Top chefs serve up a right royal feast
An Englishman, Irishman, Scotsman and Welshman cooked up a sumptuous banquet to celebrate the Queen's 80th birthday at Mansion House in the City of London last week (15 June).
Fourteen celebrity chefs battled it out on BBC TV for the privilege of devising the birthday menu, with contract caterer Searcy's working with the winners to translate their creations into banqueting dishes.
The winning Great British Menu featured a starter of smoked salmon with Irish soda bread, woodland sorrel and cress created by Richard Corrigan, representative for Northern Ireland.
Welshman Bryn Williams served a fish course of pan-fried turbot with cockles and oxtail, while Scottish chef Nick Nairn cooked loin of roe venison with rosti, celeriac, cabbage, carrot and game gravy for the main course.
Dessert was courtesy of Marcus Wareing, executive chef at Pétrus. Representing the North of England, Wareing presented the Queen and her 350 guests with a custard tart with Garibaldi biscuits.
Commenting on the event, Nairn said: "She seemed to enjoy it very much and said lots of nice things. It's been an honour to cook for her in her 80th birthday year."
Guests at the star-studded event included Tony Blair, Eric Clapton, Cliff Richard, Shirley Bassey and London Mayor Ken Livingstone.
By Emily Manson
