Peach Melba Dessert & Dame Nellie Melba

A pretend conversation in an Oldie World Restaurant

Waiter:     Madame, what treat may I bring to your good table?

Lady:       I desire something peachy, sir.

Waiter:     May I recommend a new creation of haute cuisine from our French chef. Some blooming peaches plucked from the tree at the height of their season, cut to the core, and poached in sweet syrup. Gently drizzled with raspberry puree, and resting on a bed of vanilla ice cream within a sparkling crystal bowl.

Lady:       Oh, peachy delicious! That hits the right notes.

Hello Friends,

In 1892 or 1893, the late Australian, opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba got her just desserts at a London restaurant. The Duke of Orleans held a dinner party in her honor at the Savoy Hotel. Auguste Escoffier created the “Peach Melba” dessert for the special occasion. He displayed the treat on an ice sculpture of a swan—a symbol of the opera in which she’d triumphantly sung her notes.

Title: Proofs of Dame Nellie Melba, 1902

Photographer: Andrew Barrie 1878-1916

Summary: A photograph of five proofs pinned to fabric, depicting Dame Nellie Melba in various outfits, and consist of one bust, one full-length and three 3/4 length shots. 

Source: State Library of Victoria, Australia

According to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the mid-late 19 century was an era of great opera divas. Some of them were extremely popular and rich too. A Golden Age of Opera.

“Adelina Patti and Nellie Melba were all sopranos, the highest-range female voice, which had the clarity and flexibility to cope with elaborate passages of flamboyant music… Foreign star singers were considered exotic…and Italian opera was fashionable.”

 source: Victoria & Albert Museum 

Title: Din and Nellie Melba, sometime, 1910-1920

Photographer: unknown

Summary:  Shows Dame Nellie Melba and her dog Din standing on the verandah of her cottage house. Dame Nellie wears a summer coat and long skirt, and a hat with a motoring veil drawn back to reveal her face. The dog has very muddy paws.

This photograph, was owned by a companion and personal assistant to Melba before 1914.

Source: State Library of Victoria, Australia

Here’s a short video on the history of Dame Nellie Melba.

Thanks to youtuber, Stephanie history, who dedicated the documentary to Dame Nellie’s Melba’s life and legacy.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Peach Melba is a classic dessert from the 19th Century. A simple and elegant food which was created by French Chef, Georges Auguste Escoffier, a King of Chefs, and inspired by an Australian Opera Star, the wonderful Dame Nellie Melba. Peach Melba served in a crystal bowl will always remind me of the ice swan and history of the treat.

The dessert from the era of the two famous people is still being made today. Modern additions can include slivers of almonds or caramel sauce. Peach Melba is also made into a cake, a slice, a popsicle, or a cocktail.

The authentic French recipe may be used. Or other variations can be made using recipes from Martha Stewart or Nigella Lawson.

For a quick and easy recipe – buy a tin of peaches from the supermarket, place frozen or fresh raspberries into a food processor and sweeten to taste, and then add a scoop of ice-cream. Done. A taste of history! Yum. 

Enjoy your weekend. 
♥ Ashlyn