Assamese Til Pitha To Kashmiri Apple Cake: Inside President’s ‘At Home’ Reception Menu

Recently, President Droupadi Murmu hosted a traditional ‘At Home’ reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and several other guests attended the reception. But what truly caught our eye was the food. Let’s see what was on the plate this year!

President’s ‘At Home’ Reception Featured Regional Food 

Assam and North East are now at the heart of global diplomacy and an intrinsic part of Bharat’s soft power.

When yesterday, the delegation of European Union and India’s guests were invited to Hon’ble President’s ‘At Home’ reception, they were treated with authentic Assamese food… pic.twitter.com/mhL0aP3RQC

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 27, 2026

Before we get into what was served, it is worth noting that the ‘At Home’ reception is a long-standing tradition. According to DD News, it is hosted every year on Republic Day. This year’s reception was especially significant as European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the joint Chief Guests of the Republic Day parade, were also present. 

The menu showcased regional ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Dishes drew inspiration from Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the North East. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma took to his X handle to share glimpses of the authentic Assamese food served to dignitaries. The spread included Til Pitha, Til Laru and Nariyal Laru, among other traditional sweets.

We were especially delighted to see North Eastern cuisine on the menu, as it often remains underrated. Assamese food is known for its minimal use of spices and simple flavours. Laru, or laddus, are sweets usually made using locally sourced ingredients like freshly grated coconut, roasted sesame seeds, or sticky rice powder mixed with jaggery. 

Also Read: You Can Now Order Food On Swiggy Directly Through ChatGPT; Here’s How!

From Himalayan Dishes To Lip-Smacking Desserts

According to a report by NDTV, the food at the President’s reception also included Jakhiya Aloo, Jhangora ki Kheer, Meal Loon, and Sunderkala Thichoni. This is a traditional buckwheat noodle soup prepared in the Uttarakhand and Tibetan style. The main course featured Solan mushrooms with poppy seeds, burnt tomato sauce, and Himachali Swarnu Rice. These were paired with chutneys made from rai leaf, Kashmiri walnut, roasted tomato, and akhuni. 

Desserts were equally impressive. Sweet dishes included Kashmiri Apple Cake with Timru, Sea Buckthorn Cream, Coffee Custard with dates and raw cacao, and Himalayan honey-dressed persimmon. According to NDTV, the dishes were curated in collaboration with chefs Prateek Sadhu and Kamlesh Negi.

Also Read: Badshah Shows His Tiranga-Inspired Meal; Says, My Plate Learned Patriotism Before My Heart

The food at the President’s ‘At Home’ reception truly looked lip-smacking. What do you think of this menu?

Cover Image Courtesy: @himantabiswa/X