Feast of Delight

Artist - David Noren - Artstation.com

One day per year, the Den of Delight, hosts the single most decadent event in the entire world. The Emperor hosts a special celebration, The Feast of Delight, to celebrate the birth of the Empire. Immortalizing the date at which The Great Warlord Milo declared himself Emperor, and named this new land Valsgard. 250 carefully chosen guests from all corners of the world are invited to witness the glory of the Empire.
They day begins at dawn, with the court dancers reenacting an abridged version of Milo's conquest and victory, as the guests are served dark, sweet wine to symbolize the blood of the vanquished. After a toast from the Emperor himself, the first courses are brought to the tables. The kitchens have been preparing for weeks gathering ingredients and supplies from all over Valsgard. The feasting lasts all day and into the late hours of the night.

Artist - David Noren - Artstation.com

The first taste is ceremonially offered by the Emperor himself from his elevated seat, samplings of the finest fruit and cheese. Small bites to whet the palates of the guests, as they are entertained by singers, musicians, acrobats and fools. As the day wages on the foods become more decadent and rich.
The courses start with fresh fish, shellfish, and octopus, delicately cooked so tender they seem to melt in your mouth. Bowls of mint leaves adorn every table to cleanse the tastes from ones mouth. Soon comes the honey roasted squab with cranberries and citrus, racks of ribs from the elegant gandelk, and the liver of geese in mushroom gravy, pies of flaky butter crust, and trenchers of roasted vegetables, and of course ales, wines and spirits.
Guests are free to roam about the Den of Delight as they wishes, indulging in the many activities the bathhouse has to offer. Perhaps the most oft visited room in the entire place is the Vomitoria, where guests are encouraged to rid themselves of the excess bloat of previous courses as to not miss out on anything.
The final course of the feast arrives at sundown, in a grand display. The best is saved for last, hundreds if not thousands of pastries make their way on to the tables, one for every taste. Sweet, savory, sour, spicy, and above all else decadent. Finally a cake towering high, of chocolate and custard is wheeled out on a cart. The Emperor greets the cake in the center of the Hall, and he invites the guests to taste the sweet taste, and guests line up as he watches as his guests are given a small piece of the cake. He reminds them all that this exquisite flavor is the taste of divine success.
After sundown, the feast turns shifts from food to flesh, and the masquerade begins, where all manner of delight are indulged. The wine flows, and the masks appear, and inhibitions disappear. This festival is truly one for the ages. It is a shame only a select few ever get to experience it, however, isn't it the same for prosperity? Only for a select few to enjoy?

Commons.wikimedia.org
The crown jewel of the feast is the cake. The bakers spend weeks perfecting a recipe that absolutely must top the previous year. It is no secret that the Emperor is particularly fond of chocolate, custard and raspberries, so every year the cake is nearly the same. With the display out doing itself each time.

commons.wikimedia.org
Slice of cake showing the many light layers, exhibiting the craftsmanship that goes into the cake. It is the pride of the baker chosen to display their talent.