King Charles apparently dropped a hint for mushrooms on the menu when he visited France in September for a rescheduled State visit.
On the menu at Versailles the chef decided to serve a cep gratin for the rearranged banquet to represent seasonality – and because he had been informed of King Charles’s taste for mushrooms.
A dry French summer presented a challenge, as wet conditions help the mushroom grow in the wild.
“I asked God for a little bit of rain, and he answered me. I had fantastic ceps to cook with.”
The dish was served “à la française” on the single 60-metre “King’s table”.
There were 45 chefs who supported Chef Alléno to make the feast a banquet fit for a king.
