Space Tourist Simonyi Bringing Food Prepared By Martha Stewart

We've come a long way from beef paste and Tang. When billionaire 'tourinaut' Charles Simonyi rides into orbit to the International Space Station next month aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket, he'll be bringing gourmet meals with him -- compliments of Martha Stewart, no less.

Space Adventures, the space tourism company sending the software developer into orbit, told Reuters this week Simonyi (right) -- who has been linked romantically to the self-proclaimed domestic diva -- will bring with him quail roasted in Madrian wine; shredded chicken parmentier; and other ritzy foodstuffs most of the ANN staff has never heard of, let alone gnoshed on.

The special menu was prepared by associates of noted French chef-restaurateur Alain Ducasse, and packed into special aluminum containers for the trip. Simonyi will share his meal with the ISS crew, as well as the cosmonauts riding with him aboard the Soyuz.

"I am really looking forward to sharing this dinner with my crewmates on the station," Simonyi said. "Although the food is very good there, it is somewhat basic, and after a couple of weeks, everything starts tasting the same. I am certain a little variation will be surely welcome."

Ms. Stewart plans to be in Kazakhstan to watch Simonyi blast off on his estimated $25 million trip to the ISS.

Incidentally, this isn't the first time astronauts or cosmonauts have been treated to special foods. On a shuttle mission last year, astronauts ate a meal prepared by Emeril Lagasse.

FMI: www.spaceadventures.com, www.charlesinspace.com