WHITE PALACE INTERNATIONAL CUISINE EVENING

Belgrade, 12 February 2008 – Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine hosted the traditional evening of international cuisine tonight at the White Palace.

Ambassadors and representatives of more than twenty embassies and international missions in Belgrade came at the invitation of Their Royal Highnesses to represent the gastronomic tradition of their countries with typical national dishes and beverages.

Guests were welcomed by HRH Crown Prince Alexander II, who stressed that it is always nice to see such a colourful banquet table at the White Palace, and that this event brings us together because it gives us a chance to get to know each other’s culture better, by gathering and tasting dishes and beverages of various countries.

In the official part of the programme, Filip Orlic, a pupil of the Jovan Bandur Music School, played Chopin’s Polonaise, while the Lola folklore ensemble presented to the guests a series of dances from Serbia.

The dining table of the White Palace was enriched this evening with so many wonderful, tasteful and colourful dishes from all over the world. Here are just a few. The Americans were represented by the always popular American pie. Belgium presented the traditional Chocolate Mousse made from the finest Belgian chocolate. Brazil opted for local sweets, as did Cyprus with Lady Fingers. Greece was represented by Tyro Pita. Guinea made the Riz Gras. Hungary presented cold meat and wine. The Embassy of Iraq prepared the Dolma and Rice Kubbeh, and local sweets with dates. Ireland brought Irish figs. Italy was this time not represented by its traditional pasta, but by Chardonnay wine. Malta spiced it up with its finest olive oil. Mexico really got the atmosphere going with tequila and the Yucatan-styled Chiote Chicken. Morocco brought Cous-Cous. Myanmar came with cake made of glutinous rice also known as Kao-hnyin cake. Pakistan brought chicken and rice. Spain was represented by the Empanada Gallega and Tortillas, while Sri Lanka represented itself with a meal made from Ceylon rice. Turkey brought Sarma and Burek. Ukraine brought Vareniki, Ukranian-styled fish and champagne. The European Union in Serbia brought a Spanish meal – Paella.

Apart from ambassadors and representatives of embassies, international missions in Belgrade also took part in this event – the European Agency for Reconstruction, the European Commission, the United Nations, and the World Bank.