Australia’s finest produce is being flown to Queensland in preparation for some hunger-inducing debates.
So will Putin be pleased with pavlova? Does Merkel like mangoes? Do any of them know what a Moreton Bay bug is?
These are the questions on food-lovers lips as the G20 menu is finalised.
While the exact details are still under wraps, here’s what Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre’s head chef Martin Latter has revealed about what will be on the power players’ plates.
BREAKFAST
The Europeans will be delighted with the pastry selection. Source: Supplied
The politicians will start the day in true continental fashion, with as many as 10,000 croissants and 5000 Danish pastries being served up at the event.
They’ll need some serious caffeine to stay awake through all those meetings of course, and the centre’s 700 staff are expecting to serve 100,000 cups of fresh Aussie coffee.
For the more health conscious, there’ll be a vast array of local fruit, including Bowen mangoes and pineapples from the Sunshine Coast. In total, the attendees are expected to demolish 30,000 pieces of the stuff.
Every meal will be served on brand new crockery, silverware and glassware, to ensure there are no cracks in Australia’s image.
LUNCH
Brisbane’s culinary masters will be making sure the leaders tick off all the main food groups. Source: Supplied
The 100 chefs have been toiling for 14 hours a day in preparation for filling the bellies of 25 world leaders and 4000 power-hungry delegates.
Australia’s seafood will take centre stage, with Moreton Bay bugs sharing the limelight with our finest prawns and crab.
In total, 25,000kg of fresh produce has been ordered for 100,000 meals.
Vital brain food will be offered in the form of local Scenic Rim beef and Queensland’s top chefs will be making sure the pollies get their greens with fresh Lockyer Valley vegetables.
DINNER
No meat-eating visitor could leave Australia with out sampling a barbecued steak. Source: Supplied
It’s thought that Tony Abbott will share his favourite Porterhouse steak, cooked on the barbie, with the visiting dignitaries.
Tender Warwick lamb could also be on the menu, with the food cooked in good-quality Rathdowney olive oil.
Mr Latter’s food has previously proved a hit with the demanding royal family, and the Queen reportedly even asked for a recipe to take back to the chefs at the Palace.
He may be hoping that Obama will be stealing some ideas for the White House.
SWEETS
Gourmet pavlovas and TimTams should tickle those tastebuds. Source: Supplied
Even the strongest wills can be broken with a heart-meltingly delicious dessert.
That’s why as many as 100,000 sweet treats will be available at the event.
As well as grabbing a classic Aussie TimTam for a quick sugar hit, delegates will also be served a traditional pavlova — which may well appeal to Vladimir Putin, since it’s named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.
After that, they’ll be knocking back the Penfolds wine to relax from those taxing arguments. Let’s hope they don’t get carried away — this is one work event at which no one wants to embarrass themselves.
THE BIG RISK
Most importantly, let’s not poison those leaders. Source: Supplied
Much of the food has been grown specially for this event, and everyone is crossing their fingers that it appeals to foreign palates.
But the real fear is that the food will actually harm the world’s most important people.
While some may be screening the food for arsenic, there’s no guarding against dodgy tummies.
Queensland’s Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young has said she’s more worried about a mass outbreak of food poisoning than a terror attack, with hospitals primed for a rush on their beds.
That could be a real disaster for our culinary reputation.