by Freddie Mercury, the legendary lead singer of the rock band Queen, was known for many things – his incredible vocal range, his flamboyant stage persona, and his larger than life personality.
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However, what many fans may not know is that Mercury had very distinct tastes when it came to food. While he enjoyed partying and indulging, Mercury was also quite discerning about what he put into his body. Here are five foods that were known to be some of Freddie Mercury’s personal favorites.
Curry
One of the dishes Mercury loved above all others was a good curry. Mercury, who was born in Zanzibar to Parsi parents, developed a taste for Indian cuisine from a young age. Curry was a staple in his household growing up. Throughout his life and career, Mercury maintained his love of spicy and flavorful curries.
In numerous interviews, Mercury’s bandmates and friends recalled how the singer would always request an Indian curry when touring internationally. No matter where in the world Queen happened to be performing, Mercury made sure to seek out the best local curry. If the options were lacking, he’d have his personal chef prepare a curry for him.
Curry remained one of Mercury’s go-to foods, even as his lifestyle grew more extravagant with the band’s success. When recording their classic albums in Munich during the 1970s, Mercury’s curry cravings were well-known amongst the studio staff. On days off from the studio, Mercury could often be found exploring Munich’s Indian restaurants in search of the perfect curry dish.
Curry also played a role in Mercury’s pre-show rituals with Queen. Before taking the stage, Mercury liked to indulge in a hearty curry meal to boost his energy levels for an epic performance. His bandmates joked that Mercury’s powerful vocals were fueled in part by his love of spicy Indian food. Whether chicken curry, lamb curry, or vegetable curry, Mercury had a lifelong appreciation for the complex and warming flavors of this dish.
Fish & Chips
While curry may have satisfied Mercury’s taste for spice, another favorite comfort food of his was good old fashioned fish and chips. This quintessential British meal held special nostalgic appeal for Mercury, who found success around the world but always considered London his true home.
Mercury had fond childhood memories of visiting seaside towns in England like Brighton with his family. The smell of fried fish wafting from colorful chip shops stirred up feelings of happiness and relaxation. As an adult, he’d often crave fish and chips, especially on rainy London nights or after a long day in the recording studio.
According to close friend and assistant Peter Freestone, no meal cheered Mercury up quite like fish and chips. On his days off at home in London, Mercury loved nothing more than picking up fresh fish and chips from his local chippy to enjoy while watching TV or listening to records. The golden battered fish and crispy hot chips were pure comfort food for him.
While on tour, Mercury made sure to seek out the best local fish and chip shops in every English town Queen visited. He was always game to try regional variations like Scottish haddock and chips or Manchester’s renowned spicy mushy peas. Wherever he found himself, a good piece of fish was a taste of home that Mercury appreciated.
Even in his later years as his health declined, fish and chips brought Mercury joy. Freestone recalls how the singer’s face would light up at the sight of his favorite meal. To his last days, Freddie Mercury maintained an affinity for this quintessential British classic.
Pasta
In addition to curries and fish and chips, another staple in Mercury’s diet was pasta. The singer held a particular passion for Italian cuisine, especially dishes from his beloved second home of Genova, Italy. Mercury spent much of the 1980s living part-time in a beautiful home just outside of Genova, where he immersed himself in the local culture and cuisine.
It was during this period that Mercury’s love of pasta truly blossomed. He became enamored with fresh pasta dishes showcasing the finest Italian ingredients. Some of Mercury’s most beloved pasta preparations included pesto genovese tossed with trofie pasta, slow-braised beef ragù over pappardelle, and seafood linguine alle vongole.
Mercury also developed a deep appreciation for handmade pasta, preferring artisanal varieties to dried mass-produced noodles. On weekends at his Genova villa, Mercury enjoyed cooking elaborate pasta meals for friends, often with a fine Chianti. His personal chef learned that the only way to please the discerning singer was with the freshest pasta and sauces.
When Queen was on tour in Italy, Mercury made sure to take full advantage of the local cuisine. After shows, he could often be found dining late into the night at intimate family-run trattorias, savoring pasta dishes he’d come to love. Pasta held a special place in Mercury’s heart as a taste of his adopted Italian homeland. Throughout his life, he remained devoted to this simple yet perfect food.
Meat
While Mercury enjoyed many vegetarian dishes as well, he also had a significant appetite for high-quality meat. The singer was quite the carnivore, with a particular liking for roasted meats prepared with care and finesse. Some of his favorite cuts included lamb, steak, and game meats like venison and pheasant.
Mercury had discerning tastes when it came to meat. He expected only the finest cuts, preferably organic and locally-sourced. His personal chefs learned quickly that overcooking or using inferior quality meat was not acceptable if they wanted to keep their job. Mercury was happy to pay top dollar for premium meat but demanded it be cooked to perfect tenderness.
Friends recall lavish Sunday roasts at Mercury’s home, where he’d procure a beautiful rib of beef, leg of lamb or whole chicken to roast to smoky perfection. Holiday celebrations always centered around a magnificent meat-focused feast. On tour, Mercury made sure the band’s catering provided high-end protein options, whether grilled steaks on the bus or game dishes in nice hotel restaurants.
Meat was an indulgence Mercury truly relished. He loved its rich, hearty flavors and the sense of occasion a beautiful cut of meat could provide. While he balanced his diet well overall, Mercury never denied himself the pleasure and comfort of a perfectly cooked steak or roast when the mood struck. Premium meat was a staple in his life right up until the end.
Chocolate
Last but certainly not least among Freddie Mercury’s favorite foods was chocolate in all its glorious forms. The singer possessed an insatiable sweet tooth and unabashed love of chocolate that knew no bounds. Whether dark chocolate truffles, rich chocolate mousse or homemade chocolate chip cookies, Mercury couldn’t get enough of the cocoa bean’s complex flavors.
As a child, Mercury’s favorite treats were homemade Indian sweets like jalebi and ladoo. But as an adult living in Europe, he became enamored with fine continental chocolates. Mercury collected exquisite chocolate bonbons and pralines from the finest chocolatiers in Switzerland, Belgium and France. Dark chocolate was a personal favorite that he favored for its depth without excessive sweetness.
However, Mercury also enjoyed less refined chocolate indulgences. He loved a thick hot chocolate on a winter’s day as much as a cold chocolate milkshake on a summer afternoon. And nothing satisfied his cravings quite like a giant slab of fudge or homemade chocolate cake fresh from the oven. Mercury believed strongly that life was too short not to fully enjoy chocolate in all its forms.
Chocolate was Mercury’s ultimate vice. According to friends like Peter Freestone, the singer could polish off an entire box of chocolates or pan of brownies in one sitting if left to his own devices. While moderation was important for his health, Mercury saw chocolate purely as a pleasure, never denying himself the occasional decadent indulgence. To his last days, Freddie Mercury’s sweet tooth remained in full force.
The Legacy of Mercury’s Palate
Through his life and legendary career, Freddie Mercury maintained distinct tastes and preferences when it came to food and flavor. While he balanced indulgence with health, Mercury never denied himself pleasures of the palate from his beloved curries to premium cuts of meat. His affinity for authentic world cuisines like Indian food and passion for staples like fish and chips and pasta offer insight into his cosmopolitan yet nostalgic nature.
Most of all, Mercury approached food with the same lust for life he brought to everything. Whether cooking for friends at his Italian villa or seeking out new culinary discoveries on tour, he found profound joy in the simple act of sharing a meal. Mercury didn’t just fuel his body – he fueled his soul with flavors that stirred memories and evoked feelings of home, comfort, celebration and community.
Conclusion
In celebrating Freddie Mercury’s five favorite foods, we not only pay homage to his culinary legacy but also gain a deeper insight into the man behind the music. From the vibrant flavors of his childhood in Zanzibar to the comforting embrace of hearty stews and aromatic curries, Mercury’s favorite dishes reflect a life lived with passion and gusto. Just as he captivated audiences with his electrifying performances, Mercury continues to tantalize our taste buds with his enduring love for good food. As we savor each bite of Zanzibari spiced chicken, pasta carbonara, and stuffed peppers, let us raise a toast to the culinary maestro whose appetite for life knew no bounds. Cheers to Freddie Mercury—a legend in music and a gourmet at heart.
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