The Unknown Champions of Wimbledon Are Food Service Staff and Culinary Suppliers

The Games have begun, yet many of the half-million devoted tennis fans who will watch Nadal, Federer and Djokovic on home televisions and office Internet connections are unaware of the massive food service that supports this famous 14 day tournament of strength and skill.

Just consider the most recently released figures which reveal just how hard the 1,700 member FMC Catering staff at Wimbledon will be working for those 14 exciting days of play: 

To Be Served 

• 130,000 Lunches Served
• 40,000 Char-Grilled Meals Served
• 30,000 Fish and Chips Served
• 30,000 Meals for FMC's Own Staff
• 12,000 Kilos (26,455 Pounds) Poached and Smoked Salmon
• 17,000 Bottles of Champagne Lanson
• 150,000 Pimm’s Cocktails
• 100,000 Pints of Beer and Lager
• 300,000 Cups of Tea and Coffee
• 250,000 Bottles of Water
• 190,000 Sandwiches
• 150,000 Bath Buns, Scones, Pasties and Doughnuts
• 135,000 Ice Creams
• 60,000 Sausages
• 30,000 Liters (31,700 Quarts) of Milk
• 23,000 Bananas
• 22,000 Slices of Pizza
• 20,000 Frozen Yoghurt Cups

As you might have noticed, the above list does not include Wimbledon’s famed “Strawberries and Cream” which are a must when attending the Games. Well, they are in a food class all by themselves where tradition meets logistics.

On average Game spectators will consume 28,000 kilos (61,730 pounds) of English strawberries - 2,000 kilos (4,409 pounds) and 7,000 liters (7,397 quarts) of fresh cream every day of play.

When added up, that’s a total of 28,000 kilos (61,726 pounds) of strawberries and 98,000 liters (103,558 quarts) of cream prepared and served in just in 14 days! WOW! 

And these aren't just any generic strawberries. They're Grade 1 English strawberries from Britain’s finest strawberry producing farms such as the Hugh Lowe Family Farms.  Suppliers are working extra hard this year to meet the tournament’s demand as heavy rains and overly long cloudy skies have delayed the usual ripening season.

But with a courageous spirit equal to that of any tournament player, England’s berry growers are working hard to make their 5:30 A.M. delivery date each and every day.

The very same words used in the newest Wimbledon ad should also be used to describe the hard working catering staff and culinary suppliers to the Tournament – Super Human, Tough as Nails, True Champions All!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2012 

Post Note, May 26, 2012: You know you're a star when you're profiled on 60 Miuntues, America's in-depth Sunday News program faithfully watched by millions. This past Sunday Novak Djokovic was so honored.

The resulting story highlights how Djokovic's skill and courage led him from battle torn streets of Belgrade to the emerald green grass of Wimbledon. Impressive and touching. Thank you 60 Minutes!

New York Health Department Plays Grinch to Algonquin Hotel Beloved Cat

‘Tis the holiday season, a time for fun and good cheer when all are friends and kindness fills the air.

Or should be…

In what can only be called a ‘cat-astrophe’, the New York City Health Department apparently forgot to refer to their calendar when they recently banned the Algonquin's ‘direcfurr of guest relations’, the beautiful kitty Matilda III from many sections of this historic hotel.

Now certainly the Health Department has a valuable job to do but perhaps this is an overreaction to a tradition that since the 1930s has harmed no one.

Matilda, the Algonquin's famed cat, is part of a proud line of feline greeters who have been delighting guests since the first kitty was welcomed, cold and hungry, out of a stormy night by the hotel's compassionate owner Frank Case.

Honored by no less than the actor John Barrymore with the names “Hamlet” or “Matilda”, depending on their sex, the current kitty can now only grace the registration area – and only while on a leash.

All these restrictions are thanks to the NYC Health Department’s grumpy ‘grinch-y’ attitude during a season of supposed cheer and good well.

Surely the ghosts of such legendary literarties as Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Mark Conley, Edna Ferber and George F. Kaufman, all members of the Hotel’s famed Round Table, would object to such an injustice against a noble kitty who is dedicated to the very spirit of a warm welcome and a gentle purr. 

One can hope that amidst all the glorious sparkle and glitter that typifies New York City during the winter holidays, the New York City's Health Department will perhaps review their decision and adopt a more objective perspective that honors both the values of the Season and the traditions of welcome that are the hallmark of our Industry all year round.

Post Note, November 28, 2011 - If you're interested in learning more about the Round Table of Literary Greats that gathered during the 1920's at the Algonquin Hotel, be sure to check out the film, Mrs. Parker and Her Vicious Circle. 

The hotel's insightful owner Frank Case often sent complimentary popover rolls and celery to their corner table as those gathered there tended to talk first, drink second (whiskey sours were a favorite) and eat last - a combination that anyone in the Industry knows is not the best for any guest no matter their talent or the season. 

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

London Olympic Games Go Best with Broker's Gin

In less than a year, the 30^th Summer Olympic Games will open in London. As the pomp and ceremony begins on July 27, 2012 with the Parade of Nations and the Opening Ceremony, London will no doubt be compared to the last Olympiad held in China in 2008.

No one present there or watching worldwide can ever forget the stunning opening ceremony staged by Zhag Yimou, director of such legendary films as Hero and Curse of the Golden Flower.

Following the theme of “One World One Dream”, Zhag Yimou created a visual tableau that truly left millions of viewers breathless at the sweep of history and the display of beauty presented.

Yet have no fear because London is planning quite a show as well. Danny Boyle has been chosen as the artistic director for London’s opening ceremony. As the Academy Award winning director of Slumdog Millionaire, one can be assured of his sensitivity to an inclusive world view.

Because traditionally the heritage of the host country is highlighted at each Olympic Game’s first gathering, Boyle can draw on centuries of English history.  One can only wonder if the Arthurian knights, Lord Nelson or the Tower’s venerated guards will appear in his event design.

But one image sure to appear will be the famed English bowler hat. First crafted in 1849 by the London hat makers Thomas and William Bowler (yes, that’s where the name originated) as a stiff protective hat for country gamekeepers, it was soon adopted by Londoners as a symbol for the composed style that has made London’s financiers (are you listening America?) famous around the world.

And now if hotel guests want some of that flare but aren’t necessarily hat wearers, they can celebrate with a new gin that is getting very popular as excitement over London's Games increases: Broker's Gin.

Distilled in small handmade batches, each bottle of this dry English gin is crafted in a 200 year old Birmingham distillery from an equally old recipe.

In order to follow this classic recipe, ingredients are sourced from around the world including juniper berries (but of course) from Bulgaria and Macedonia, orris roots from Italy, nutmeg from India, cassia bark from China, liquorice from Sri Lanka, coriander seeds from Bulgaria, orange and lemon peels from Spain and angelica root from Belgium and France.

Truly this is a beverage whose ingredients are almost as international as the Olympics and yet it’s the perfect gin to capture all the fun and excitement of the upcoming London Games. It’s so perfect the bottle is topped with an English bowler hat and you just can’t get any more English than that.

So enjoy the fun to come (Broker’s recipe for The Londoner Cocktail is listed below) and let us all hope that as the date for the game comes up, we find a world at peace and in harmony - at least for a few days. Cheers!  

The Londoner Cocktail 

• 2 oz Broker's Gin
• 1 oz Pink Grapefruit Juice
• ½ oz Crème de Mure
• 2  Lime Wedges

 Squeeze the lime wedges into a shaker and add the other ingredients. Fill the shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously until the shaker is freezing. Strain into a chilled martini glass.

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011

Let’s Raise a Cocktail Glass to Toast Kate and William's Royal Wedding

Members of the hospitality industry around the world will pause tomorrow and raise a glass to wish Prince William and his beautiful English rose princess, Kate Middleton all the very best. But why not do it with one of two cocktails whose ingredients uniquely honor this remarkable couple.

The English Rose Cocktail was specially created by Anthony Caporale, the first U.S. brand ambassador for Drambuie, to commemorate England’s newest member of the royal family.

Drambuie is, of course, an excellent choice because it was originally blended for Prince Charles Edward Stuart of Scotland over 260 years ago from a unique combination of aged Scottish whiskies, heather honey, herbs and spices. Indeed, its name when translated means “the drink that satisfies”.

What better invitation can there be for a great cocktail?

The English Rose Cocktail

In a Champagne flute, add:

•       1 Sugar Cube
•       3 Drops Orange Bitters
•       1 oz. Drambuie

Slowly top with:

•       4 oz. Chilled Champagne
•       Splash of Campari
•       3 Drops Rosewater

Garnish with a thinly-sliced strawberry, fanned and floated on the top.

But the fun shouldn’t stop there. Charlotte Voisy, the famed female mixologist for William Grant & Sons USA, has also created a new cocktail that captures the love of London for their newest princess – The Rosie Lee, which is a cockney term for “tea” but this time with a bounce. Thanks to the addition of Hendrick Gin, this cocktail also has a delightful floral flavor, making it perfect for any wedding.

The Rosie Lee Cocktail

Combine and shake together:

• 1 ½ oz. Hendrick’s Gin
• ½ oz. Monin Rose Syrup
• 1 oz. Lychee Fruit Juice
• ½ oz. Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
• 1 Brief Dash Angostura Bitters
• Lemon, Cut Paper Thin

Strain into an English bone china teacup or elegant cocktail glass.

Then garnish with a very thin lemon slice.

Either way, both are great – just like these two young people to whom we wish the very best – now and always!

Your Culinary World copyright Ana Kinkaid/Peter Schlagel 2011