An annual tradition in Tennis Paradise, in conjunction with quintessential Beverly Hills-style restaurant Porta Via in Stadium 1: give the defending champions the keys to the kitchen.

Last year Iga Swiatek (pierogies) and Carlos Alcaraz (bocadillo) did the honors, collaborating on dishes that were then served at the restaurant during the tournament.

On Wednesday, as the first day of main draw play kicked off in Tennis Paradise, it was Jack Draper and Mirra Andreeva’s turn to host the annual Champions Luncheon.

The pair held court as patrons gathered, filling the tables of the elegant space that offers a pristine view of Stadium 1 through large-paned windows, and spoke about their culinary creations - and their memories of raising the trophy last year.

“I feel amazing,” Draper said. “To come back here after a long year, to remember how big this tournament is, seeing the cars in the carpark coming through. At this tournament the attendance is always incredible, always from the first days of practice, people coming to watch – there’s such an amazing happy buzz around the tournament.

"To come back here as champion, it just reminds me of how special this place is to me. Hopefully I can have a great run this year.”

Draper, who defeated Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune en route to his biggest career title last year in the California desert, is still fueled by the memories of his breakout performance.

“Very special, playing out there on a court where I have watched the greats play, since I was a kid. Those wins, they were really big for me, beating Carlos, that was a match that allowed me to break into the world’s Top 10 for the first time. I can remember very clearly the emotions that were going through my head at the time. They were ones of real joy.”

Andreeva also reflected on her breakthrough run in Tennis Paradise last year.

“I have a lot of great memories from last year, playing a lot of long and great matches,” she said. “I’m just going to do my best to try to create new memories this year, and hopefully they will be as great as the memories from last year.”

“I like this atmosphere, I like the people, they always fill the stadiums from the very first day. It’s just very special to be here, and I think a lot of players enjoy their time here.”

Draper admits he has trouble resisting a good steak, but he did express some trepidation about choosing his meal — grass fed filet mignon with parmigiano truffle fries and green peppercorn sauce — with practice coming up in less than an hour.

“I went for steak and chips,” he said, “but I’m not feeling too great about the choice now – we’re practicing in about an hour.”

Draper remembers choosing his dish during a time when he was deep in a training block.

Asked what dish he would love if he wasn’t training, he doubled down on his choice.

“If I wasn’t training? Steak and chips,” he said without hesitation.

Andreeva added a sweet touch to Draper’s savory selection, collaborating on a version of her favorite versatile breakfast staple, Syrniki (farmer cheese pancakes with vanilla-honey mascarpone, lemon zest and fresh berry compote).

The 18-year-old says she typically eats a simplified version of the dish, preferably cooked by her mother. It’s a meal she grew up with and longs for while traveling on tour.

“It’s kind of a dessert but you can also eat it as a main dish as well,” she said. “For breakfast for example. I selected this dish in the morning, so maybe that’s why I picked it.

“It’s a traditional dish that my mom cooks a lot of the time. It’s been a long time, that’s why I selected it.”

Andreeva, who defeated Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka en route to her title last year, says she likes to eat her favorite dish with sour cream and jam.

“It’s a good mix,” she said.