Right royal feast Former Buck House chef serves up party treats

A FORMER chef to the Queen provided the tasty buffet for the Town Hall’s Christmas party.
John Mavrides, from award-winning Fish Central restaurant in Finsbury, provided a mouth-watering display of international dishes, including Greek meze and Chinese and Indian delicacies, for guests at the party, held for the first time at the newly refurbished auditorium next door to the Town Hall.
The spacious but dimly lit auditorium has been completely refurbished at cost of £400,000.
Mr Mavrides recalled how when he worked at Buckingham Palace 15 years ago he discovered the Queen had simple culinary tastes. “Her favourite dish was roast lamb, with minted peas and potatoes, followed by Pavlova for dessert,” he added.
The chef once cooked for Royal Mail bosses, including chief executive Adam Crozier, at their headquarters in London. “Mr Crozier liked scrambled eggs and smoked salmon for breakfast but that had to go when they introduced staff cuts,” he said.
George Hussein, owner of the Central Street restaurant where Mr Mavrides works, won the EC1 Lifetime Achievement Award last year as well as the EC1 Local Business of the Year Award. He also owns the King’s Bakery.
PETER GRUNER