Royal Australian tour: Misc Parramatta prepares to cater for King Charles, Queen Camilla’s visit
Would you like labneh with that, your majesties? As royal fever sweeps Parramatta, a Gogglebox star and restaurateur has revealed what’s on the menu for his once-in-a-lifetime catering gig.
NSW
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Parramatta is in the grip of royal pandemonium and ecstatic Misc restaurateur Jad Nehmetallah is making sure King Charles and Queen Camilla are in for a right royal feed when they visit Parramatta Park for a barbecue on Tuesday.
Along with traditional barbie fare cooked up by lifesaver volunteers, the Gogglebox regular and his team from Misc, which opened at Parramatta Park in 2022, have prepared a “royal foldover” for the monarchs and guests at the invitation-only event hosted by NSW Premier Chris Minns from 11.30am.
Guests will feast on a lamb sausage with smoked labneh, zhoug, herbs, pickled onions and sumac on freshly baked pita bread.
“I’m so, so, so excited,’’ Mr Nehmetallah said.
“Like, finally, Parramatta’s got royalty. I’m obviously royalty, but apart from me, Parramatta’s going to have a royal visit and the west is being recognised.
“It’s very culturally diverse here in Parramatta and for us to be able to showcase something off our menu, it is quite humbling.’’
Thirsty guests will also be served a refreshing “king’s elixir” juice with pomegranate, cranberry and lychee, while the queen’s nectar is mixed with mango, juice and passionfruit.
Mr Nehmetallah joked he would ask the king if he knew what toum (garlic sauce) was and “isn’t the best labneh you ever ate in your life?’’
“To be honest, we’re not expecting him to eat, we’re just happy he’s being part of the community,’’ Mr Nehmetallah said.
If you want to know how the other half eats, the royal foldover will be served to guests at Misc this week.
Misc will transport its offerings to the barbecue, which is most likely to be in between the restaurant and heritage-listed Old Government House at the rambling 85-hectare park.
The king’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II opened the restored museum at Old Government House in the park in 1970 and returned to Parramatta in 1986 to open Parramatta Stadium.
While the community barbecue is by invitation only, that won’t stop thousands keen on witnessing history flocking to the park for the barbecue, organised to showcase multicultural Australia.
Proud Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter said the royals’ visit would help elevate Parramatta as an international city.
“It’s fantastic – it’s the best thing to happen and my goal is to make sure Parramatta’s a global city and what better way to have us all over the media all around the world?’’ he said.
“I think people are going to remember this for generations.’’
Mr Zaiter is equally chuffed images of the picturesque park and landmarks including CommBank Stadium could be beamed around the globe as part of the royal tour to Parramatta – Sydney’s second European settlement.
Mr Zaiter has been flooded with questions from colleagues and residents desperate for an invitation to the barbecue.
“Honestly, everyone’s so excited and really in a good way,’’ he said.
The timing of his mayoralty – which only began last week – is not lost on Mr Zaiter, who briefly greeted Prince Harry on his visit to the Invictus Games in Sydney in 2018.
“I’m truly honoured and humbled that I’ll get this opportunity in the first week,’’ he said.
It’s also a big week on the Parramatta social calendar.
“We’re rolling into Parramatta Lanes on Wednesday. For me, to be elected as Lord Mayor, to have royals and follow up with Parramatta Lanes, it’s really exciting for Parramatta,’’ Mr Zaiter said.
“We can’t get the royals every week but … people are excited to come to Parramatta and spend their money.’’
Given the chance, Mr Zaiter said he might ask the king how Parramatta compares with his previous visits, including 1977.
“From what people told me he’s very sharp and he does his research. I’d be surprised (if he remembers) but who knows.’’
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Originally published as Royal Australian tour: Misc Parramatta prepares to cater for King Charles, Queen Camilla’s visit
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