Patriotic & Peckish: How Crowning King Charles is Creating Foodie Fever
With this once-in-a-life-time, national event just around the corner, patriots across the nation are champing at the bit to celebrate the official Coronation of King Charles III.
Q - How is the UK consuming this cultural celebration?
Q - What's on offer for flavour-seeking patriots?
Charlie’s Charm
According to the most recent newsletter from Speciality Foods, 45% of the British public say that the upcoming coronation has made them feel more patriotic or, in other words, 'proud to be British'. Surprisingly, those aged 27-33 are feeling especially excited when it comes to 'made in Britain' products, with research indicating that younger Brits are also more attracted to novelty treats and hosting/attending Coronation-themed parties.
Unsurprisingly, the royal event has triggered a certain, quintessential nostalgia nationwide that has seen traditionally-British fare - including the expected abundance of edible union flags - explode across the market.
Pioneering Provenance
This sweeping tide of red, white & blue enthusiasm for British food is perhaps even more apt when it comes to King Charles. A sovereign ambassador in more ways than one, the previously-titled Prince of Wales is well-known for founding home-grown, organic food brand Duchy Originals in 1990. Since then, the company claims to have become the largest organic food and drink brand in the UK, earning a reported £3.6 million in 2021.
Today, Duchy Originals is partnered with Waitrose, with the premium supermarket serving as the brand's exclusive distributor. Waitrose itself predicted a spike in sales in the lead up to the Coronation back in September last year, realising King Charle's dedication to not only the environment but high-quality, British food, would likely double the appeal to patriotic shoppers.
Needless novelty or some nice relief?
Where does Nationalism cross the line between the witty and the ridiculous?
Highstreet outlets (both household names & independents) have made the most of the upcoming celebrations with a variety of patriotic produce - and even freebies. Greggs is offering free Sausage Rolls on the day, Bill's Restaurants are bestowing any nearby King Charles Spaniels with free dog treats and, considering the soft spot many Brits have for man's best friend, Waitrose have struck gold with their King's Coronation Jewel the Jack Russell Cake … especially as the format is so lovingly familiar. Albeit, controversial.
A true jewel in the Coronation crown, confectionery has gone quite literally nuts: Etsy is having a field day with bespoke cakes, and bakeries across the country are theming everything from empire biscuits to pork pies in a bid to scrape a little cream off the top of this national event.
All these regal treats, of course, are sure to take a starring role at street parties this weekend.
Authentic & Admired
What does patriotic eating look like when it isn't bold and brash, or peppered with royal headpieces?
In the hospitality sector, celebrations are more elegant. The Savoy offers a seat aboard English Wine producer Nyetimber's duck-egg blue, 1968 Routemaster Bus for a glass of bubbly and bites, while Cambridge's The Varsity Hotel (famous for fancy, rooftop dining) offers a Welsh starter, Scottish main and English dessert, topped off with a 'King Charles the Thirst' Coronation cocktail.
Travelling Tastebuds
Naturally, the time-locked aspect of limited-edition offers holds appeal among even casual patriots …
But what about the numerous royalists living abroad?
The King's crowning is predicted to bolster tourism in the UK - an industry currently worth £131billion - by an estimated £200 milion. Series such as 'The Crown' have boosted international appeal, with many fans choosing to pay up to 67% more on accommodation costs during this once-in-a-life-time event. Americans take the top-spot for foreign royalists hopping across the pond, with visitors from France leading continental Europe by booking 12% of London holiday lets over the Coronation period.
In fact, bookings for flights to the UK increased by 147% within 24hrs of the King’s Coronation being confirmed last October - good news for the travel industry. And with tourists celebrating the best of British just as enthusiastically as the nation itself, they're sure to tuck in to all the delicious, home-grown fare offered this week - once settled and while travelling.
In the same way premium Afternoon Tea platters this week are celebrating British produce - championing county cheeses, provenance pastries, quintessential tea-types and heritage fruit and vegetables - our Ploughman's ambient Snack Box offers a carefully-curated, farmhouse-inspired, flavour-nostalgic experience in-seat.
We've selected a truly mouth-watering selection of best of British brands to create the ultimate savoury snack box onboard: Jacob's Cream Crackers balance the sweet, tart hit of Branston Pickle, which is mellowed and perfectly partnered by two delicious, spreadable cheeses. The stars of the show, one offers a fragrant hint of herbs, the other serving a satisfyingly strong flavour perfectly cut through by crisp, pickled onions. Peter's Yard Sourdough Crackers offer another delicious option for bite-size crunch on-board easyJet, Jet2, Tui and Virgin flights …
… guaranteed to hit those heartwarming, patriotic pub-garden/street-party/picnic-in-the-park vibes, wherever you're flying to - or from.
Conclusion
Cynic or superfan, there's no denying the culinary creativity inspired by the Coronation is a force to be reckoned with - a breath of fresh air in the current climate.
Following the event, interest in British food is likely to simmer back to an appetite for authentic, high-quality, artisan fare, with trusty Brit-pop bunting tucked away for the next royal occasion …
If there’s street parties on the menu, we’re in.
