Coronation quiche
Signature dish of the 2023 British coronation celebrations.
The coronation quiche was the signature dish for King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s coronation celebrations in May 2023, intended for a communal lunch during the festivities. The British royal family’s official website called it a “deep quiche with a crisp, light pastry case and delicate flavours of spinach, broad beans and fresh tarragon,” noting it could be served hot or cold. Royal chef Mark Flanagan created the dish, which was chosen because it is versatile, simple and inexpensive to make, and easy to adjust for different dietary needs.
The recipe serves six, with a pastry of flour, salt, butter, and milk, and a filling that also includes milk, double cream, eggs, tarragon, salt, pepper, cheddar, spinach, and broad or soya beans. Charles has previously shown a liking for egg dishes, especially scrambled eggs.
Reviewers generally found the quiche “surprisingly delicious,” with some tasters giving it an average score of 9/10. However, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg called it “disgusting.” Broad beans were out of season in April before the coronation, eggs were scarce in 2023 due to bird flu, and ingredients could cost £14 during the cost of living crisis. Still, supermarkets saw a big rise in sales of quiche and party food leading up to the event, and a £2.45 version was available.
Although Buckingham Palace named it a quiche, Évelyne Muller-Dervaux, the French grand master of the Brotherhood of the Quiche Lorraine, said she would call it a “savoury tart.” Laurent Miltgen-Delinchamp, another Brotherhood member, added that calling it a tart “would have anyway better reflected the British spirit.” *The Daily Telegraph* reported claims it should have been called a flan.
- field
- Culinary
- nationality
- British
- known_for
- Signature dish of the 2023 coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla
- creator
- Royal chef Mark Flanagan
Lore & Background
The coronation quiche was chosen by King Charles III and Queen Camilla as the centerpiece of their coronation celebrations in May 2023. The official royal website described it as a deep quiche with a crisp, light pastry case and delicate flavors of spinach, broad beans, and fresh tarragon, noting it could be eaten hot or cold. The dish was created by royal chef Mark Flanagan, who designed it to be cost-effective, easy to make, and adaptable for various dietary needs. The recipe serves six people and includes flour, salt, butter, milk, double cream, eggs, tarragon, cheddar, spinach, and broad or soya beans. King Charles had previously expressed a fondness for egg dishes, especially scrambled eggs.
Reader's Guide
The coronation quiche holds significance as a modern royal culinary tradition, following precedents like coronation chicken and jubilee chicken. Its selection reflected a desire for a communal, accessible dish that could be shared during the coronation celebrations. The quiche received generally positive reviews, with tasters scoring it an average of 9/10 and finding it 'surprisingly delicious.' However, Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg called the dish 'disgusting.' The choice also sparked a naming dispute: while Buckingham Palace called it a quiche, French culinary experts from the Brotherhood of the Quiche Lorraine argued it should be called a savoury tart or flan. Practical challenges included broad beans being out of season in April and egg shortages due to bird flu, yet supermarkets saw increased sales of quiche and party food before the coronation, and a £2.45 version was available. The dish thus became a symbol of both royal tradition and contemporary food culture.
Did You Know?
- The coronation quiche was chosen by King Charles III and Queen Camilla as the signature dish of their coronation celebrations in May 2023.
- The dish was devised by royal chef Mark Flanagan.
- Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg called the dish 'disgusting.'
- French culinary experts argued the dish should be called a savoury tart or flan rather than a quiche.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Coronation quiche?
It is the official signature dish prepared for the May 2023 coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, designed to be shared as a communal lunch among celebration guests.
Who created Coronation quiche?
The recipe was developed by Mark Flanagan, a royal chef, specifically for the 2023 coronation events.
What are the main flavours in Coronation quiche?
The filling combines delicate notes of spinach, broad beans, and fresh tarragon, all set within a crisp, light pastry shell.
Why was Coronation quiche chosen for the coronation?
It was selected because it is straightforward to prepare, budget-friendly, and easily modified to suit different dietary needs, making it practical for a very large gathering.
Can Coronation quiche be served cold?
Yes, the dish is designed to work well either hot straight from the oven or chilled, and a single batch feeds roughly six people.
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