Blumenthal reveals his crowning glory for royal picnic

The restaurateur has joined forces with royal chef Mark Flanagan to produce a menu of treats for 12,000 guests who will dine in Buckingham Palace’s garden this summer.

Blumenthal is famous for his scientific approach to cooking, that has led him to develop signature dishes like snail porridge.

But he has reined in some of his extravagant ideas to develop a hamper of seasonal British produce that includes chilled British country garden soup, tea smoked Scottish Salmon, Diamond Jubilee Chicken and Sandringham strawberry crumble crunch for pudding.

Blumenthal, who launched the hamper at the Palace with the royal chef, said: “The dishes were chosen for several reasons.

“There’s a practical side, they had to be served to 10 to 15,000 people, so they had to be cold.

“We also wanted dishes that are tied into the last 60 years – iconic British dishes – so that includes Coronation Chicken.”

The famous dish of Coronation Chicken – created to celebrate the Queen’s coronation in 1953 – has been updated and features an aromatic blend of spices.

The diners will enjoy the hampers in the Palace’s gardens before watching a Diamond Jubilee concert opposite the Queen’s official London home on Monday June 4.

Stevie Wonder, Sir Paul McCartney, JLS, Sir Elton John and Kylie Minogue are among the artists performing on the night.