In contrast, when dining alone, Franz Joseph favoured beef boiled in water with simple vegetables. When holidaying in the Austrian spa town of Bad Ischl, it's said he ate only fermented milk and rye bread. Sisi, on the other hand, loved sorbet mixed with violets, sugar and Champagne. Days in this kitchen began early, as the king took his breakfast at 5am. The chefs then spent the rest of the day preparing food for the royals, as well as the 2,000 court employees.

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