VISITORS TO WINDSOR CASTLE CAN TAKE A GUIDED TOUR 'BEHIND THE SCENES' TO TEH CASTLE'S GREAT KITCHEN, THE OLDEST WORKING KITCHEN IN ENGLAND. DATING BACK TO THE REIGN OF EDWARD III, THE GREAT KITCHEN HAS REMAINED IN CI=ONSTANT USE FOR OVER 650 YEARS AND HAS SERVED 32 BRITISH MONARCHS. THE TOUR INTRODUCES THE HISTORY OF ROYAL DINING, PAST AND PRESENT, AND GIVES A FASCINATING INSIGHT INTO WINDSOR CASTLE AS A WORKING ROYAL PALACE. TODAY, THE STAFF OF TEH ROYAL HOUSEHOLD USE THE GREAT KITCHEN TO PREPARE FOOD FOR BOTH GRAND CEREMONIAL OCCASIONS, SUCH AS STATE BANQUETS, AND MORE INFORMAL EVENTS IN THE ROYAL DIARY.
AFTER THE DEVESTATING FIRE OF 1992, RESTORATION WORK AT THE CASTLE UNCOVERED THE GREAT KITCHEN'S ORIGINAL MEDIEVAL STRUCTURE. AT THE SAME TIME, THE SPACE WAS REFITTED TO 21st CENTURY STANDARDS, AND NEW LIFTS WERE INSTALLED TO DELIVER FOOD FOR STATE BANQUETS TO ST GEORGE'S HALL ABOVE. PREVIOUSLY ALL FIVE COURSES FOR THE 161 GUESTS HAD TO BE WALKED UP THE STAIRS, SO AN EXTRA 20 PLATES WERE PREPARED IN CASE OF A DISASTER. THE TRADITIONAL COPPER POTS FROM THE REIGN OF GEORGE IV STAND ALONGSIDE MODERN HIGH-TECH EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS A HUGE WALK-IN FRIDGE AND GIANT FOOD MIXER, CAPABLE OF WHISKING HUNDREDS OF EGGS AT ONCE. THE GREAT KITCHEN TOUR IS AVAILABLE ON SELECTED DATES IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY, AUGUST, AND SEPTEMBER 2010.
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