With the calls for a Platinum Pudding to celebrate The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this summer, let’s take a look back at a few other foods inspired by and named for royalty.
Coronation Chicken
This appropriately named chicken dish was created by chefs Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume at the Le Cordon Bleu School in London in time for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953. The recipe, which combines chicken with curry seasoning or other spices and a mayonnaise-based sauce, is mixed together and spread on sandwich bread.
Jubilee Chicken
Three versions of Jubilee Chicken exist: one for King George V’s Silver Jubilee in 1935, one for The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, and a third for The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
The original Jubilee Chicken largely shares the same recipe as Coronation Chicken. The Golden Jubilee Chicken recipe forgoes curry and mayonnaise for crème fraiche, parsley and lime for a fresh, light taste. The Diamond Jubilee Chicken recipe is an update from Coronation Chicken by chef Heston Blumenthal and has never been released to the public, only available in Diamond Jubilee hampers for celebrations.
Swedish Princess Cake
This classic Scandinavian layer cake is named in honour of the Swedish princesses who enjoyed the dessert: Princess Margaretha, Princess Märtha and Princess Astrid. Created in 1948 by Jenny Åkerström, a teacher of the children of Prince Carl, Duke of Västergötland, and featured in the Prinsessornas kokbok, Swedish Princess Cake is a layered sponge cake, raspberry jam, and a custard covered in green marzipan, powdered sugar, and pink marzipan rose.
Victoria Sponge Cake
This classic English teatime cake is named after the queen who enjoyed it: Queen Victoria. Consisting of two layers of sponge cake with jam or whipped cream spread in between and dusted with sugar, the treat became a favourite of hers after she decamped to Osborne House when Prince Albert died. A friend, Anne Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, is credited with creating the idea of tea time in the United Kingdom and introduced Queen Victoria to the sweet.
In 1874’s cookbook, Mrs. Beeton’s Cookery and Household Management, the recipe first appears as Victoria Sandwiches.
Battenberg Cake
This sponge cake, consisting of four separate sections of cake held together in a square formation with jam, was reportedly created in the United Kingdom to mark the wedding of one of Queen Victoria’s granddaughters.
Battenberg Cake may have been created to celebrate the wedding of Princess Victoria to Prince Louis of Battenberg in 1884, but the exact origins of the recipe are unclear. The four panels are alternating yellow and pink sponge cake, ‘glued together’ with jam and then covered entirely in marzipan.
Wilhelmina Peppermints
Wilhelmina Peppermints have been in production since 1892, named after the popular Dutch Queen and featuring her portrait on every single candy. The candy makers Fortuin created the peppermint as a way to mark their 50th anniversary while also celebrating Queen Wilhelmina’s 12th birthday.
Queen Wilhelmina received the first box of Wilhelmina Peppermints in the Netherlands and loved them so much that Fortuin later became an official court purveyor in 1896. Now the classic peppermint is sold around the world.
Kaiser Rolls
Kaiser Rolls originated in Austria in the 18th century and are said to be named in honour of Kaiser Franz Joseph of Austria, who ruled from 1848-1916. A traditional Kaiser roll features five segments with cuts in the top of the roll to resemble a crown once baked.
