The Queen will mark her
Platinum Jubilee in June, and we’re sure that there will be a myriad of ways
that people will mark the landmark moment across the nation.
One of the ways that the
Jubilee is being commemorated is with the Platinum Jubilee Cookbook which
highlights the wide range of delicacies from across the world that the royals
have dined on during their tours. And to give it that extra royal
flair, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have
written a joint foreword for the book.
In the foreword, the royal
couple briefly mentions Her Majesty, as they write: “Seventy years ago,
when The Queen came to the Throne, the culinary outlook in the United
Kingdom was bleak: several foods were still rationed and the meagre choice of
ingredients on offer posed a challenge to even the most creative cook.
“Meals from other parts
of the world were almost unheard of. The only option for a takeaway was
the ever-faithful fish and chips; and olive oil was sold in small bottles by
chemists, for medical rather than culinary use. Today, our tastes have been
transformed. More than ever before we welcome one another’s culinary
heritage into our homes – and, for this, we are deeply grateful.”
They added: “What has not
changed is the profound, almost spiritual, significance of breaking bread with
others, be they family, friends or strangers. A shared meal has always been a
path to building relationships and resolving differences. While we all know
this instinctively to be true in our daily lives, this book reveals that
food is equally essential to our country’s diplomatic relations.
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The pair have sampled dishes from across the world
“Some of the recipes in
this wonderful collection from our network of diplomatic posts are
authentically local; some are proudly British; and others represent the coming
together of British and local influences, often to spectacular effect.
“What shines through is a
sense of the excitement and pleasure that our diplomats have experienced from
discovering a local cuisine and, through it, a new country and people. It is,
we think, also a fitting tribute to those Residence Chefs and Managers who are
often unsung heroes and heroines – as important as ambassadors for our country
as are our diplomats.”
They also gave a small insight
into a royal tour, as they explained: “On all Royal Visits, food plays an
important part, presenting opportunities to enjoy a taste of the host nation’s
culinary heritage, while also offering a chance to share the best of British
cuisine.
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The Platinum Jubilee Cookbook, £30.00, Waterstones
“We recognize some of the
dishes here, from the British-Malaysian fusion Rendang Beef Wellington we
enjoyed in Kuala Lumpur, through to the utterly delicious, whisky bread and
butter pudding we enjoyed in Washington.”
They finished by saying:
“As we come together as a nation, in the Realms, and across the
Commonwealth to celebrate Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, food will no doubt
play a central part in our public and private celebrations. We only hope that
this book provides you with both pleasure and inspiration, and that food
continues to bring you together with family, friends, neighbours and your
community.”
