A Taste of the Past: Menus from Lavish Luncheons, Royal Weddings, Indulgent Dinners and History's Greatest Banquets - Hardcover

Lane, John

3.75

12 ratings by Goodreads

9780715318423: A Taste of the Past: Menus from Lavish Luncheons, Royal Weddings, Indulgent Dinners and History's Greatest Banquets

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 071531842X ISBN 13: 9780715318423

Publisher: David & Charles, 2004

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Here is a unique opportunity to visit the great figures of the past on often momentous occasions in history, as they flick open their napkins and reach for the menu at some of the grandest banquets ever conceived. A rich collection of menu cards from historical feasts forms the basis of this journey back to an age of excess, via wartime culinary quirks and unusual gourmet delights, where kings and princes dined in style and politicians and presidents entertained one another with the fashionable food of the time. A Taste of the Past offers: * A unique insight into the sumptuous spectacle accompanying banqueting since the eighteenth century * Beautifully illustrated with historic menu cards collected form real events * Fascinating background and sample recipes * A glimpse into the unguarded world of the great and the good The menus themselves are delightfully decorated, and beautifully made. There is great variety in this book, from royal weddings to dinner at the captain's table, all brought to life with background information and featured recipes for one or two dishes in each chapter that the reader can re-create. Having sampled the lifestyle of the great and the good, readers too can dine like the world leaders of the past!

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About the Author:

John Lane has been collecting menu cards since his father, a chef at Buckingham Palace, introduced him to the world of gourmet dining as a boy. Growing up surrounded by some of the greatest chefs in Europe, John's interest never abated and now he has a collection of hundreds of these delightful and valuable artifacts. John lives in Wokingham, Berkshire, England.

From Publishers Weekly:

Lane, the son of one of Buckingham Palace’s chefs, has been amassing a collection of menus since he was a boy. He presents dozens of the strikingly illustrated menu cards in this delightful volume, which also provides a bit of historical background, brief explanations of the guests in attendance and of the type of food served. History buffs and those interested in culinary studies will enjoy reading about the St. Patrick’s Day dinner President Eisenhower gave for President O’Kelly of Ireland in 1959, which included Roast Stuffed Long Island Duckling and French String Beans Almondine. The menu on board the Queen Mary’s maiden voyage to New York in 1936, Lane reveals, offered guests Clear Turtle Soup with Sherry and Chestnut Ice Cream Sundaes. And at the 1874 wedding celebration of Prince Alfred and the Grand Duchess Marie of Russia, well-wishers noshed on Boiled Salmon, Chicken Rissoles, Roast Venison and Spiced Fillets of Beef with Madeira Sauce. Lane’s comprehensive knowledge and copious illustrations—ranging from the menus themselves to illustrations of great hosts—make for a fascinating romp through American and British gastronomic history.
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