Express press service

CHENNAI: As Chennai chess enthusiasts revel in battles between 2,000 astute minds from 190 countries at the 44th Chess Olympiad, the world’s premier chess tournament on the outskirts of Chennai from July 28 , players will be able to savor the best of the world’s cuisines.

The All-India Chess Federation (AICF), which organizes the event, brought in Hemant Oberoi, the retired head chef of the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, to oversee the preparation of dishes from Italy, Japan, China, Mexico, West Asia, and France, excluding India.

The seasoned foodie will ensure that the menu meets the requirements of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The competition, which will take place from July 28 to August 10, will see the arrival of nearly 5,000 visitors, including the players, in the city.

“Interpreters are arranged in six languages ​​French, German, Spanish, Arabic, English and Russian to assist the players,” said KP Karthikeyan, member secretary of the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority.

No less than 37 star hotels in Mamallapuram, along the East Coast Road, have been shortlisted for the accommodation of the participants, and the state food safety department has required them to obtain a hygiene certificate, the highest quality benchmark for food business operators.

“8 to 10 hotels got hygiene ratings”

Food safety department officials recently conducted a training program for hotel staff on globally accepted hygienic conditions for food preparation. “The hygiene of places where food is prepared, storage facilities, water condition, solid waste management and other facilities in all hotels have been inspected,” an official said.

“We asked them to obtain a water analysis report, initiate pest control measures and obtain a temperature control system and a medical certificate of fitness for food handlers. .Based on third-party inspection, certificates will be issued,” he added.

At present, about eight to 10 hotels have received the hygiene ratings and more are being guided to achieve the highest ratings in third-party audits by the food safety department, the official added. This is the first time India has hosted the mega event, which had its first edition in 1927.

As the event was organized at short notice, the government of Tamil Nadu had formed special committees and allocated Rs 92.13 crore for it.