LONDON'S "BARON" OF BEEF.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16414, 7 January 1919, Page 8

LONDON'S "BARON" OF BEEF.

With the continued pressure on our food supplies it has become necessary strictly to ration the menus of the public banquets (remarked the London "Daily Telegraph" at the end of October). The Guildhall banquet —probably the greatest function of its kind in the kingdom—has come into line with, the less important events, and this year, for the second time on record, is dispensing with its historic baron of beef. Mr William Brymer, of Messrs Ring and Brjrmer, stated that the "baron'' had probably be-in served at the Mayoral banquets at the Guildhall for at least three centuries. His own firm had supplied it to this function for nearly 150 years. The "baron" of beof was much liked by the diners, and no November 9th Guildhall banquet was considered complete without it. : The roast used to form an important feature of the State banquets of the great city companies, but since the war it has been rigorously excluded.

The "baron" consists of the prime part of the beast, and weighs from 1801b to 2401b. Six are usually roasted for the 1200 guests at the Lord Mayor's banquet. Four of the "barons" are, actually carved in the Great Hall in the presence of the diners, each joint being decorated with gilt Lion and Unicorn flags. The meat is cut cold, and during the time it is being served to the guests the band, in accordance with a very ancient custom, plays "The Roast Beef of Old England."