Sophie Adenot will become the first French astronaut to be hosted on the International Space Station in 2026, but she won’t be at all nostalgic for the cuisine of her homeland.
Her meals will even be prepared, AFP reports, by French chef Annie-Sophie Peak, who has 10 Michelin stars and was named best female chef by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2011.
So what will Adeno enjoy? The menu includes four starters, two main courses, and two desserts. Among them are parsnip and cod velouté, chicken with tonka beans and polenta, and, for dessert, chocolate cream and hazelnut.
Food delivered to ISS must meet strict specifications. They should not be easily rubbed or too heavy, and must be stored for two years. Fresh fruits and vegetables are only available when new supplies arrive.
For these reasons, most meals in Space are canned, vacuum packed or dried and frozen.
However, to break the monotony, one of the 10 meals is prepared for specific crew members according to their personal preferences.
Adeno explained in a statement that “during an expedition, sharing our respective dishes is a way to invite fellow crewmembers to learn more about our culture,” adding that doing so strengthens crew bonds. Sophie Adenot is a former helicopter test pilot.
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