The Russian state banquet was luxurious, but Tsar Elizabeth only ate olive soup, oatcakes, bacon, and onions.

As mentioned in Chapter 14 of American historian Robert Massy's work "The Road to Power: Catherine the Great", Empress Elizabeth only liked to try some Russian peasants Dishes: Olive soup, oatcakes, cured meats and onions.

The Russian state banquet originated in ancient times and can be traced back to the Tsarist era. The food culture of the Russian people is influenced by many cultures including Eastern Europe, Asia and Western Europe. At the state banquet, people can taste a variety of dishes, including meat, fish, cheese, fruits and vegetables, etc. These dishes not only have unique tastes, but also have complicated production techniques, which reflect the Russians' love for food and their pursuit of delicious food.

The traditional dishes of the Russian state banquet have strong Russian characteristics, including puff pastry, frozen meat, caviar and sashimi. Among them, pastry dishes are classic representatives on the Russian table, such as the iconic Russian meat pies and Soviet-style pastry rolls. Making these dishes requires some skill and patience, but once done, they taste great.

Russian state banquet table setting and dining etiquette

Russian state banquet table setting is very particular, paying attention to details and beauty. Typically, dining tables are rectangular or round in shape. The dining table will be covered with gorgeous tablecloths and fine china and silverware. In addition, flowers and decorations will be placed on the dining table to increase the ceremony and solemnity of the banquet.

The dining etiquette of Russian state banquets has its own unique features. For example, before eating, the host will raise his glass, toast and welcome the guests. When dining, guests should sit in designated seats and wait for the host to speak before starting to eat.

There are also strict regulations on the order in which each dish should be enjoyed, usually starting with fish or seafood, then meat and vegetables, and finally dessert. During the meal, guests should respect the host and other guests and refrain from making loud noises or chewing too loudly.