The official cookbook for the Platinum Jubilee
‘Give me a good chef and I’ll give you good treaties’
– Charles-Maurice de Tallyrand-Périgord to Napoleon.
Hilary Clinton once declared that food ‘is the oldest diplomatic tool’, and this sumptuous new book, published as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, proudly presents 70 mouth-watering recipes from British embassies around the world.
Each and every British embassy and high commission is there to represent the Queen and her interests across the globe, so what better way to celebrate this landmark occasion than bringing together recipes served during royal visits (including the Rendang Beef Wellington to mark the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s visit to Malaysia), those that champion Great British products or are unashamedly British (such as the Lemon Shortbread from the High Commission in Cyprus), or dishes served for ‘national days’ in the host countries (including the Blackened Toothfish from the Falkland Islands or Braised Zebu from Madagascar). All the recipes included are fit to grace the Queen’s table – and yours too.
Alongside the delectable recipes, stories abound of diplomacy in action. Gone are the days of the ambassador’s table piled high with Ferrero Rocher, but food is still central to the diplomatic cause, and Ameer Kotecha delves into the Foreign Office archives to reveal the highs and lows, the good and bad, and the highly entertaining.
100% of royalties from the sale of each book will go to a charity supported by the Prince of Wales.
