Royal Dishes – Eat like a Royal
Contemporary British cuisine is now internationally renowned with an ever growing roster of top chefs, restaurants, quirky cafes, themed dining, alternative afternoon teas and signature dishes that include those that were created to mark royal occasions. Royal Warrant holders include a range of British produce, food and wine which grace the plates of the royal family and are available to visitors to sample dishes and enjoy food and wine experiences throughout the year. King Charles III is a supporter of biodiversity and sustainable food, visits producers and attends events to promote British and Northern Irish food. His Majesty was a patron of the Sustainable Food Trust, which works to protect nature and continue to improve the way we eat as a nation, and has spoken to support the slow food movement and British Food initiatives.
The Coronation Big Lunch is an official part of the Coronation Weekend on the 7 May 2023. Events and lunches will go ahead across the United Kingdom, bringing neighbours, communities and the nation together in celebration and friendship, and raising community spirits as part of this historic moment.
Royal Dishes
Platinum Pudding
A Lemon Swiss Roll and Amaretti trifle was crowned as the winner of the Platinum Pudding competition in 2022. Hailing from Jemma in Southport, the trifle is a celebratory treat and consists of a swiss roll with lemon curd and St Clement’s jelly, and amaretti biscuits paired with custard, mandarin coulis and chocolate bark to top it off. See the Platinum Pudding recipe shared on the Royal website.
Victoria Sponge
The Victoria Sponge was named after Queen Victoria, who regularly like a slice of sponge cake with her afternoon tea. Victoria Sponge is served up for royal occasions and often included for afternoon teas across Britain. Buckingham Palace Pastry Chefs have shared this traditional recipe.
Coronation Chicken
Created by Le Cordon Bleu Chef Rosemary Hume to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation lunch in 1953, it’s a quintessential British classic to add to any picnic, it can spice up a simple salad or work as a delicious sandwich filling. Celebrating international links it combines chicken with a hint of curry flavouring.
Royal Warrant Holder Experiences
A Royal Warrant holders permit a company to use the Royal Arms in connection with its business and is granted for up to five years at a time as a mark of recognition for the ongoing supply of goods to the Royal Household. Royal Warrant holders produce and distribute fine foods and also offer a variety of experiences for the visitor some of which we have highlighted below.
Sample Royal Warrant Holders delicacies include Sandringham Apple Juice who offer a pick your own experience and sell juices at the visitors centre. Products also include Twinings Tea which hosts tea masterclasses at the store in the Strand and Paxton and Whitfield that sell the finest cheeses and also run an Academy of Cheese course.
Berry Bros. & Rudd is at the vanguard of wine and spirits innovation not just selling bottles but also a venue for exciting events including food and wine pairing, spirit masterclasses, wine school, tutored tastings at their historic home in the heart of St James’s.
Partridges is a fine food, award-winning retailer which runs a Saturday Duke of York Square fine food market in London, an outdoor café alongside a growing export business. In addition they created ‘Startisans’ to encourage start up artisan food businesses.
Award-winning Valvona & Crolla is a food and wine specialist which has an Edinburgh delicatessen, café and Restaurant and offers artisan cheeses, charcuterie, coffee, wines, spirits, honey, fresh vegetables and all manner of Scottish and Continental produce.
Vineyards include Camel Valley planted in the heart of Cornwall producing English Sparkling wines by Winemaker son, Sam Lindo. Winner of 4 International Wine Challenge trophies, 'Best sparkling rosé in the world' at Bollecini Del Mundo and the 2017 Cornwall Sustainability Trophy. Visit this stunning vineyard with engaging guides and VIP visitors can arrange a private tour with the owners.
Wilkin & Sons Ltd produce the finest Tiptree preserves and also owns Cole's Puddings and Tiptree Patisserie. Tiptree tea rooms which visitors can enjoy throughout the year are in lovely settings including Southwold in Suffolk and in Essex the pretty village of Dedham and Heybridge Basin overlooking the estuary. The Tiptree Tea bus travels around and can be booked for private hire.
Fortnum and Mason is a prestigious store with a long-standing relationship with the Royals is an essential London destination for all in search of extraordinary Food Halls with limited-edition collections including biscuits, truffles, sparkling wine, honey and caviar. Fortnum’s hosts events and experiences including a Tearista tea blending experience in their bespoke tearoom, tastings, supper clubs and private dining. The store is an outlet for Tregothnan Tea which is homegrown in Cornwall with a range of teas including bespoke blends created as part of the GREAT campaign. The tea estate also offers tea masterclasses, bee keeping and photography workshops on their beautiful estate.
Food tours
Eat like a king or queen on food tours across Britain to enjoy the best of local produce, the welcome and hospitality of food producers, shops and suppliers. Tours include a Royal Windsor tour which takes in the castle, tearooms and shopping arcades and links to the Royal family. Windsor will see the main celebratory concert over the Coronation weekend and is a great place to visit at any time in 2023 to feel the buzz of the Royal celebrations which will extend beyond the Coronation. Enjoy Food tours with engaging locals including in London, Edinburgh, Belfast, Cardiff and Brighton.
Eat like a King or Queen at Castles and Hotels across the Realm
There is so much to offer the visitor looking to live and eat like a royal, including on Royal estates, and we have chosen just a few examples below.
Cardigan Castle, Ceredigion, Wales
The home of Edward I and Katherine of Aragon, and now a historical site open to visitors, many of whom come to enjoy its acclaimed restaurant Cegin 1176 (‘Kitchen 1176’ in English). In contrast to the castle’s appealingly ancient stone exterior, Cegin 1176 is a slick, modern eatery, with floor-to-ceiling glass panels that look out over the grounds. Vegetables, fruits and herbs served in the restaurant are grown in the castle garden.
The English Grill, Rubens at the Palace, London
Overlooking Buckingham Palace, this luxury five-star historic hotel has the welcome, comfort and splendour fitting of the royal setting. Opulently designed with a rich Royal theme of grandeur with polished silver, beautiful chandeliers and tailcoat waiters, visitors will enjoy a dining experience including the finest English produce.
The Wigmore, Langham Hotel, London
The five-star Langham, London has been delighting guests since opening as Europe’s first Grand Hotel in 1865. The Wigmore, a modern British tavern opened in summer 2017, has rapidly become a social hub located at the top of Regent Street. The former bank was the first pub to be designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, transforming it in to a ‘pub luxe’ with glamorous interiors. Offering a food menu overseen by Michel Roux Jr and drinks menu by the team behind Artesian.
Inverlochy Castle, Fort William, Scotland
The 19th-century castle in the Scottish Highlands once received high praise from Queen Victoria, who spent a week at Inverlochy in 1873 while on a trip to Balmoral and declared that “I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot”. Inside the hotel, there are three dining rooms, led by world-renowned chef Michel Roux Jr. Dining here is high end yet inclusive, with separate vegan and vegetarian menus, afternoon tea and a suitably mammoth whisky list featuring some mighty single malts.
Undercroft Café, Windsor Castle, Berkshire
Get close to the royals like never before at the royal residence still owned and used by the Royal Family. Windsor is the oldest occupied castle in the world and has hosted 40 monarchs since it was founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror. The Undercroft Café is one of the oldest surviving spaces of the 1000-year-old castle, and was originally used as a cellar to store beer and wine.
See links for more information on Royal attractions and the Coronation
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