Eating with Emperors: 150 Years of Dining with Emperors, Kings, Queens . . . and the Occasional Maharajah

by Jake Smith

Based on original menu cards from the tables of kings, queens, emperors, empresses, presidents, and princes, this handbook explores the kitchens of the world’s leaders and examines how cooking for them has changed over the past 150 years. With anecdotes and recipes, this record, which is part cookbook and part history book, explores the relationship between food and diplomacy and features royals and heads of state such as Adolf Hitler, Napoléon Bonaparte, President George W. Bush, President John F. Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, Diana Princess of Wales, Rainier III of Monaco, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Recipes include Lobster Medallions in White Mushroom Sauce from the royal wedding menu of Crown Prince Rudolph of Austria-Hungary to Princess Stéphanie of Belgium, Quail with Cognac-Flamed Mushrooms from the hunting menu of Emperor Wilhelm II, Whole Stuffed Wild Boar’s Head from the Christmas menu of Queen Victoria of Great Britain, and Meringue Covered Brioche Soaked in Kirsch from the menu of King Albert I of Belgium for his guests the King and Queen of Denmark.

Genres: Food, History, Cookbooks, Food History, Food and Drink, Nonfiction

320 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 2010

Reviews

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, if you're the type of person who enjoys reading menus of food you'll never eat. I was especially interested with how common mayonnaise was on the 19th century royal table. I think I saw at least five different dishes, in at least three different countries, that sounded suspiciously like chicken salad.

[Saturday's Child · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy reading about historical events, Royalty or food then this is the book for you. It includes lots of photographs, interesting stories about some amazing banquets and recipes. From the Royal Wedding Breakfast for King George V to a White House luncheon President Barack Obama hosted for Prime Minister Gordon Brown this book keeps you turing its pages.