Right Royal Exposure

The Queen’s official 80th birthday was marked in suitably sumptuous fashion, with a 4-course lunch at Mansion House for more than 350 guests. The four British chefs charged with overseeing the dinner won the honour after competing on hit BBC reality TV show, Great British Menu. Te Mata Estate’s Woodthorpe Chardonnay 2004 was chosen to accompany two of the four courses: the starter of smoked salmon with blinis, woodland sorrel and wild cress, and the fish course of pan-fried turbot with cockles and oxtail. Guests sipping John Buck’s Hawke’s Bay wine included Prince Charles, Princes William and Harry, Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the Lord Mayor of London.