Hospitality Enterprise Unique

Queen Elizabeth ll, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, has died – however she might be ceaselessly etched on the recollections of these fortunate sufficient to satisfy and serve her.

Peter Gordon had the privilege twice, and on every event his beloved grandmother Molly was entrance and centre.

“The primary time I met the Queen was again in 2008 once I cooked lunch for her, the Duke and private pals Sir Don McKinnon and Woman Clare at a personal residence in Mayfair.

“I cooked Scottish salmon two methods, adopted by Welsh Black beef with celeriac gratin, and for dessert I made shortbread with baked rhubarb and a chocolate ardour fruit delice.”

Why the shortbread?

“My paternal gran, Molly had obtained a QSM from the Queen for her charitable work so I figured if I used to be going to satisfy the Queen, I might higher have a little bit of grandma with me. On the finish of the meal the Queen and Prince Phillip descended the steps to have a chat. I could not assist considering what lovely pores and skin she had.”

Peter obtained one other likelihood to take a look at the Queen’s nice complexion the next yr when she offered him with an ONZM (the New Zealand equal of an OBE) at Windsor Fort, in recognition of his companies to the meals trade.

“Initially I used to be informed I might obtain the award from the Governor Common once I subsequent got here again to New Zealand – however since Gran had obtained her QSM from the Queen, I felt entitled to as effectively!”

Slightly negotiation and willpower went a good distance. In December 2009 Peter was awarded his ONZM by the Queen herself, following within the footsteps of Grandma Molly and including one other present from the monarchy to the Gordon household lineage.

“Every time my dad Bruce says ‘I feel they missed somebody’, I say ‘Dad, you simply need to attempt a bit tougher’!”

Clayton’s Queen’s go to

Antoine’s Tony Astle is one other wonderful Kiwi chef with a gentle spot for the much-loved monarch. Why? Effectively, hey virtually met her as soon as – an expertise he has dubbed ‘the Claytons Queen’s go to’.

“They booked the restaurant out effectively over a yr earlier than the Queen and Prince Philip got here to New Zealand in 1986. I needed to signal paperwork that swore me to secrecy – I did not even inform my spouse for the primary six months!

” A few months earlier than the go to we had police crawling everywhere in the roof of Antoine’s scoping out the safety. It did not take lengthy for individuals to determine one thing massive was taking place.

“The reserving was for 14 individuals. We polished every bit of silver and even repainted the partitions. It wasn’t till the get together arrived that we came upon the Queen wasn’t coming as a result of she had meals poisoning.

“We have been so disenchanted but it surely really ended up being a enjoyable night time. I might learn that Prince Philip did not eat strawberries, so once we served dessert (Antoine’s roulade with contemporary fruit) we dedicated the strawberries from his plate. Nevertheless, we quickly observed him pinching strawberries from different individuals’s plates. Once they’d completed he requested me ‘why did not I get any bloody strawberries?’, to which I replied ‘however you do not eat strawberries’. His response? ‘Do not imagine every part you learn in these ladies’s magazines!”