In celebration of the Coronation of His Majesty Charles III on May 6th, the Mandarin Oriental in Hyde Park, London is organizing a series of special events and stays and has just revealed its A Very Royal Occasion offer. A major highlight of the program is a special dinner menu conjured up by the 2-starred Michelin chef Heston Blumenthal served in the hotel’s restaurant, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, consisting of four dishes that were served at the coronation banquets of four of the country’s monarchs. 

The menu, dubbed Royal Cooking, starts off with a Coronation Chicken Tarte that was served for the coronation of King James II in 1685 followed by Veal Sweetbreads served for the Coronation of King George IV in 1821. Next comes the Royal Filet of Beef served for the Coronation of King Henry V in 1413 and a Fflampayne bagatelle for the coronation of his Majesty Charles III in 2023 and that was also served for the Coronation of King Henry V in 1413. The recipe revolves around strawberries, vanilla cream, lemon verbena and a strawberry sorbet. A recipe for the dish can be found in a collection of calfskin parchment scrolls called The Forme of Cury and written by the Master Cooks of King Richard II (1367 to 1399).The Royal Cooking menu is available until July 16th.

The celebrations continue at The Rosebery at the hotel for an Afternoon Tea created hand in hand with Highgrove House, the private residence of King Charles III and the Queen Consort., and the pastry chefs of the Mandarin Oriental. This Tea Time extraordinaire features The King’s Coronation Chicken (originally prepared for the Coronation of his mother Elizabeth II), the Clarence Court egg truffle sandwich, The King’s Cypher pastry, freshly prepared scones and a selection of sweets. Teas have been carefully chosen with English Breakfast and organic Earl Grey from the Highgrove House domain. The gardens of Highgrove House are managed organically and sustainably and have over the years become a haven for a rich variety of flora and fauna. You can also raise a toast to King Charles III in The Aubrey or Mandarin Bar where each bar has created three cocktails in a partnership with Laphroaig Whisky.

For the entire month of May the A Very Royal Occasion offer includes a stay in a suite, a special welcome and amenities for the occasion. The breakfast, dubbed King’s Caviar, is included with Oscietra caviar and a  full English breakfast and guests can watch from the dining room the parade of the Royal Horse Guards. Lunch or dinner in the Dinner by Heston Blumenthal restaurant including the four-course Royal Cooking is part of the offer. And to crown it all off, a gift basket from Highgrove containing a selection of teas and sweets and a bottle of Laphroaig, His Majesty’s favorite whisky, are offered to each guest.  ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette. https://www.mandarinoriental.com/en/london/hyde-park?src=loc.local_listing.molon.ggl