The former Swiss Guard publishes a Catholic Christmas cookbook

A new cookbook offers recipes, some more than 1.000 years old, that were served in the Vatican during Advent and Christmas.

"The Vatican Christmas Cookbook" is written by chef David Geisser, a former member of the Vatican Swiss Guard, together with author Thomas Kelly. The book offers stories of the Vatican Christmas celebrations and includes 100 Vatican Christmas recipes.

The book pays particular attention to the Swiss Guard, the small military force that has guarded the popes for five centuries.

“It is only with the collaboration and assistance of the Swiss Guard that we are able to present this collection of special recipes, stories and images inspired by the Vatican and set in the glory and wonder of the Christmas season,” explains the book's forward.

“We hope it brings some comfort and joy to everyone. With gratitude and appreciation for the service rendered to fifty popes and to the Church of Rome for more than 500 years, we dedicate this book to the Pontifical Swiss Guard of the Holy See ”.

“The Vatican Christmas Cookbook” offers recipes such as Veal Chanterelle, Williams Egg Soufflé, Venison in Fig Sauce and desserts like Cheesecake David, Plum and Gingerbread Parfait and Maple Cream Pie.

The book incorporates details on the history of Christmas, Advent, and the Papal Guard, which began in 1503 after Pope Julius II determined that the Vatican was in desperate need of military force to protect it from European conflicts. It also offers traditional Christmas and Advent prayers.

“The Vatican Christmas Cookbook” includes stories about the Swiss Guard tradition of Christmas and recalls the Christmases observed by popes of past centuries.

Swiss Guard Felix Geisser shares his memories of Christmas 1981, the Christmas that followed a failed assassination attempt on Pope St. John Paul II.

“I had the special honor of serving as the Throne Guard at Midnight Mass. This is the most exalted position on the holiest night of the Christmas period, in the heart of the venerable St. Peter, and so close to the pope, he only moves away, ”recalls Geisser.

“It was the night I witnessed the rebirth of the Holy Father. He was excited by the profound significance of this night and the faithful around him. It was a great joy for me to participate in this beautiful service “.

This cookbook is the sequel to David Geisser's “The Vatican Cookbook”, sponsored by chef Michael Symon and actress Patricia Heaton.

Geisser began his cooking career working in European gourmet restaurants. He gained international recognition at the age of 18 when he wrote a cookbook entitled "Around the World in 80 Plate".

The author spent two years in the Swiss Guard and wrote his third cookbook, “Buon Appetito”. In the introduction to his Christmas cookbook, Geisser said he was thrilled to share his experiences in the Vatican kitchen, the Guard and the Christmas season.

“When my friend, Thomas Kelly, came up with a Christmas sequel to 'The Vatican Cookbook' that we teamed up with many others to create four years ago, I thought it was a wonderful idea,” he said.

“The collection of many new and classic recipes, surrounded by the glories of the Vatican and enhanced by the stories of the Swiss Guard, was worthy of this title. I welcomed the opportunity to take the same concept and infuse it with the Christmas spirit and all the meaning and glory of that special season. It seemed perfect to me. "