TOP BRITISH chef Heston Blumenthal unveiled his latest culinary creations on Wednesday (April 18) for a special picnic at Buckingham Palace to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s diamond jubilee.
The Michelin three-starred chef, who is known for his scientific approach to cuisine, has worked with royal chef Mark Flanagan to produce the menu for 12,000 visitors who will eat out in the palace garden on June 4.
Britainis marking Queen Elizabeth’s 60th year on the throne with a four-day long weekend in June.
Blumenthal’s menu draws on dishes from the 85-year-old’s reign, with influences dating back to 1952.
Naturally, coronation chicken, created to celebrate the coronation in 1953, is at the heart of it.
“The dishes were chosen for several reasons,” said Blumenthal.
“There’s a practical side: they had to be served to 10,000 to 15,000 people, so they had to be cold.
“We also wanted dishes that are tied into the last 60 years – iconic British dishes – so that includes coronation chicken.”
The famous staple has been updated and features an aromatic blend of spices that Blumenthal spent two months developing.
His hamper of seasonal British produce includes chilled British country garden soup, tea-smoked Scottish salmon, the diamond jubilee chicken and Sandringham strawberry crumble crunch for pudding.
“The garden soup is chilled plum tomato soup, there’s a cucumber in there and it’s finished off with garden mint oil, that’s a British twist, and finished off with a touch of vinegar,” the 45-year-old said.
“And what the vinegar does it makes it really mouth watery – whenever we talk about your mouth watering, you need to generate saliva.”
The vegeterian option is mushroom parfait.
Side dishes include celery, carrots and red peppers, lemon and caraway Madeira cake, and chocolate indulgence cake.
The cheeseboard is served with chutney and oaten biscuits, with the menu washed down with Moet & Chandon champagne and Cobra beer.
There is a public ballot for picnic places.
The hampers come with a plastic poncho, in case of a traditional British summer downpour.
