When leaders of the 20 richest economies put their heads together to work out solutions to get the world economy back on track on April 2, they will be doing so after a dinner scaled down from 18-courses last year to six - an indication of the tough times we are in.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown will host 19 guests of honor on the eve of the G20 summit in London. The dinner, however, will reflect the somber economic times we are in and will be a far cry from the lavish spread Brown devoured during last year's G8 summit in Japan. That dinner featured 18 dishes including black truffles, milk-fed lamb flavored with aromatic herbs and mustard, French wine and champagne and the best Japanese rice wine.

This year, Jamie Oliver, the British chef who rose to stardom with his TV show The Naked Chef, will lead apprentices from his London restaurant to prepare a banquet of six courses, according to local media reports.

Although Oliver has kept his menu secret, his spokesman revealed that pork would be excluded from the menu. It has been reported that Oliver extensively discussed his ingredients with staff of 19 embassies and British diplomats for their approval.

After the leaders, including Chinese President Hu Jintao, finish their meal, Brown will present them gift bags, containing a tie, a candle, a tea towel and chocolates.

Although the media have termed it the "understated goodie bag", Brown has said the gifts are meant to showcase "British creativity".

The tie will be designed by one of the three British tailors known as new generation Savile Row: Ozwald Boateng, Timothy Everest and Richard James. Brown wears bespoke suits designed by Everest.

The tea towels will come from Ulster-based linen producer Thomas Ferguson Irish Linen. Celebrity designer Kelly Hoppen will provide the candles, while the chocolates will come from Rococo Chocolates, founded by Chantal Coady.

Despite the "sober and austere" reception, the bill for the day-long G20 Summit is expected to run up to as high as 20 million pounds ($30.9 million) in taxpayers' money. Of the spending, a big chunk - some $8.7 million - will be for security arrangements as London gears up for a week of demonstrations and rallies.

(China Daily March 30, 2009)