Palace Chef: What's on the Royal Wedding Menu
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A culinary treat awaits the 600 guests lucky enough to score invites to the canape reception at Buckingham Palace following Kate Middleton and Prince William's April 29 wedding.
Twenty-one chefs will craft around 10,000 hot and cold canapes (about 16 per person), including delicacies such as smoked salmon on beetroot blinis and quail eggs sprinkled with celery salt.
And while the bride and groom did have some say in selection, the majority of the menu will come from the Queen herself.
"A lot of effort goes into planning," Mark Flanagan, the chief royal chef and Head of Kitchens at the Palace tells reporters. [He would not confirm whether his team is also planning the evening reception] "We're always conscious of trying to make sure we uphold people's expectations when people come to Buckingham Palace. For many it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. So, from the kitchen side of things, we want to make sure people leave with great memories."
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The chef didn't want to dish too many secrets about the bites, but he did say guests, as always, can expect food that showcases British produce.
"We work with tremendous suppliers. We're constantly updated on what's in season, what's available and when it's coming to us," said Flanagan, who's worked at the Palace a decade. "Our biggest operational challenge [for the reception] will be with the bank holidays being so close together. Getting fresh produce can be difficult around times like that, however we've already had our conversations with our suppliers to make sure that it will all come together."
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Though the planning may be meticulous, the chef notes things really won't come together until the day of.
"There is a lot of preparatory work we would love to do in advance, but it's just not possible," he says. "Most of the fine detail takes place at the very last minute, when the guests literally come in to the rooms. Only then can we add the final touches. On the day [of the wedding] it will be about double and triple checking everything, making sure nothing is forgotten or left to chance!"
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7I'd tell the Queen to get lost. She picks the food? I agree w/ everyone else, it's getting to be too much. But @ Victoria Van Natta opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one. It's all fair game w/ opinions
Jerry Seinfeld said best - this is nothing more than a circus act. It's what the British do best. We're supposed to believe this is some love story? Who invites the entire world to their wedding? Can't wait for this damn crap to be OVER already!
I am looking forward to seeing a traditional royal wedding.
I like reading about it. It's fun to see what is going to happen. It's like reading a story or a novel, the little details, while dull at times, give you a sense of the larger picture. Filomena, if you feel that passionate about not caring why are you reading this story anyway?
Wait and tomorrow the media will show what Kate is going to wear on her nuptial night, if she will shave her privates or not, I can't understand what is all the fuss about a wedding. Wait a couple of years and bad stuff will come out from it (like most marriages around) and then it will be interesting to read.
Sweet Jesus, we are gonna hear about these two on the news and in the papers EVERY FREAKIN DAY until the day they get married, and then!!! We are gonna hear about them EVERY FREAKIN DAY on their honeymoon, and perhaps everyday thereafter. People are gonna get sick of hearing about these two soon enough. It's played out already, and a YAWN if you ask me. Besides, I am sure I can speak for millions of people out there and say " WHO GIVES A SHI*!!!!!!!
I don't understand what the big deal is. Just slap some burgers and hot dogs on the grill and be done with it! Why they gotta make a big deal about LUNCH!!!!