Celebrity chef puts British emphasis on gourmet dinner

Apr 1, 2009, 11:43 GMT

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is offering world leaders a distinctive taste of Britain with the gourmet menu he has prepared for a private dinner of the Group of 20 (G20) participants. EPA/Federico Gambarini

London - Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is offering world leaders a distinctive taste of Britain with the gourmet menu he has prepared for a private dinner of the Group of 20 (G20) participants.

The Downing Street gathering, with US President Barack Obama and his wife as the star guests, will dine on the best of seasonal produce from around Britain.

However, heads of states will be eating in separate rooms from their spouses so that political discussions can continue over dinner.

The meal begins with organic salmon from the Scottish Shetland islands, served with samphire and sea kale, a selection of vegetables and Irish soda bread.

For the main course, Oliver chose slow-roasted shoulder of lamb from north Wales, with Jersey Royal potatoes, wild mushrooms and mint sauce.

Dessert will be an old teatime favourite: a Bakewell tart and custard.

Vegetarians at the meal will be offered a goat's cheese starter and lovage and potato dumplings for the main course.

'I'm very, very proud of my country and its food traditions and I know that the guests at Downing Street will be in for a real treat,' said Oliver.

He will take over the Downing Street kitchens with eight current apprentices from his restaurant, Fifteen.

At the dinner for spouses, US First Lady Michelle Obama will be seated between Harry Potter author JK Rowling and Olympic gold medallist Kelly Holmes.

Model Naomi Campbell will be among celebrities present from the worlds of fashion, sport, business and the arts.