NATO leaders dined on lobster gazpacho while the Kyiv Symphony played

NATO leaders dined on lobster gazpacho while the Kyiv Symphony played

News

norman lebrecht

June 30, 2022

No matter what’s going on in the world, politicians always treat themselves well.

We hear that the centrepiece of yesterday’s NATO summit ‘working lunch’ at the Prado in Madrid was a giant lobster gazpacho.

For entertainment, they flew in the Kiev Symphony Orchestra to play soothing music.

 

Comments

  • V.Lind says:

    By “giant,” do you mean a huge tureen sufficient to offer all in attendance a bowl of soup?

    I admit the lobster is an indulgent touch, and I actually prefer my gazpacho made the traditional way, with vegetables only. But people do tend to put on the dog for guests, and this was a summit.

    It was in fact a working lunch, and giving the Kiev Symphony work and doubtless affection as well as showing a flag for their cause strikes me as a kind move.

    I don’t understand the negative report.

  • Ya what says:

    How awful. I’m no supporter of the horrific invasion, but someone somewhere and some organisation is profiting handsomely from all that’s going on.

    • Peter says:

      There are always profits to be made. I note a 3 week summer tour, including Proms and Edinburgh, by the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. According to press releases it is heavily sponsored. Organised pro bono?

      • Patrick says:

        And the musicians being paid a pittance, dormitory style accommodation and coaches! Somebody is making a mint…as usual.

        • Elliot says:

          Do you honestly mean that Trump got his dirty little paws into the charity? There is no end to that grifter!

  • Minnesota says:

    Uh, there was quite a lot more going on at the Madrid NATO meeting (integrating Finland & Sweden, coordinating efforts in Ukraine, strengthening deterrent forces in Eastern Europe, closer defense relationships with Japan & South Korea, etc., etc.) than having lobster gazpacho, which is a common dish in Madrid.

    The cuisine’s theme was Ukrainian food. The NATO meal was presented by Jose Andres and prepared by three leading Spanish chefs. Andres is a renowned Spanish-American chef and humanitarian and whose World Central Kitchen serves much-needed hot meals in areas suffering from natural disasters and wars around the world. WCK have served 60 million meals to Ukrainians and have been targeted by Russian attacks.

    So yes, some lobster in the soup in Madrid.

    • Don Ciccio says:

      Have you gone to any Andres restaurants and see the prices that this ‘humanitarian’ is charging?

      • Rodrigo says:

        Chef Jose Andres has earned his stripes. He walks the walk.

        If rich people want to sample his humanitarianism at prices well within their budgets, let them do so. Much of his work depends on their donations & they can certainly afford those prices.

    • Pianofortissimo says:

      They should be served black bread and garlic. That’s authentic Ukrainian food.

  • Branimir says:

    Entertaining NATO bosses during dinner would be too much humiliation for the Ukrainian musicians. Their short concert was rather an appetiser prior to the dinner itself, according to all news reports available. This one is actually even listing the short program: https://cvvnews.com/the-kyiv-symphony-and-chef-jose-andres-the-surprises-of-the-nato-dinner-at-el-prado/

  • soavemusica says:

    NATO declared Ukraine and Georgia were to become members, in 2008. They only got occupied by Russia – and lots of sympathy.

    Now NATO welcomes Sweden and Finland in. That is an existential gamble. I hope they win, but “Vestigia terrent”.

    In any case, a shortage of lobster and merry melodies is unlikely.

  • Robert Holmén says:

    Having to lunch on lobster gazpacho would be punishment.

    Making it a giant one is only worse.

  • Lucy says:

    They are absolutely foul. A bunch of lying criminals. Trillions rolling around in bank accounts (check out Vatican) and lie to you saying there’s no money and you have to spend 50 years of your life slogging your guts out to own a property by which time you’ve died.

  • pvl says:

    It was a “Russian salad” on the menu that was the favourite

    https://www.cmjornal.pt/mundo/detalhe/cimeira-da-nato-serve-salada-russa-na-cantina-arrepende-se-e-muda-menu-veja-as-imagens

    (To your chagrin and displeasure :). )

    • Tiredofitall says:

      Russian salad (potato salad…) has been typical fare at every bar in Spain forever. Get over it.

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