Food For Thought

Napoleon – ‘Napoleon Bonaparte’ by Laurent Dabos. (1761-1835).

Advertisement for Courvoisier cognac – the brandy of Napoleon. French distilleries named their best cognac Napoleon as a symbol of prestige and quality. Still used today Napoleon Brandy is known as XO, extra old, and designates a blend in which the youngest brandy is stored for at least six years.

The Right Honourable Charles Grey , 2nd Earl Grey ( 13 March 1764 – 17 July 1845 ) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 22 November 1830 to 16 July 1834 . A member of the Whig Party , he backed significant reform of the British government and was among the primary architects of the Reform Act 1832 .

Cup of earl grey tea in cream china without milk and with pine nut topped cake in the background.
The 2nd Earl Grey famously gave his name to an aromatic blend of tea after he reputedly received a gift of tea flavoured with bergamot oil.

ANNA PAVLOVA as The Dying Swan from SWAN LAKE in 1931

Strawberry Pavlova.
The meringue-based dessert, Pavlova, is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. The dessert is believed to have been created in honour of the dancer either during or after one of her tours to Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s.

Dame Nellie Melba, GBE (19 May 1860 or 61 – 23 February 1931), born Helen Porter Mitchell, legendary Australian opera soprano and probably the most famous of all sopranos, was the first Australian to achieve international recognition in the form. One of the first entertainers to become a DBE in 1918.

Peach Melba was created by Auguste Escoffier at the Savoy Hotel in London for Dame Nellie Melba who was living there for a time.

Opera singer Dame Nellie Melba as Lakme, one of the many French roles in which she excelled.

Canapes of melba toast topped with crab and crossed chives
Melba Toast was created by Auguste Escoffier at the Savoy Hotel in London when Dame Nellie Melba had a bout of illness while she was living there.

M. Auguste Escoffier – creator of many signature dishes and the father of french cooking. For years M. Escoffier carried the fame of French cooking all over the world including England, the United States, Canada, Spain, Russia and Brazil – he personally served Napoleon III and once the ex-Kaiser was at a banquet which Escoffier had prepared. King Edward brought him to London and for many years he worked at the Savoy, the Ritz and the Carlton – photo shows the last picture of Auguste Escoffier at his villa at Monte Carlo, 12 February 1935

Sarah Bernhardt by Manuel Orazi (1898-1934)
Celebrity chef Auguste Escoffier of the Savoy Hotel created the dessert, fraises à la Sarah Bernhardt, in her honour which consists of strawberries with pineapple and Curaçao sorbet.

The 4th Earl of Sandwich 1718-1792

Toasted club sandwich with chicken, cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce on brown bread.
The sandwich is said to be named after 4th Earl of Sandwich after he frequently called for the easily handled food while entertaining friends.

Queen Victoria, 1887
Many foods are named after Queen Victoria who reigned for 63 years.

Green pottery bowl of freshly gathered Victoria plums

Queen Victoria in coronation dress 20 June 1837

Piece of Victoria sponge cake dusted with icing sugar and filled with strawberries and cream on plate with small blue and white spotted mug of black coffee.

Rita Hayworth, glamorous Columbia star and actress.
5 January 1947

MARGARITA – 1 third Grand Marnier – 1 third tequila – 1 third freshly squeezed lime juice Wet the rim of a cocktail glass with lime juice and dip into salt. Fill a tall shaker with ice. Add the lime juice, the Grand Marnier liqueur and the tequila. Add sugar to taste. Shake and pour into the glass. Garnish with a lime wedge.
Enrique Bastate Gutierrez claimed he invented the drink Margarita in Tijuana in the 1940s for Rita Hayworth. Hayworth’s real name was Margarita Cansino.

Portrait of the Duke of Wellington by Goya.

Beef Wellington
It is believed Beef Wellington was named after the Duke of Wellington, British hero of the Battle of Waterloo.

Suzanne Reichenberg (1853-1924), French actress, made her debut in 1868 in the role of Agnes at l’Ecole des femmes at the Comedie-Francaise. She was queen of the theatre ingenues from 1870 to 1900.

Crepes Suzette – Orange Liqueur Crepes.
The dessert Crepe Suzette was named in honour of the French actress Suzanne Reichenberg.

Arnold Bennett, English novelist – 1931

Mushroom Omelette (top) and Omelette Arnold Bennett which is an unfolded omelette with smoked haddock invented at the Savoy Hotel and named after the English novelist who wrote a novel called Imperial Palace in 1930, based on his research at the hotel.