Gabriel Tschumi
Encyclopedia
Gabriel Tschumi was a native of Switzerland
who served as Master Chef to three British monarchs - Queen Victoria, King Edward VII
and King George V
.
to start as a kitchen apprentice, Tschumi described the Royal chef M. Menager (equivalent to chef de cuisine in a restaurant at the time), who had eighteen chefs working under him, eight of whom had their own tables in different parts of the kitchen. "These, I found out, were the master cooks, some of whom one day might rise to the position of chef, with large staffs of their own, In the meantime they worked under M. Menager's supervision ...... assisted by the heads of other sections, the two pastry cooks, two roast cooks, bakers, confectioners' chefs and two larder cooks. Then, in diminishing order of importance, came two assistant chefs, eight kitchen maids, six scullery maids, six scourers, and finally the four apprentices."
Tschumi was successively promoted to Second Assistant Cook in 1905, Assistant Cook in 1906; Sixth Chief Cook in 1911; and Fifth Chief Cook 1918-19. When he received his Long and Faithful Service Medal in 1930, he was Third Chef. Tschumi helped to prepare meals for grand occasions. On the menu for dinner at Balmoral on October 9, 1900, was a sideboard of hot and cold chicken, boiled tongue and cold roast beef, vegetable soup, pheasant consommé with quenelles (dumplings, possibly lobster), cod, ham with cucumber, braised cabbage, stuffed turkey, haricot beans and Brussels sprouts.
Edward VII's 1902 coronation banquet included sole poached in Chablis
garnished with oysters and prawns, a quail and a third of "a very plump" roasting chicken (per person), asparagus with Hollandaise, roast beef, snipe cutlets, a soufflé Parmesan, and a strawberry dessert that took three days to assemble. The 250 guests were each given a handmade sugar crown as a table favor.
Tschumi was also responsible for the wedding breakfast for The Duke and Duchess of York on April 26, 1923, featuring: Consommé à la Windsor, Suprèmes de Saumon Reine Mary, Côtelettes d’Agneau Prince Albert, Chapons à la Strathmore and Fraises Duchesse Elizabeth.
Members of the Royal family insisted on using an affectionate Anglicized version of his last name, uniformly calling him ‘Chummy’.
at Welbeck Abbey
, as Chef from 1 July 1933. There, Tschumi and his wife had pleasant quarters; Mrs. Tschumi’s father having been Head Keeper at Windsor Great Park
under Queen Victoria, and having completed almost 50 years' service. Tschumi remained with the Duke of Portland until the Duke’s death in 1943, and thereafter helped the new Duke
and Duchess
, and the Dowager Duchess, for 5 or 6 months of each year. In August 1946 he was asked to assist for six weeks at Sandringham House
in Queen Mary
's household; and as a result of this, in October 1947 he was invited to become Chef to Queen Mary at Marlborough House
, which he did formally from January 1948 until October 1952, when he retired due to ill health.
A favorite of Queen Mary was this simple recipe for "Queen Mary's Cheese Biscuits" created by Chef Tschumi: "Take four oz. of grated parmesan cheese, 4 oz. of butter and 4 oz. of flour and mix into a paste on a board. Roll out thin, cut into shapes and bake on a greased tray in a medium oven for about 20 minutes. They should not be allowed to brown too greatly. At Marlborough House they were always stamped out with a round or oblong biscuit-cutter.".
where he wrote his memoirs, entitled Royal Chef: Recollections of a Life in Royal Households from Queen Victoria to Queen Mary, which was published in 1954. Gabriel ‘Chummy’ Tschumi died on 27 April 1957.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
who served as Master Chef to three British monarchs - Queen Victoria, King Edward VII
Edward VII of the United Kingdom
Edward VII was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India from 22 January 1901 until his death in 1910...
and King George V
George V of the United Kingdom
George V was King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, from 6 May 1910 through the First World War until his death in 1936....
.
Early life
Gabriel Tschumi was born in about 1883, in Moudon, Switzerland, where his father was a professor of languages; his father was killed in an accident three days after his birth. At the age of 16 in 1899, he was appointed a cook’s apprentice in the kitchens of the Royal Household through the good offices of his cousin, Miss Louise Tschumi, who was at the time one of Queen Victoria’s dressers.Career
Recalling his arrival at Buckingham PalaceBuckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
to start as a kitchen apprentice, Tschumi described the Royal chef M. Menager (equivalent to chef de cuisine in a restaurant at the time), who had eighteen chefs working under him, eight of whom had their own tables in different parts of the kitchen. "These, I found out, were the master cooks, some of whom one day might rise to the position of chef, with large staffs of their own, In the meantime they worked under M. Menager's supervision ...... assisted by the heads of other sections, the two pastry cooks, two roast cooks, bakers, confectioners' chefs and two larder cooks. Then, in diminishing order of importance, came two assistant chefs, eight kitchen maids, six scullery maids, six scourers, and finally the four apprentices."
Tschumi was successively promoted to Second Assistant Cook in 1905, Assistant Cook in 1906; Sixth Chief Cook in 1911; and Fifth Chief Cook 1918-19. When he received his Long and Faithful Service Medal in 1930, he was Third Chef. Tschumi helped to prepare meals for grand occasions. On the menu for dinner at Balmoral on October 9, 1900, was a sideboard of hot and cold chicken, boiled tongue and cold roast beef, vegetable soup, pheasant consommé with quenelles (dumplings, possibly lobster), cod, ham with cucumber, braised cabbage, stuffed turkey, haricot beans and Brussels sprouts.
Edward VII's 1902 coronation banquet included sole poached in Chablis
Chablis
Chablis is a town and commune in the Yonne department in Burgundy in north-central France.It lies in the valley of the River Serein.-Wine:The village of Chablis gives its name to one of the most famous French white wines...
garnished with oysters and prawns, a quail and a third of "a very plump" roasting chicken (per person), asparagus with Hollandaise, roast beef, snipe cutlets, a soufflé Parmesan, and a strawberry dessert that took three days to assemble. The 250 guests were each given a handmade sugar crown as a table favor.
Tschumi was also responsible for the wedding breakfast for The Duke and Duchess of York on April 26, 1923, featuring: Consommé à la Windsor, Suprèmes de Saumon Reine Mary, Côtelettes d’Agneau Prince Albert, Chapons à la Strathmore and Fraises Duchesse Elizabeth.
Members of the Royal family insisted on using an affectionate Anglicized version of his last name, uniformly calling him ‘Chummy’.
After Royal service
Tschumi retired from Royal service on 1 July 1932, and upon his retirement was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in Silver. He thereafter worked for the Duke of PortlandWilliam Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland
William John Arthur Charles James Cavendish-Bentinck, 6th Duke of Portland KG, GCVO, PC, TD, DL , known as William Cavendish-Bentinck until 1879, was a British landowner, courtier and Conservative politician...
at Welbeck Abbey
Welbeck Abbey
Welbeck Abbey near Clumber Park in North Nottinghamshire was the principal abbey of the Premonstratensian order in England and later the principal residence of the Dukes of Portland.-Monastic period:...
, as Chef from 1 July 1933. There, Tschumi and his wife had pleasant quarters; Mrs. Tschumi’s father having been Head Keeper at Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park is a large deer park of , to the south of the town of Windsor on the border of Berkshire and Surrey in England. The park was, for many centuries, the private hunting ground of Windsor Castle and dates primarily from the mid-13th century...
under Queen Victoria, and having completed almost 50 years' service. Tschumi remained with the Duke of Portland until the Duke’s death in 1943, and thereafter helped the new Duke
William Cavendish-Bentinck, 7th Duke of Portland
William Arthur Henry Cavendish-Bentinck, 7th Duke of Portland KG , known as Marquess of Titchfield until 1943, was a British Conservative Party politician....
and Duchess
Ivy Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland
Ivy Cavendish-Bentinck, Duchess of Portland DBE , born Ivy Gordon-Lennox, was Duchess of Portland from 1943 to 1977 and afterwards Dowager Duchess. She founded the Harley Foundation, "to encourage creativity"....
, and the Dowager Duchess, for 5 or 6 months of each year. In August 1946 he was asked to assist for six weeks at Sandringham House
Sandringham House
Sandringham House is a country house on of land near the village of Sandringham in Norfolk, England. The house is privately owned by the British Royal Family and is located on the royal Sandringham Estate, which lies within the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.-History and current...
in Queen Mary
Mary of Teck
Mary of Teck was the queen consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, as the wife of King-Emperor George V....
's household; and as a result of this, in October 1947 he was invited to become Chef to Queen Mary at Marlborough House
Marlborough House
Marlborough House is a mansion in Westminster, London, in Pall Mall just east of St James's Palace. It was built for Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, the favourite and confidante of Queen Anne. The Duchess wanted her new house to be "strong, plain and convenient and good"...
, which he did formally from January 1948 until October 1952, when he retired due to ill health.
A favorite of Queen Mary was this simple recipe for "Queen Mary's Cheese Biscuits" created by Chef Tschumi: "Take four oz. of grated parmesan cheese, 4 oz. of butter and 4 oz. of flour and mix into a paste on a board. Roll out thin, cut into shapes and bake on a greased tray in a medium oven for about 20 minutes. They should not be allowed to brown too greatly. At Marlborough House they were always stamped out with a round or oblong biscuit-cutter.".
Later years
In retirement, Tschumi went to live in WimbledonWimbledon, London
Wimbledon is a district in the south west area of London, England, located south of Wandsworth, and east of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated within Greater London. It is home to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and New Wimbledon Theatre, and contains Wimbledon Common, one of the largest areas...
where he wrote his memoirs, entitled Royal Chef: Recollections of a Life in Royal Households from Queen Victoria to Queen Mary, which was published in 1954. Gabriel ‘Chummy’ Tschumi died on 27 April 1957.