Many Notts pubs are holding Platinum Jubilee celebrations but only one really knows how to throw a party fit for a queen. The Cross Keys in Epperstone is hosting a royal dinner with dishes often served at Buckingham Palace when chef Des Sweeney worked there.
Des, who has run the village pub since 2015, was a chef in for the royal household for four years, and travelled with the family on visits to Balmoral, Sandringham and Windsor Castle. He has drawn inspiration for the five-course dinner, on Saturday June 4, from some of the favourite dishes of the Queen and other members of the royal family.
The feast will start with Oeufs Drumkilbo, the Queen Mother's favourite starter, crafted out of lobster, eggs, and diced tomatoes. It will be followed by Scottish salmon with asparagus and hollandaise sauce, a seasonal dish favoured by the Queen.
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Family favourite of roasted English lamb rump with dauphinoise potatoes, baby vegetables and rosemary jus will be served for the main. Next is Prince Philip's go-to dessert of Crepes Islandaise, or Icelandic pancakes, which is surprisingly simple.
The Prince loved the jam and cream pancakes so much at a banquet in Iceland that he asked for the recipe so his royal chefs could prepare the dish. The £65-a-head dinner, which includes prosecco and canapes on arrival, will finish with the raspberry tartlets that are often served at the Buckingham Palace garden parties.
Des will be speaking about his time at the palace and working for the royal family, followed by a Q&A session at the pub which has a string of accolades to its name. They include winning Best out of Town in the Nottinghamshire Food and Drink Awards in 2018.
He has previously told Nottinghamshire Live how different it was to working in a restaurant kitchen. Garlic was off the menu and spicy foods were a no no.
"You were working for a family with all their likes and dislikes. There were banquets catering for 200 visitors but at times it was cooking for two people. It was a great experience. I absolutely loved it. It was an honour and a privilege. There’s not many people who can say they have done it.”
The full weekend of celebrations starts on Friday June 3 with a full English breakfast buffet, from 10am to 12pm, an outdoor screening of Mamma Mia, and a BBQ on the decking. After Sunday dinner on June 5, the Epperstone Roses will be playing live music on the decking, with a BBQ and Pimm's bar.
