"Most Expensive" Christmas Menu

[Snaquebite]

A rare-breed turkey wrapped in 50-carat gold leaf, a bottle of Champagne that predates World War I, and pearly white Beluga caviar are part of a meal described by organizers as "the most expensive Christmas dinner in the world."

For 125,000 pounds ($200,000), London chef Ben Spalding, currently head chef at John Salt, will prepare an at-home Christmas dinner for four made up of some of the "finest ingredients on earth."

Before tucking into their gilded meal, diners will enjoy an aperitif of 1907 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne – said to be worth 37,000 pounds ($59,000) per bottle – in diamond-studded flutes. A cocktail made from Diva Vodka (2,000 pounds/$3,200) will also be offered.

The four-course repast opens with bird’s nest and Almas caviar, prepared with a 150-year-old balsamic vinegar and Pata Negra Ibérico jamón. This will be accompanied by a 1949 Cheval Blanc St.-Émilion Grand Cru.

Next up is the world’s most expensive melon, the Yubari King from China, served with whole white Alba truffle poached in poulet de Bresse juice and Sargol saffron stock. A 1988 Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne is the matching wine.

But the showpiece of the meal is a rare Dodine turkey, with Wagyu beef fillet and heart, wrapped in 50-carat gold leaf, with Périgord truffles and Akbari pistachios – which alone cost 5,000 pounds ($8,000). It will be served with a 1959 La Tâche.

Whipped Kopi Luwak coffee beans – extracted from the feces of the Asian civet cat – and Amedei premium chocolate make up the dessert course. They will be accompanied by rare Densuke watermelon, a seedless fruit grown on the island of Hokkaido, Japan which produces only 10,000 melons a year. The wine? A 1976 Château d’Yquem.

Spalding will be donating 80 percent of his fee to the Cancer Research UK and Hospitality Action charities. The event is organized by VeryRirstTo.com, a service which offers luxury products and experiences to its members.

http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2012/...hristmas-feast

[BryanK]

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

A rare-breed turkey wrapped in 50-carat gold leaf...

When I saw this line, I was wondering why they would cover up such a beautiful label

[Roguish Lawyer]

50 carat?

[echoes]

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2012/...hristmas-feast
"They will be accompanied by rare Densuke watermelon, a seedless fruit grown on the island of Hokkaido, Japan..."

Well, my Grandma would roll over in her grave at this....but I get that its for charity, sort-of, and what Chef would not want to cook with such rare ingriedents, I guess.

Personally, would rather cook ten or twenty regualr birds, some creamy, buttery mashed potatoes, candied yams, and apple pie for my charity, and just donate my time. Maybe make the same amount of money, and have a bunch of happy folks?

And the watermelon from my grandpa's "patch," I would poney up against this one anyday! Just as rare, and grown with love.

Holly

[swatsurgeon]

Originally Posted by Roguish Lawyer

50 carat?

RL, thought the same thing....24 was the purest label i thought

[echoes]

Originally Posted by swatsurgeon

RL, thought the same thing....24 was the purest label i thought

As far as my research has led me yes, that is correct and my post following will provide support to the theory.

However, I will be contacting a Pastry Chef tomorrow to know for sure, but all indicators point to 24 being the karat...or in this case, carrot.

Holly

http://candy.about.com/od/candygloss...-Gold-Leaf.htm

Definition:

Edible gold leaf is a gold product that can be used to decorate food. In candy-making it can be used to cover whole candies like chocolates or truffles, or applied sparingly as a small decorative touch.

Is Gold Leaf Really Edible?

In most cases, yes. Gold is considered "biologically inert," meaning it passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed. When selecting gold leaf, make sure to get gold that is as pure as possible--this means 22-24 carats. Gold leaf with a smaller carat value has more impurities and is less safe to eat. If you are careful and buy gold leaf that is clearly labeled as "edible" and has 22-24 carats, eating gold leaf is harmless.

How is Gold Leaf Sold?

Gold leaf is typically sold either in sheets or as flakes. The flakes are easiest if you want to sprinkle the tops of candies with a gold glimmer, and they are also frequently used for adding floating gold flecks to alcoholic drinks. The sheets are more delicate and can be tricky to use, but they are best if you want to cover a larger surface area with gold.

[echoes]

Jus in case anyone is watching, my source, a Pastry Chef, was not available today.

But tomorrow, I will ask this question, as it seems this "Charity" being helped but this quote unquote, chef, needs some backgraound.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2012/...hristmas-feast

Upon consulting a Pastry Chef today, I learned that there is no such thing as 50 karat gold leaf, and that the proper term to use would be wrapped in gold, unless the intention is 50 sheets of 24 karat gold.

Upon further research, the link above no longer is valaid, but I did google it and found several other sites advertising the dinner. All of which had the gold leaf "valued" at £6,000, but no mention of the 50 karat.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...ldings-1485543

"The meal, for four, includes a rare breed of turkey with Wagyu beef fillet and heart, at a cost of £5,000.
The joint will be wrapped in £6,000 of edible gold leaf and sprinkled with £5,000 worth of Akbari Pistachios."


Maybe an english translation error?

Though for that price, hope the chef does the dishes for whomever is lucky enough to have him over?

(Have only one Chef in mind that I would shell out that kinda $$$ for, (if I had it), but he is very busy)...

Holly

[XngZeRubicon]

Originally Posted by echoes

Upon consulting a Pastry Chef today, I learned that there is no such thing as 50 karat gold leaf,
Holly

Kept wondering about that.