Cuisine Royale (2021)

The glorious Baroque castle, belonging to the sisters San Martino di Germano, lies in the picturesque Piedmont hillside, between Asti and Alba. For as long as anyone can remember, wine cultivation has always been the main enterprise in San Martino Alfieri. Still today, the steep slopes of the Alfieri estate are home to grapes of the highest quality. The Alfieri Castle offers copious room for the families of the three sisters – Emanuela, Antonella and Giovanna San Martino di San Germano. Until 1983, this was the home of their unmarried aunt, known locally as “La Tota” – the old maid – who still lends her nickname to one of the estate’s wines. After her morning ride, the house-keeper Isella Zanutto makes a discovery in the library: the dining sequence of a menu dating back to 1783, when the King came to visit the castle. When she tells the three sisters about her find, the decision is made to emulate the dining sequence, or at least a part of it. They shall invite illustrious guests from the European aristocracy to enjoy the feast with them.

The 90th Jubilee of King Michael I is being celebrated at the Romanian Royal Court. The preparations are underway in Elisabeta Palace for the extremely important gala dinner. To ensure that the evening runs smoothly royal chef Gaby rehearses with a test menu. A summerly gazpacho and a Mediterranean main course will win over the notable guests. And as the king is a chocolate lover, the dessert will be a very special treat.

What delicious aromas! Coriander, cinnamon, cloves and, of course, chilli. The young Maharajah of Jaipur loves traditional Indian cuisine. It is the first time he is organising the celebrations for the Holi festival and he wants to ensure it is a culinary success. What will be suitable for the exhilarating festival of Colours? And the traditional fire ceremony that takes place in the main courtyard of the fairy tale City Palace with its world famous peacock gates?

Cuisine Royale has been invited to Artstetten Castle by the ancestors of the Habsburg Royal Family in Austria. To celebrate her daughter’s birthday, Princess Anita Hohenberg is organising a dinner with the celebrity chef Johann Lafer. The fairy-tale castle was the residence of the Habsburg dynasty and is now the final resting place of Franz Ferdinand of Austria, whose murder in 1914 started the First World war.

Cuisine Royale gives a glimpse behind the scenes of the grand parties and dinners of the noble families of today. Baroness Alexandra von Schwerin and her husband Baron Carl Johan von Schwerin are holding a dinner at their home – Skarhult Castle in south Sweden. The baron is a passionate cook. Together with his wife he will be preparing all the food for the dinner party. On the menu is venison filet with red wine sauce and a pavlova with fresh summer berries.

When the days get shorter, and the mist still hangs over the meadows late in the morning, it is time for the hunting season to begin at Château du Lude. Le Lude is one of the most beautiful and interesting castles in the Loire Valley. It has played host to Royalty and many illustrious guests, even Louis XIII liked to come here to hunt. Built in the 10th century, as a fortress for 200 soldiers, Le Lude has undergone many reconstructions and owners until it came under the ownership of Count Louis Jean de Nicolaÿ’s family. In 2000, he officially took it over from his parents and began to modernise it with his wife Lady Barbara de Nicolaÿ. The Countess wanted to bring Le Lude to life, and make it into a castle that was open to people from the region as well as tourists. And she succeeded: Le Lude welcomes visitors every day, in the summer it hosts garden parties, jam-making days and the estate’s hunts have gained a grand reputation. For the opening of the hunting season, the Countess – an avid gardener – and her house-keeper, Sophie Esnault, have planned a multi-course dinner and a ‚hunting luncheon’. Alongside the Pot-au-Feu, roast duck and caramelised pears, a variety of vegetables will be served from the castle gardens. And for dessert mousse au chocolat will be presented in small porcelain dishes. These will be made by the Countess’ cousin, the well know porcelain-paintress Inès de Nicolay. But can she pull it off in just two days? Will they be ready in time for the dinner, and will the feast be enjoyed by all the guests?

St. Emmeram Castle lies in the Bavarian town of Regensburg. It is the largest inhabited Castle in Germany and home to one of the most established European nobles families: Thurn und Taxis. Here, Countess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis will be inviting high profile guests to celebrate the performance of opera legend Placido Domingo. The menu is put together and prepared by none other than the Michelin Starred chef Alfons Schuhbeck.

Cuisine Royale invites us to share the dining secrets of nobility. Count and Countess Ahlefeld-Laurvig live on the Danish island of Langeland in the oldest ‚dwelling’ o the kingdom: Tranekær Castle. It s June, and the couple have invited their closest friends and family to the castle to celebrate springtime. Not only the impressive banqueting halls and the individual guestrooms needs to prepared by the Countess herself but the 4 course menu plays a central role. Chef Christian Pichardt is in charge of the culinary delights with highlights like local lobster, grilled Turbot and deer fillets in a cherry wine reduction. In the build up the dinner the Count and Countess go about their activities on the grand estate – riding and hunting.

Riegersburg Castle is one of the largest castles in Austria and in the ownership of Prince Emanuel von und zu Liechtenstein. The Lichtenstein dynasty belongs to one of the oldest aristocratic houses in Europe. Dr. Prinz Emanuel von und zu Liechtenstein is part of the family that have settled in Austria. The only noble family that is not affected by the Law of Nobility Abolishment in Austria as it enjoys the nationality of its own Principality of Lichtenstein. With a select party of a few friends, Prince Emanuel and his wife Princess Sonja are celebrating their 8th wedding anniversary in the ‘white hall’ of the castle, and arte also has an exclusive invitation. The carefully put together menu will be realised by starred-chef Hans-Peter Fink.

Will the spirits in the haunted castle enjoy the roast pheasant with rowanberry jelly and chips? Sir Humphry Wakefield, the eccentric lord of Chillingham Castle has a weak spot for the paranormal. Yet the hunting menu is very down to earth – will the sprits let the noble guests eat in peace? Or will there be thunderbolts and a rattling of chains in the history rich medieval castle?

Over the Po Plain, near Parma, lies the “Castello di Scipione”. It is home to Count René, Countess Stefania von Holstein and their daughter Elisabeth. René is the ancestor of the Margrave Pallavicino, a family that only ruled the salt trade in Northern Italy but also an entire State from 985 until 1588. The Pallavicino’s have a special connection to the composer Giuseppe Verdi, who was strongly supported by the family and was born in a house that they owned. For a grand dinner chef Edoardo Craviani is making a “Pasticcio Pallavicino”, and a starter with wild asparagus, trout and Creme Bavaroise. Chef Edoarado likes to show off local ingredients in his culinary creations including one of the best hams in the world, Parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar.

The “Semana Santa” belongs to Marqués de Griñón and his family. During the Holy Week, simple meals are traditionally served but the Count has invited the cultural and social elite of Madrid for a Gala Dinner to El Rincon. Star chef Adolfo Muñoz from Toledo captivates the guests with his culinary creations that also showcase the estate’s olive oil – one of the best in the world.

Count and Countess d’Ursel have invited noble friends to a festive dinner to mark the international plant and flower show taking place on their estate. Ingredients from their historic garden will be the focus of the evening, in particular rose petals from the famous rose garden. Count Ghislain D’Ursel has hired Belgian top chef Claude Pohlig to devise a blooming menu that will do the fine ingredients justice.

The approaching wine harvest is the most beautiful time for Count Arno von Wimpffen and his wife Countess Katinka Kékessy-Wimpffen. For weeks the local Roma families harvest the grapes on the Kékessy vineyard in Tokaj, the estate has been in the Hungarian noble family for generations. They have invited friends and family to a festive dinner to celebrate the harvest. The meal is prepared by native chef Czaba Putnoki Nagy. Alongside the estate’s wine, local specialities are served at the dinner.