Pensacola, Florida, Just last week, Pensacola’s National Naval Aviation Museum hosted a luncheon fit for a king—literally—to welcome King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Spain, to the 450th anniversary celebration of Pensacola’s founding.

 
The meal was prepared by five of Pensacola’s most celebrated chefs; Irv Miller of Jackson’s Steakhouse, Jim Shirley of The Fish House, Gus Silivos of Skopelos on the Bay, Frank Taylor of Global Grill, and Dan Dunn of the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front. The offerings blended international flavors with traditional southern fare.

The menu was to have included:

Salad:
Baby iceberg lettuce with grilled, pickled shrimp, Sweet Home Farm asiago crisp, heirloom tomatoes and peppered bacon with a roasted Roma and garlic smoked vinaigrette.

Entrée:
Grilled Gulf Coast grouper with tasso, charred sweet corn and Pasilla chili pepper maque choux sauce, lump crab and cheese grits.

Dessert:
Chocolate fudge cheesecake with praline-Renfroe Pecan crust and Pedro Ximenez macerated fresh berries.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to cook for the King and Queen,” Chef Miller said. “The five Pensacola Celebrity Chefs collaborate extremely well, and combined, we offer a hundred years of experience to deliver this extraordinary meal for 500.”

The royal luncheon is a fund-raiser for Celebrate Pensacola, Inc., the non-profit organization managing Pensacola’s 450th anniversary celebration. Proceeds go toward funding future civic events, such as parades, art exhibits, concerts and the visit of the Elcano tall ship.

Luncheon guests were inside the museum by 12:30 p.m. for the royal family’s arrival 30 minutes later. Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Florida Senators Mel Martinez and Bill Nelson led the crowd in a champagne toast to celebrate Florida’s rich history and Spanish heritage.


SOURCE: Celebrate Pensacola