Incredible yet edible Roald Dahl-inspired food and drink
Roald Dahl-inspired treats
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Roald Dahl's birth, we’ve rounded up some of the most magnificent and gruesome Roald Dahl -themed food and drinks available across the UK and USA.
James’ giant peach cocktail at Drake & Morgan, London
For one day only on 13th September 2016 – Dahl's birthday – Drake & Morgan will be whipping up some imaginative treats, such as a James’ Giant Peach cocktail – a juicy mix of crème de peche, Amaretto, KwaiFehLychee liquer and gin mare, presented with a golden peach (of course).
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Whipple-scrumptious delight at Drake & Morgan, London
Alternatively, you and a friend could share a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Whipple-Scrumptious Delight, which is essentially a giant sundae full of honeycomb and chocolate ice cream.
Matilda: Lavender and Miss Honey's Cupcake, Baked, New York
These raspberry cupcakes topped with lavender frosting are inspired by Matilda. Of course, since both Miss Honey and Roald Dahl himself loved chocolate, no inspired cupcake would be complete without chocolate shavings.
Spencer Platt / Staff/ Getty
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Wonka bar
Most of us will have seen the Wonka brand in high street stores, but the original Wonka chocolate bar is a little harder to come across. The bar, which appeared in the films Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was manufactured in different varieties in the real world by Willy Wonka Candy Company – a division of Nestlé. However, they were soon discontinued due to poor sales, but they're still out there so don't give up yet!
Roald Dahl-inspired dahl at the Cinnamon Club, Victoria, London
To celebrate the legacy of Dahl, the pun-masters at the Cinnamon Club in Victoria have created a special dahl menu (geddit?) to mark the occasion. Running from 5th September to 2nd October, the menu includes the Sun’dahl – a colourful Maharashtrian moong dahl salad with cucumber curry leaf; Matilda’s smokey tandoori chicken with cumin tempered yellow dahl and The Witches' rich 24-hour slow-cooked black dahl served with curried game mince.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Everlasting gobstopper
I'm sure we've all tried one of these at some point in our lives, but if not, there's something pretty intriguing about the Wonka Everlasting Gobstopper. You can pick them up on Amazon. But just how long does it really last?
Matilda: Bruce Bogtrotter chocolate ice cream, Coolhaus, California
In the sunshine of California, Miss Trunchbull has replaced Bruce Bogtrotter's chocolate cake treat with ice cream. This scrumptious treat is available through September at Coolhaus.
Roald Dahl afternoon tea at Down Hall, Hertfordshire
In honor of one of the best-loved authors of all time, Down Hall in Hertfordshire is running an entire afternoon tea inspired by Dahl's books, including James and the Giant Peach peach jam tart, chocolate fudge cake from Matilda and Coronation Chicken sandwiches to appease Fantastic Mr Fox.
James and the Giant Peach: Cobbler Cookies, Milk Jar Cookies, Los Angeles
These gooey cookies are inspired by James and the Giant Peach and are part of the 'Dahlicious Delights' available through September. The cookies are made from fresh peach, peach dough and yogurt chips... topped with a peach. You can mail order them if you're not in the LA area.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Wonka Oompas candy
These skittle-like balls of flavoured Oompa Loompa candy will make you want to die your hair green and dance around in a pair of baggy trousers and braces. It’ll come at a price though; Candy Warehouse sells them for $24 (£18) a pop, so it’s worth scouring around for them.
Matilda: Bruce Bogtrotter cake at Café Twit, Buckinghamshire
Luckily for you, you’ll probably never be forced to eat a giant chocolate cake full of sweat and blood like Bruce Bogtrotter. But if you do fancy eating a much more pleasant version of the famous chocolate cake, Café Twit at the Roald Dahl museum in Buckinghamshire, England is there to help.
Fantastic Mr Fox: Apple cider ice cream, Ample Hills Creamery, New York
Throughout September, one of New York's most popular creameries has created one of a website full of 'Dahlicious Delight' treats to celebrate Roald Dahl's life and work. The apple cider ice cream is inspired by Fantastic Mr Fox and is available along with 'Nonna D's Oatmeal Lace' and 'Sweet as Honey' for $36 (£27).
Various: Assorted doughnuts, Voodoo doughnuts
Different places across the United States will experience different Dahl-inspired doughnuts throughout September to celebrate 100 years since the author's birth. Different doughnuts inspired by Dahl classics – including The Witches, The BFG and Fantastic Mr Fox – will be available from different branches in Austin (TX), Denver (CO), Portland (OR) and Eugene (OR).
Roald Dahl afternoon tea at the Shard, London
Like Down Hall, Aqua at the Shard in London is also running an afternoon tea event to mark the anniversary. Available from Monday-Friday until the end of September, the creative tea offers a combination of innovative Dahl-inspired treats.
James and the Giant Peach: Peach merangues at Aqua Shard, London
You’ll be served the likes of these peach meringues filled with cream, all while looking out over London.
Roly Poly Bird: Choux bun at Aqua Shard, London
Perhaps the most impressive of items on the menu is this RolyPoly Bird choux bun, complete with a colorful tail, which almost looks too good to eat. Almost.
The Twits: Sting & tonic, The Vaults, London
If you fancy re-living your childhood nightmares as an adult, you can dine with Mr and Mrs Twit, sampling some of the most revolting recipes the gruesome pair have to offer, while sipping on this threatening-looking cocktail of gin, nettle cordial and tonic.
The Twits: Sky Rodent Goujons, The Vaults, London
The event, Dinner at the Twits, which takes place at the Vaults in London, is run by Les Enfants Terribles theatre company, in collaboration with gastronomy from Bompas & Parr and Creature of London. For $108 (£81.50) a ticket, you’ll get to hunt for canapes such as these ‘sky rodent goujons’, which are pieces of the ‘London rat’, aka pigeon.
The Twits: Burnt bangers, The Vaults, London
Also on the menu are bangers left in the oven for a bit too long by Mr.Twit. Obviously it’s all a façade, they are in fact glazed chipolotas coated in a smothering of black poppy seeds – but you could easily be fooled.
The Twits: Bird feed, The Vaults, London
While being fully entertained by the worst hosts ever, you can also snack on some ‘no squawking’ bird feed, which is a batch of Marmite-glazed roast nuts. You could love them or hate them, but we’ll guess the former.
The Twits: Mould, The Vaults, London
Alternatively, you could always opt for a bit of mould. The menu describes the dish as a replica of Mrs Twit’s varicose veins – cheese brimming with blue veins of mould “almost as potent as her own scent”, served with fresh chunks of pineapple.
The Twits: Mrs Twit’s bird pie, The Vaults, London
For the main course, brave ticket holders are given the chance to feast on the ghastly (but also incredibly tasty) infamous Mrs Twit’s bird pie – a slow braised pheasant and turkey pie, garnished with the claws of a thousand fowl.
The Twits: Terrible Trifle, The Vaults, London
And for dessert, you will of course be greeted with the Twits’ trifle, which is just about as fragrant as Mrs Twit's potpourri, but much more tasty.
James and the Giant Peach: Giant Peach doughnuts, Doughnut Plant, New York
You'll be fighting off Aunt Sponge for a taste of this Dahlicious Delight. These mini Giant Peach Cake doughnuts with magic green crystals are available throughout September.