Heston Blumenthal Space Food- Chicken Curry

Heston Blumenthal Space Food- Chicken Curry

The celebrity chef, Heston Blumenthal, is known for his scientific approach to cooking. His pioneering techniques have earned him Michelin stars and a fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry. After two years of research, Heston and his team produced seven dishes specially for British astronaut Tim Peake's mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The aim was to create food that was more than merely fuel. His dishes would lift morale and stimulate memories of home, as well as tasting delicious. For Tim, they were a welcome treat, but with the prospect of a crewed flight to Mars, this approach to food may become crucial to astronauts’ emotional well-being on long missions.

Space food has come a long way since the simple tubes of puree eaten by the first astronauts. Before departing for the ISS, astronauts can choose their menus out of over 200 options. The food is reported to be generally pleasant, if a little bland. The environment it is consumed in is partly to blame, as microgravity causes the senses to dull. The faint smell of machinery mixed with body odour and the constant 60 decibel engine noise experienced on the ISS, hardly provide an ideal ambiance for dining.

Before being approved for flight, space food must undergo rigorous testing. It must stay edible for a year or more and adhere to a long list of restrictions. The process of thermal stabilisation, necessary to ensure the foods are safe to eat, can alter the texture of food dramatically. With these obstacles to overcome, Heston devised a flavour packed menu based on Tim Peake’s personal memories. This dish is based on Tim and his wife Rebecca's favourite takeaway.

Web resources

• The History of Space Food