Duff Cooper's Diaries

[wellinghall]

3 January 1924

In the evening I had a dinner party at 90 Gower Street. Michael, Eddie, Fred and Rothesay came. I took trouble about it and it was a great success. We had caviare, turtle soup, homard newburg, perdrix aux choux, asparagus (which cost £1 a bundle), blackberry ice, mushrooms, sherry, Mumm 1911, light port, 1875 brandy. They all enjoyed it and praised the fare which certainly was damned good.

ETA: I'm posting this more widely because I thought other people might be interested in the menu!

Comments

[tree_and_leaf]

Drat it, now I'm hungry - though I don't really like caviare (and why did they eat the mushrooms after the ices?) Fascinating, though!

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

I can only presume it was some sort of savoury - an idea which I have read of, but hardly ever encountered.

[helflaed.livejournal.com]

I find old menus fascinating.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Me too - especially when they are as good as this!

[nineveh-uk.livejournal.com]

That sounds very, very tasty. I have a partridge in the freezer; I think it may have to be perdrix au chou on Saturday.

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

That has reminded me (in a way which my original post did not, curiously) that I had meant to order some game. I will go and do so forthwith.

[tree_and_leaf]

Mm, sounds good. We had pheasant in Hall last night - bit dry, but not bad. Must see if there are chantrelles in the Coverered Market, too, though I suppose it's getting a bit late.

*is greedy*

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

adaese had pheasant at her last Gaudy, in September, ie just before the season opened. From the texture, she thought it must have just died of old age.

[tree_and_leaf]

Oh dear... Well, it would explain why they were serving it out of season!

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

In fact, adaese reminds me that this was the day before the season opened!

[findabair.livejournal.com]

So out of curiosity, who is Duff Cooper?

[wellinghall.livejournal.com]

Alfred Duff Cooper, 1st Viscount Norwich GCMG DSO PC (22 February 1890-1 January 1954), known as Duff Cooper, was a British diplomat, Cabinet member, and author. He married Lady Diana Manners, youngest daughter of the 8th Duke of Rutland (whose grandson, the 10th Duke, was my and my father's employer).

Duff Cooper's political posts included:
- Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1934 - 35)
- Secretary of State for War (35 - 37)
- First Lord of the Admiralty (37 - 38)
- Minister of Information (40 - 41)
- Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (41 - 43)

He was then British Ambassador to France from 1944 - 48.

He was also a bon viveur, drunkard, womaniser and gambler!

[findabair.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

An amazing biography that man has! Sounds like a very interesting person :)