British banquet for G8 leaders

BRITAIN’S Queen Elizabeth II last night served G8 leaders, including self-acclaimed gourmet French President Jacques Chirac, with a British banquet.

In the wake of London's triumph over Paris to host the 2012 Olympics, President Chirac may be eating humble pie at the Gleneagles G8 summit, but he will be served up a menu by the Queen of Scottish smoked salmon and Glenearn lamb.

President Chirac is apparently no fan of British cuisine and reportedly told fellow political leaders at a Russian summit: "You can't trust people who cook as badly as that. After Finland, it's the country with the worst food."

If Finland cast its two votes for London's Olympic bid, he may now be eating his words.

Last night's banquet menu is in English for only the second time in royal history.

Usually royal menus are in French, but this was first changed when the Queen hosted a Buckingham Palace dinner for International Olympic Committee members earlier this year.

Although there will be some French wine served at tonight's dinner Chateau Climens, Barsac 1990 no after-dinner Cognac will be on offer.

The G8 leaders will sit down to a menu of Marrbury smoked salmon with roasted langoustines and herb salad, followed by a main course of roast fillet of Glenearn lamb with broad beans and peas, aubergine caviar and Parmesan polenta, and a sweet of Textures of Chocolate.

Wines being served are: Louis Roederer Quartet NV, Anderson Valley, California; Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese (JJ Prum) 1995; Masseto 1994 Ornellaia (Bolgheri); and Chateau Climens, Barsac 1990.

After dinner, guests will be offered Royal Vintage Port 1960, Iced Smirnoff Black Russian Vodka, Crown Royal Canadian Whisky, Makutsuru Sake, and Royal Lochnagar 12-year-old single Malt.