Plutarch states that the cooks of queen Cleopatra VII had to have different sets of dishes always prepared in case her lover Mark Antony made a visit. Plutarch claims that the source of the rumor was a friend of his grandfather, who was allowed to visit the cuisine of the queen in the palace in Alexandria.
The man saw eight boars in various stages of roasting on a spit. He initially suspected that such a quantity of food is intended for a great occasion. It turned out, however, that the queen awaits only ten guests, including Antony. Not knowing when the lover would call for the dinner, the cook was constantly preparing for them new same dish, to give the guests perfectly roasted meat at the time of the call.
