If we are what we eat, then mainland citizens may take some comfort in the healthy culinary habits of President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. Unlike former president Jiang Zemin, who favours bloody steaks, barbecued meats and dishes with strong aromas - according to Diaoyutai State Guesthouse chef Hao Baoli - the two leaders have simple tastes: generally preferring steamed vegetables and fish. 'Both Mr Hu and Mr Wen like their food simple, light and healthy,' said Mr Hao, who is in town with his entourage of 17 assistants to serve up banquets at the Jockey Club for a week, starting today. Mr Hao has served three generations of mainland leaders and countless foreign dignitaries. Yesterday, he shared some state secrets about their dietary habits. Late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping liked spicy noodles and fish ball soup, which former premier Zhu Rongji also enjoyed. Like a typical tycoon, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa has the most expensive tastes of the lot: shark's fin mixed with rice, bird's nest soup and black caviar. 'I once cooked a cold fish dish for [Mr Tung] who liked it so much we doggy-bagged some extra for him to take home to Hong Kong for his wife,' Mr Hao said. The country's official chef will be dishing out banquets for 90 members and guests of the Jockey Club every day. But his culinary offerings will not be available to the public.
