Mumbai:
The management at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is leaving no stone unturned to make US President Barack Obama's stay in the city 'sweet' and special.
Sources said chefs have been working for almost 24 hours to prepare an exclusive chocolate box for the president and his entourage. Interestingly, the box itself will be made of chocolate.
The chefs want to ensure the president has the choicest assortment of desserts in his suite.
"The chefs are working day and night to complete preparations before the president arrives in the hotel today.
The hotel is doing everything possible to give him a warm welcome," said the source on condition of anonymity.
"The boxes will be kept in all the VIP rooms and to give a distinct touch to the president's chocolate box, it will be embellished with the picture of the US national flag," he said.
The source said the boxes would not melt, as the entire hotel was centrally air-conditioned.
BUFFET FOR THE FLEETAbout 3,000 people are supposed to join the president. The source revealed that all the 506 rooms have been booked. "Though the president will be eating food cooked by his own chef, the hotel is preparing Indian, continental, and Chinese buffet for the fleet."
SPECIAL BARA list of imported liquor has been included in the bar to give enough variety for the guests to choose from. The bar has been stocked with Glenfiddich 40-Year-Old Rare Collection and Dom Perignon Rose Champagne from France. "Wine, whisky and champagne will be stocked in the bar. The bar will not only cater to Obama's demands, but also to those of his wife Michelle.
SECURITY AT TAJEmployees have been issued hotel and police entry pass to enter the area. "Nobody will be allowed in the area without police pass, whereas no staff will be given entry without the hotel pass. The management has instructed the staff not to loiter in the lobby when the president is in the hotel. No staff will be allowed to go out of the hotel during working hours," said the source.
MORE CARS BOOKEDMore cars have been booked for the US fleet. "Earlier 150 cars were booked which has now been increased to 225. The company which has been given the responsibility of logistics has been running from pillar to post to get more cars," said a source.
The US Consulate had booked Innova cars for sniffer dogs and Toyota and Mercedes Volvo for the rest of the fleet.