There was Coronation Chicken created in 1953 in honor of the Queen’s coronation, and the Victoria Sponge named after Queen Victoria who was said to regularly enjoy a slice with her afternoon tea. And now, a nationwide baking competition has been launched across the U.K. to find a "Platinum Pudding" for the Queen’s landmark jubilee.
“To mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee a nationwide baking competition sets out to find a brand new pudding dedicated to The Queen,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement today while outlining the latest plans for the milestone celebrations this year. Applications are invited from U.K. residents aged eight or over to enter a recipe, and five finalists will be chosen to prepare their pudding for a judging panel including Buckingham Palace Head Chef Mark Flanagan and famous baker Dame Mary Berry.
The competition is being launched by royal warrant holders Fortnum & Mason in collaboration with initiative The Big Jubilee Lunch, which is inviting people to enjoy food with friends and neighbors during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The winning recipe will be shared alongside baking tips ahead of the extended weekend of events in June. “With delicious food being at the heart of these historic celebrations, we’re hoping the star of all street parties this year will be the winning Platinum Pudding,” Fortnum’s said in a statement today.
"I'm so thrilled to be Panel Chair for this exciting competition to make the perfect pudding for The Queen, and to work alongside such a wonderful team of judges. I hope everyone who enters has lots of fun and I wish them the very best of luck,” Mary Berry said.
The Queen marks 70 years on the throne on February 6, but the main celebrations have been planned for an extended weekend in June. Many of the events have public participation in mind, and the weekend has previously been billed by organizers as “reopening ceremony” for the UK following years of COVID restrictions.
The four-day weekend for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee begins on Thursday, June 2, 2022, and so far the program has been revealed as follows:
Thursday June 2nd
The Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour): More than 1,400 soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians will take part in a traditional parade to mark the Queen's official birthday. This is usually held on a Saturday in June, but has been moved to a Thursday in the Platinum Jubilee year. It will culminate with the royal family watching an RAF flyover from the Buckingham Palace balcony.
Platinum Jubilee Beacons: Beacons will be lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, UK Overseas Territories, and in the capital cities of the Commonwealth countries.
Friday June 3rd
Service of Thanksgiving: A Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Saturday June 4th
The Derby at Epsom Downs: The Queen and members of the royal family will attend the Derby at Epsom Downs racecourse.
Platinum Party at the Palace: The BBC will stage and broadcast a live concert from Buckingham Palace. The royal household said it will “bring together some of the world’s biggest entertainment stars to celebrate the most significant and joyous moments from The Queen’s seven decade reign.”
Sunday June 5th
The Big Jubilee Lunch: People are invited to get together with friends and neighbors for food and drink.
The Platinum Jubilee Pageant: A pageant featuring more than 5,000 people from across the UK and the Commonwealth will take place against the backdrop of Buckingham Palace and the surrounding streets. It is expected to combine street arts, theatre, music, circus, carnival and costume. Some 200 silk flags designed by children will be processed down the Mall which organizers are describing as a ‘River of Hope.’
For more information regarding the baking competition, please visit fortnumandmason.com/platinum-pudding.
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.
