A Sumptuous Dinner

An Account of a “Sumptuous Entertainment (with Bill of Fare)

Reprinted from The Edinburgh Annual Register (1811) at page 12-13 under the head of Jan. 14.

CHESTER.—Tuesday se’nnight, the chief magistrate (General Grosvenor) gave a most sumptuous entertainment in the Exchange, to his cousin Earl Grosvenor, several gentlemen of the county, the corporation, and his friends in the city. The Town Hall was most tastefully decorated with variegated lamps. The tables were laid out in the following manner: Two long ones down each side of the room, joined at the top in a semi-circular form, and in the intermediate area, small tables were laid across; in the centre was placed a fine baron of beef, ornamented with appropriate devices, encircled by the motto—“O! the Roast Beef of old England, O! the Old English Roast Beef!” On its right was a Christmas pie, weighing upwards of 200 lb., containing four geese, four turkies, six hares, a leg of veal, a leg of pork sausages, &c.; on its sides were the heraldic bearings of the house of Eaton, supported by those of the general, with the family motto; on the left of the baron of beef was a salad, tastefully displayed, with the motto—“Prosperity to the Trade of Chester.” This table was surmounted with two elegant transparencies, representing the east and north gates of the city. About five o’clock dinner was served up, to which above 200 sat down. The following is a copy of the bill of fare:--

BILL OF FARE.—Sixteen tureens of turtle; 8 boiled turkies; 3 hams; 4 dishes of a-la-mode beef; 5 pigeon pies; 3 saddles of mutton; 13 plum-puddings; 6 dishes of murandade pork; 8 French pies; 4 roasted turkies; 8 dishes of rabbits; 3 legs of mutton; 4 geese; 2 fillets of veal; 10 dishes of chickens; 4 dishes of veal surprise; 3 beef-stake pies; 3 dishes of sweet-breads; 6 hares; 6 venison pasties; 8 dishes of ducks; 6 oyster patties; 6 dishes of mutton casserole; 6 dishes of pig; 6 lemon puddings; 8 dishes of haricoed mutton; 4 neats tongues; 3 dishes of collared veal; a round of beef.

Removes—Ten haunches of venison; 10 necks of venison.

Sweets—Thirty salvers of whips and jelly, 20 moulds of jelly, 40 moulds of blancmange, tarts, cheese-cakes, mince-pies, puffs, &c &c.