Torta Rogel

Argentina: Torta Rogel

After last night’s rather comprehensive victory, the second semi-final tonight will decide which team is going to teach Germany a lesson or two about winning a match. Argentina will need some support, and I think a slice or two of this cake might just do the trick. Torta Rogel, or Alfajor Rogel, is a uniquely decadent concoction…

Russian Salad

Russia: Russian Salad

This Russian salad – or Salade Olivier, comes with a lot of history: first invented in the 1860s in Moscow by a chef named Lucien Olivier, who guarded the recipe jealously. His sous-chef – apparently – stole the recipe and opened up his own restaurant to sell his version – needless to say, it simply wasn’t the…

Pilgogi

South Korea: Pulgogi – Korean Beef Barbecue

I thought I would have to admit defeat on that one – I have absolutely no idea about South Korea other than being able to find it on a map. Oh, and they hosted the World Cup twelve years ago, together with Japan, which meant all the matches were shown early in the morning. Fortunately I…