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Daily Morsel
Royal Wedding Celebration at the Queen's Cup
As the royal nuptials approach this Friday, I thought it only fitting to pop over to London to check on the merriment and consult with the royal family on their wedding day festivities. After a visit to Buckingham Palace this past weekend, I am pleased to report that the planning is right on schedule (pronounced [shed-youl]. . . The menu has been finalized, except that they are still deciding between a savory Cheese Cake from Paxton and Whitfield or a traditional fruit cake with fruit from the Royal Gardens soaked in brandy.
The fountains have been polished and the parks and gardens are primped and planted in preparation for the thousands that will gather to catch but a mere glimpse of the Royal couple. Platforms have been built to accommodate the press in front of the palace and Westminster Abbey. A tour of the Royal Mews (stabbles) proved them in tip top shape, the thoroughbreds calmly awaiting the procession, although Kate had still not been able to practice getting in and out of her carriage. Most of the British will host their own lawn celebrations at home or attend one of their favorite dining establishments for a special menu. Or, take
proper tea at Fortum & Mason in St James - the place for royalty to be seen.
For those of you Yanks whose invitations got lost in the post or don't want to celebrate the wedding by the "tele"on Friday morning, let me humbly suggest a post wedding Saturday celebration: invite your wittiest and most dapper friends, (especially those who are prone to dress for the occasion) to the Queen's Cup Steeplechase this Saturday, April 30 located in historic Mineral Springs . . .
What to Wear: Large brimmed and floral filled hats, seer-sucker shorts and suits, tails are fine and anything pink - yes, for men too. Your formal Scottish kilt will do, but please ignore the freeing tradition as it gets a little breezy as the horses race past.
What to Drink: Start the day off with prosecco and grapefruit juice or maybe a spicy Bloody Mary. Transition to mint juleps or a pimms cocktail and end the day with an Old Specked Hen. Bring a cooler of ice with lots of water.
What to Serve: Tea sandwiches, tea cakes, strawberries, English Cheeses with walnuts, dried fruits, cured Scottish salmon, open-face roast beef and ham sandwiches with horseradish and gerkins or maybe duck confit sammies with ploughman's mustard and arugula.
What to Bring: Sunscreen, card table and linen for your spread, bouquet of English roses or peonies in a silver vase, several blankets for prone lounging (Burberry plaid is nice) or fancy lawn chairs (you have appearances to keep up.) Don't forget the cricket set and badmitten racquets!
There are still general admission tickets available as well as a few spots left for the exclusive Elkridge Club: the large VIP tent where you can watch the races in style from the Hill with the best view on the course.
Enjoy an open bar and feast on Raspberry Lamb Salad with Rocket Lettuces, Wild Mushrooms Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette and Fox Hunt Wild Rice Salad . . . not to mention the formal cheese tasting and high tea served all day long. There will even be Fish and Chips for the commoners to go along with a pint (ours will be chilled). Bands appear throughout the day, Jack Russell Terriers begin at 10:45 and be on your toes for the hat and tailgate contest.
You may have been invited as a guest on Members' Hill or the Chase Tents where we will be serving Chef Blake Hartwick's New Castle Braised Beef Brisket with Blue Cheese & Bacon Slaw, Whole Poached Salmons Dressed to the Gill, Lamb Sliders with Curry Mayonnaise and Tudor Turkey BLTs with Myer Lemon Aioli. ...don't miss the petite decorated Wedding Cupcakes.
Regardless of your location at The Queen's Cup Steeplechase, this is a wonderful day of gentile festivities and the perfect way to celebrate the royal wedding weekend and feel rather royal yourself. The horses are absolutely majestic as they sprint around the grass course, jumping obstacles and water. The jockeys in their bright colors urge the thoroughbreds forward to win the purse . . . they are so close, you can feel their regal power.
Jill Marcus
Founder, Green Goddess Alliance
President, Something Classic Catering & Cafés
Community Café at Discovery Place
Halcyon, Flavors from the Earth
Feel free to email me directly at jill@somethingclassic.com
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