Prince William's Wedding Menu

Last month I got a really fun request from CNN.com to submit a menu that I, as a "multi-cultural" chef, would serve if I were responsible for Prince William's wedding menu.  Since menu -making is my favorite activity, I was thrilled at the chance to do this one.  Today the article came out, with just a few of my suggestions. Instead of publishing our entire menus with their explanations, the author focused on a few the different cultural elements that each of us (chefs) mentioned. My menu was different from the others because instead of focusing on my own culture and areas of specialty, I created a menu that highlighted the love story, social status, personal favorites, and political responsibility of the royal couple. Just writing it was a labor of love!   I believe that making menus - whether they're for a simple week night dinner or an important social occasion, gives us the opportunity to demonstrate our affection, nostalgia, values, and creativity. As a professional, it is often necessary for me to go out of my personal comfort zone to make sure that the menu suits my clients. The research, learning, and creating are all part of the process that I enjoy most.

Here's the menu I created for the royal couple and the thought process behind it:

My menu exudes the modern fairytale theme that is expected of the British royal family’s wedding. It is inspired by the personal favorite flavors and cuisines of both Prince William and Kate Middleton as well as British classics and seasonal produce. Personal favorites were chosen to make the occasion as significant as possible for the bride and groom. Prince William’s favorite dishes are said to be poached eggs, venison, fruit salad, pizza, pasta, and chocolate- all of which are featured prominently on the menu. Historically, royal families use festive occasions to set new culinary trends. For this reason, British classics were added as a way of promoting the country’s gastronomy.


Modern leaders are also expected to promote the health and well-being of their citizens as well as to improve the economy. Throughout the menu, local, seasonal produce emphasizes the modern social responsibility that leaders carry to encourage sustainable living.

Due to today’s lagging economy and difficult job market, many Brits would consider it offensive for Prince William’s wedding menu to be as luxurious as his parents’ was 30 years ago. For this reason, many of the recipes call for common ingredients. The symbolism found in each of the dishes and the precision that went into planning each course as well as a few luxurious touches, will be an inspiration to many. Since the couple got engaged in Kenya, various Kenyan elements can be found on the menu. Kate Middleton’s favorite places include Egypt and London. For this reason, Egyptian and English inspired dishes are also present. I created an edible favor known as Cleopatra’s Kisses which consists of marzipan stuffed walnuts that are said to have been fed to Marc Anthony and Caesar by Cleopatra. I took many liberties with a global theme because Prince William was a geography major. For the Bachelor’s Cake, I married one of his childhood favorites, banana flan with chocolate. Each course has been paired with wines that not only compliment with the flavor profile of the cuisine, but also have important vintages. Since international heads of state will be in attendance, a non-alcoholic drink is also offered for those who don’t partake.

Royal Wedding Dinner and Reception

April 29, 2011

Hors D’oeuvres:

Poached Quail Eggs over Asparagus Puree on British Country Olive Bread

Individual Fire Baked Four Cheese Pizzas (White Stilton, Cheddar, Cotswald & Cotherstone)

Mini Spinach & Spring Onion Frittata Hearts with Herbed Mascarpone Cream

Hand Crafted Venison Sausage Pot Stickers with Thai Peanut Dipping Sauce

Jersey Royal New Potato Rostis with Smoked Salmon, Crème Fraiche, and Caviar



Theale Vineyard Sparkling Chardonnay 2003

Passion Fruit Punch

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Appetizer:

Asparagus and Spinach Flan with Stilton Cream Sauce and Baby Rocket



Perli Vineyards Zinfandel Edmeades 2004

Sparkling Pomegranate Cider

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First:

Porcini and Truffle Filled Corzetti (Ravioli with Royal Coat of Arms Stamp) and White Lobster Cream Sauce



Cuvée Perle D'Ayala Millésimé Brut 2000

Saffron Sherbet

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Amuse:

Passion Fruit Sorbet

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Main:


Venison Medallions with Béarnaise Sauce

Royal Jersey Potato Truffle Croquettes

Braised Kenyan-Style Kale

Breads:

Fresh Rosemary Fougasse, Kenyan Cornmeal Hearts, Sourdough, Truffle Dusted Grissini, Love Knots, Cheese –Filled Nigella “Blessed” Seed Turnovers



Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti Superiore La Court 2006

Golden Dream Cocktail



Salad:

Rocket, Radish, Carrot, Nasturtium, and Asparagus Salad with Orange Blossom - Pepper Vinaigrette in English Farmhouse Cheddar Tulip Bowls



Rutherglen Estate Shiraz-Petite Sirah 2006

Egyptian Hibiscus Punch

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Cheese

Cheshire, Cotswold, Wensleydale, Stilton, Gloucester, Crackers, Fig and Quince Compotes, Smoked Almonds, and Dried Fruit

Vie di Romans Dessimis Pinot Grigio Isonzo del Friuli 2008

Lemon Mint Sherbet

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Fruit

Rose Water and Mint Infused Fruit Salad with Whipped Cream



Hessische Staatsweinguter Kloster Eberbach Rudesheimer Hinterhaus Rheingau Reisling 1921

Rose Spritzer

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Dessert

Dark Chocolate Mousse Filled Strawberries & Cream

Vanilla Buttermilk Heart Cakes with Passion Fruit Puree & Almond Buttercream

Champagne Perrier-Jouet Fleur de Champagne Rose 2002

Caffé Florian Rose Tea

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Dessert Bar

Chocolate Banana Flan Bachelor’s Cake

Persian Love Cake

Bite Size Traditional Apple Pies with White Stilton

Double Chocolate, Raspberry, and Cream Trifle

Chocolate Caramel Croque en Bouche

Seville Orange Marmalade & Ginger Tartlets

Amadei Chuao Single Plantation Chocolate Fountain with Fresh Fruit & Cake Skewers

Almond Stuffed Chocolate Covered Dates



Kenyan Confectioners’ Stand:

Made to order Sugar Dusted Mandazi Fritters with Kenyan AAA Coffee

Gelato Stand:

Dark Chocolate, Wild Cherry, and White Chocolate Gelato Trio with Espresso

Cookie Table:

Sesame Rings, Pine Nut Cookies, Molded Dark Chocolate Hearts with World Peace Dove Logo, Vanilla Macarons with Chocolate Ganache, Vanilla and Rose Water Madeleines, Petit Fours Secs, Date Filled Semolina Cookies, Cardamom Shortbread, Apricot Chocolate Chip, and Italian Chocolate Mocha Truffle Cookies

Lindt Truffle Hot Chocolate



Edible Favor: Cleopatra’s Kisses

As we say in Italian "Viva gli sposi!" "Long live the bride and groom!"