A salad spread at Trident Hyderabad
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
As Hyderabad, Telangana, plays host to the Miss World 2025 pageant, we cannot help but wonder: what is on the menu for the 108 contestants? Are they nibbling on salads, or trying our local idli, dosa, and vada?
To find out, we visit Trident Hyderabad — the official host hotel for the 25-day event, with the final slated for May 31 — where we caught up with Sous Chef Anubhav Mathur, fresh from wrapping up a fun ‘make-your-own-pizza’ night with the contestants. The 108 contestants have chaperones who take care of their needs and assist them with their schedules. A total of 157 guests from the Miss World team are staying at the property.
Chef Anubhav adding the finishing touches to a pizza
| Photo Credit:
The Hindu
“There’s no fixed diet chart,” he says. “We were asked to keep the food international, considering the wide range of nationalities. To make dining easier and more private, we’ve dedicated our Tuscany restaurant exclusively to them. The menu includes dishes from all three of our outlets — Amara is the all-day dining multi-cuisine restaurant, Kanak, serves Indian food and Tuscany is the Italian specialty restaurant.”
Participants of Miss World 2025 at a fun event
| Photo Credit:
Siddhant Thakur
Are Indian flavours still on the table? “Absolutely. We’ve toned down the spice levels and tailored Indian dishes to suit their dietary preferences,” said Anubhav. “They enjoy dishes like palak paneer, dals, grilled meats in malai marinade, and a range of Indian breads. On the international side, we offer a selection of meats, fish, and high-protein salads.”
Some crowd-favourite salads include beetroot and feta, grilled chicken, egg salad, and sweet potato salad. Telangana’s local ingredients also feature along with millet breads, low-oil vegetable stir fries with courgettes, aubergines, bell peppers and mushrooms. Cleanse juices are also asked for.
Miss World 2025 contestants during a Zumba session
| Photo Credit:
Nagara Gopal
Even biryani has made its way onto the menu. “It’s very mild, flavourful but without the typical heat of chilli or red chilli powder,” said Anubhav. “They’re open to trying local flavours, though mindful of carb intake.” The contestant from Wales, Millie-Mae Adams, says she was worried about her nut allergy. “But the hotel has taken care of my food very well. They don’t forget about my allergy concerns,” she said.
Dishes like pan seared salmon are a staple for dinners and lunches when they aren’t eating breads and biryani.
| Photo Credit:
Siddhant Thakur
The kitchen also accommodates vegan requirements with dishes made in light, oil-free gravies featuring millets, raw jackfruit, and sweet potatoes. “The vegan contestants are especially curious about the ingredients and recipes,” he added.
Desserts have been the most fun, and the most challenging. “We make all our ice creams in-house, so they get to try unique flavours like rose and pistachio. We also did flourless cake one night. In our desserts, sugar is replaced with dates, and we also offer mixed nut ladoos and healthy snack bites.” From millet rotis to date-sweetened treats, the menu is a celebration of thoughtful, flavourful, and globally-minded cuisine.
Chef Rakshay at Trident Hyderabad prepares a pan-seared salmon
| Photo Credit:
Siddhant Thakur
Hana Johns, Miss World contestant from Northern Ireland, loved the biryani “I had the biryani for three days and I cannot get enough of it.”
Miss World Contestant from Kenya, Grace Ramtu says, “The chicken curry is my absolute favourite. My eyes light-up when I see chicken curry for any meal.”
The finals of the 72nd edition of the Miss World pageant is to be held at the HITEX Exhibition Centre in Hyderabad, Telangana, India, May 31, 2025
Published – May 23, 2025 10:06 am IST
