, and luncheons hosted by the President of India for visiting heads of state and other dignitaries from India and abroad. While he specialises in dishes from across the world, his signature creations include Subz Baoli Handi—slow-cooked vegetables in the dum style, using their own juices—and Murgh Darbari, a chicken curry inspired by nihari, prepared with roasted wheat and red chilli powder.<ref name="Huffington Post India"/>

Busiest days of the year are of state banquets and various ceremonies, including the swearing-in, award functions, etc. But the real challenge, he said, are on days such 15 August and 26 January, when the President organizes At Home, which is attended by around 1,500-2,500 people. The third [[Third India-Africa Forum Summit|India-Africa Forum Summit]] where he and his team served 54 [[Head of state|Heads of States]] at One Table in November 2015 was one of the reputed events of his career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mea.gov.in/india-africa-forum-summit-2015/index.html#|title=INDIA AFRICA FORUM SUMMIT|last=KevinStudio|website=mea.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2018-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/columns/indiaafrica-summit-beyond-the-event/article7862362.ece|title=India-Africa summit: beyond the event|last=Haidar|first=Suhasini|date=2015-11-09|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-02-06|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> This was the biggest State Banquet ever conducted by the Palace. Recently ASEAN [[Head of state|Heads of States]] from 10 neighboring countries were also served at one table.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-to-invite-heads-of-10-asean-nations-for-republic-day-celebtations/articleshow/59497883.cms|title=India to invite heads of 10 Asean nations for Republic Day celebrations - Times of India ►|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-02-06}}</ref>

== Media ==
Montu Saini, organized the general assembly of one of the world's most elite gatherings of culinary experts: [[Le Club des Chefs des Chefs]] (CCC). India hosted the annual assembly of CCC for the first time in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.enca.com/life/food-wine/worlds-most-exclusive-gastronomic-society-meets-in-delhi|title=World's most exclusive gastronomic society meets in Delhi|website=www.enca.com|language=en|access-date=2018-02-09}}</ref> The club was greeted & hosted by The then President of India [[Pranab Mukherjee|Shri Pranab Mukherjee]] in the palace. Honorable Prime Minister Shri [[Narendra Modi]] also hosted a Hi-Tea on 25 October 2016, in [[Rashtrapati Bhavan]], New Delhi, India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://varlimedia.com/montu-saini-executive-chef-to-the-president-of-india-hosts-the-worlds-most-exclusive-culinary-event/|title=Montu Saini – Executive Chef to the President of India hosts the World’s Most Exclusive Culinary Event {{!}} Varli Media|website=varlimedia.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sommelierindia.com/montu-saini-indias-chef-in-chief/|title=Montu Saini, India's Chef-in-Chief {{!}} Sommelier India|date=2017-04-23|work=Sommelier India|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theman.in/luxury-and-fine-living/all-the-presidents-chefs.html|title=All The Presidents’ Chefs|work=theman.in|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/world-leaders-personal-chefs-meet-in-delhi-1479345|title=World Leaders' Personal Chefs Meet In Delhi|work=NDTV.com|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/variety/of-kitchen-politics-and-culinary-diplomats/article8467165.ece|title=Of Kitchen politics and culinary diplomats|work=@businessline|access-date=2018-02-09|language=en}}</ref>

He was the jury member of Spice Route culinary festival where chef from 15 nations gathered in [[Kochi]] in 2016 organized by [[Ministry of Tourism (India)|Ministry of Tourism]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/chefs-from-15-nations-at-spice-route-culinary-festival-1466514|title=Chefs From 15 Nations at Spice Route Culinary Festival|work=NDTV Food|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.unesco.org/events/international-spice-route-culinary-festival-and-competition|title=International Spice Route Culinary Festival and Competition|website=UNESCO|language=en|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/culinary-festival|title=Spice Route Culinary Festival - The Kerala Chef Competition {{!}} 23rd to 26th September 2016 {{!}} Kerala Tourism|website=www.keralatourism.org|language=en|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/travellers-from-15-nations-along-spice-route-to-call-on-port/386953/|title=Travellers from 15 nations along Spice Route to call on port|date=2016-09-22|work=The Financial Express|access-date=2018-02-08|language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saini, Montu}}
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Montu Saini - Revision history

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