The Last 1960 Meal in the Cyprus Government House

The Last 1960 Meal in the Cyprus Government House

By Sermen Erdogan, Melbourne, Australia

With gratitude to Margaret Archibald and in memory of Robert Smith Archibald, Head Chef to Sir Hugh Foot

Introduction

This article commemorates a significant moment in Cypriot and British colonial history: the farewell dinner at Cyprus Government House on 6 July 1960, just weeks before the island gained independence from British rule. I extend special thanks to Margaret Archibald, my childhood friend from Wales, who generously provided access to her family’s private archive—including a letter dated 2 December 1959, confirming her father Robert S. Archibald as Head Chef to the final British Governor, Sir Hugh Foot.

Historical Backdrop

Cyprus gained independence on 16 August 1960, following the Zurich–London Agreements. The new Republic of Cyprus was envisioned as a power-sharing state between Greek and Turkish Cypriots, underwritten by guarantees from the United Kingdom, Greece, and Turkey.

The Government House Dinner

The Government House, situated in Nicosia, had long been the administrative and symbolic seat of British governance on the island. For one final time, it welcomed diplomats, military officers, community leaders, and future statesmen to dine together under its colonnaded ceilings. Sir Hugh Foot, then Governor of Cyprus, served as host. The meal was prepared under the direction of Robert S. Archibald, whose culinary leadership ensured the final banquet under British rule would be remembered for its taste, precision, and care.

Menu – 6 July 1960

Menu and invitees list in the booklet for 6th July 1960

– Chilled Consommé Docteur

– Saumo A L’ archeveque

– CanardConsulaire CrouquettesPomes de TerrePettits Pois

– Bombe Ministerrielle

– Bone Bouche Govuverneur

– Cafe

– Cyprus Citrus Sorbet

– English Stilton with Local Figs

– Coffee and Cognac

Guests in Attendance

His Excellency Sir Hugh Foot (Governor of Cyprus)	Mr. I. M. G. Williams
Archbishop Makarios	Mr. M. N. Munir
Dr. Fazil Küçük	Mr. R. L. Vejjeri
Mr. Rauf Raif Denktaş	Mr. H. G. Darwin
Mr. Osman Örek	Mr. G. H. Green
Major O. F. Müftüzade	Mr. A. Aruoso
Mr. Glafkos. J. Kleridis	Mr. A. K. Robertson
Mr. A. G. Kontos	Mr. I. Porter
Mr. A. G. Georgiadis- Mr. G. S. Sabidis	Mr. J. Amiri
Mr. T. H. Pashardis	Hisbeth Kuhn
Mr. A. J. Pieridas	A. D. DeCamp
Mr. G. Christophoulos	Mr. F. Plama
Mr. R. Z. Tatar	Sir Paget Burke
Dr. Arthur Karris	Wing Commander D. E. Longleyıo
Mr. V. Turel	Air Vice-Marshal C. T. Weir
Mr. H. Ali Riza	Brigadier C. H. Sparrow
Mr. C. G. Tornaredis	Major D. B. Fox
Mr. A. H. S. Megaw	Mr Dj. Müftizade

A Moment Suspended in Time

Margaret Archibald recounts her father’s quiet pride on that day:
“He said the kitchen ran like a clock—silent, focused. He was honoured to serve one last time, but he knew it was the end of an era.”

Aftermath

Only weeks later, on 16 August 1960, the Republic of Cyprus was officially declared. But as history would show, the peace was temporary. Intercommunal violence broke out in 1963. The island was divided in 1974. A shared republic became two separate realities. The dinner on 6 July 1960 remains one of the last formal occasions where Cypriots and Britons sat together, not as adversaries or negotiators—but as guests.