Bon appétit, Mr. President!

With a schedule as hectic as that of the South African president, it takes superior time management and innovative thinking to create healthy and flavoursome dishes - whether preparing and hosting foreign guests for a state dinner or the First Family for a home-cooked meal. Hilton Little, chef to the South African president and member of the exclusive Club de Chefs des Chefs (Club of Leaders' Chefs), believes that every one who sits down to his food should feel like a VIP. It's the belief in good, old-fashioned South African hospitality that has made Hilton the first choice of both Mr Nelson Mandela and President Thabo Mbeki. Bon Appétit, Mr President is a collection of recipes that have been tried and tested during the past 11 years - Hilton's time at the Presidency, and includes both formal and informal dishes ranging from Deboned rack of lamb with a spicy chicken and leek stuffing and Poached pears filled with dates and almonds to Tripe and onions in white sauce, Umngqusho (one of Madiba's favourites) and South African milk tart. A special chapter is dedicated to international dishes that both Mr Mandela and President Mbeki have enjoyed on foreign state visits.