It is a ritual that has become inseparable from Christmas Eve in Prague: the traditional fish soup on Staroměstské náměstí, which was once again prepared this year according to a special secret recipe.
Supported by numerous helpers, Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda (ODS) personally took up the ladle to serve the steaming meal to those waiting. What originally began purely as a meal for the homeless and those in need has long since developed into a social event for everyone. Alongside people in need, many passers-by, tourists and entire families with children joined the guests to celebrate the start of the festive season together.
A logistical masterpiece made from 1.5 tonnes of ingredients
Behind the culinary experience lies an outstanding logistical achievement by the cooking team of the company Taiko. For the 2,000 portions served on the Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí) alone, the chefs processed a total of 1,500 kilograms of ingredients. The base consisted of 260 kilograms of carp from Czech fish ponds. These were joined by, among other things, 130 kilograms of vegetables (mainly carrots, celery and parsley), 40 kilograms of onions, 90 kilograms of flour, 65 kilograms of butter and 60 litres of cream. The special touch was provided by the obligatory dash of cognac and caramel, as well as croutons roasted in butter.
Anyone who failed to secure a portion on the Old Town Square had better luck at other locations across the capital: the traditional soup was also served on Kampa Island near Charles Bridge and on Republic Square (náměstí Republiky).
