Asiad 20 catering serves 450 daily dishes to 11,000 athletes

The catering operations at the Asiad 20 Athletes' Village function as a miniature international food system, serving over 11,000 athletes from across the continent. Managed by Peter Wright, founder of the Global Hospitality Group, the kitchen staff includes 80 chefs from 25 different countries and approximately 200 support staff.

The kitchen operates from 5:00 AM until 1:00 AM daily, providing four meals a day. The rotating menu features approximately 450 different dishes, offering between 110 and 120 options per meal. To meet the high nutritional demands of elite athletes, the facility consumes massive quantities of food daily, including 2 tons of chicken, 800 kg of beef, 800 kg of fish, nearly 1 ton of various rice types, 60,000 bananas, and 35,000 pieces of bread.

A core philosophy of the operation is to provide cultural familiarity to help athletes feel at home. While held in Japan, the menu extends beyond local cuisine to include dishes from China, Korea, Thailand, Malaysia, the Middle East, and India. The management maintains strict attention to detail, such as ensuring chefs use specific regional condiments and adhering to religious dietary standards.