TORONTO, Ontario -- Sixteen delighted diners sampled the best of 19th-Century French haute cuisine Sunday in an eight-hour marathon feast costing $600 a plate.
The eight-hour dinner, in which each of the 16 participant consumed about 5,000 calories, duplicated the famous 'Meal of Three Emperors,' a repast served to royalty in 1867 at the Cafe Anglais in Paris that has become a culinary legend.
The $600-a-plate modern version was served at Glossops International Restaurant by new head chef Claude Pecquer and three assistants.
'It's a marvelous affair, with wonderful people, great repartee, fine wines and the food is exquisite,' said John Candy, star of the 'Second City' TV comedy series, as he took a 15-minute break after a serving of braised saddle of French mutton.
'People are saying this is the finest food they've ever had,' he said.
The menu featured 15 dishes, including a mousse of poultry consumme and cock's kidneys, pea soup flavored with sorrel and chervil, chicken souffle served with truffles, Dover sole, poached turbot, lamb, stuffed roast duckling, stuffed boneless quail in puff pastry and cold, sliced lobster.
There were also 10 desserts and a succession of fine wines, some costing more than $500 a bottle.
All the ingredients, including the coffee, were flown in.
Each portion was small but, even so, each diner consumed about 5,000 calories, said Angela Cameron, spokeswoman for TCD Group, which owns the restaurant.
That amount was normal for wealthy diners in the 19th Century, but about double the normal daily consumption of modern North Americans, Ms. Cameron said.
'The guests have absolutely loved it. They're saying $600 was cheap for this meal,' said Ms. Cameron. The event was non-profit affair for Glossops.
'It's a dream,' said Pecquer, of the attempt to recreate the meal served to the Russian Czar Alexander II and his son, and William I, future emperor of Prussia.
Pecquer, a chef for 20 years, came to Canada last year after working in some of France's top restaurants.
