A vendor at work near Main Road. Mouth-watering dishes will be served to visitors at Khelgaon during the Games. (Manik Bose)

Ranchi, Oct. 14: Lip-smacking litti from Sahebganj, mouth-watering gulab jamun from Hazaribagh, delicious dhuska from Ranchi and ambrosial rabri from Deoghar — the National Games promises to be a treat in more than one sense.

The menu being prepared will have a generous sprinkling of local flavours so that national-level players, coaches and special guests savour the taste of Jharkhand’s hospitality even after curtains are brought down on the sporting extravaganza.

The National Games Organising Committee (NGOC) is in talks with ITDC-run Hotel Ashoka to select a spread of local delicacies. It is learnt tribal fares like hakku ka jhor, koenar ka saag, bunga ka saag, known for their unique condiments, will tickle taste buds during the 15-day Games.

Vidyut Gautam, general manager of Hotel Ashoka, said they would try out various local recipes before finalising the top 25. Also a member of NGOC’s food committee, Gautam said they had tied up with Faridabad-based Ghazal Caterer who will dish out preparations of other states, too. “Maybe, everyday we will try a new menu so that no participating state is left out,” said Vinod Mallick, in charge of the catering service.

So, lemon rice, dal, paneer, alu paratha, idli, upma, dosa et al will add a hint of flamboyance to the humble menu of this tribal heartland. Also in line are continental dishes, not to forget the ubiquitous soup in this category, besides fruits and chocolates.

The NGOC has decided to allot food courts in most stadiums such as badminton, basketball, gymnastics, aquatics, tennis and football, besides the velodrome and shooting range. Food stalls, not more than seven, will be allowed outside the sports complex. In addition to space, potable water, exhaust fans, micro ovens and refrigerators will be made available to caterers and stalls.