Darren was personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, Diana, Princess of Wales and Princes’ William and Harry for fifteen years and has cooked for Presidents’ Ford, Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush. He is now a chef, author, culinary consultant, event planner and public speaker living in Dallas, Texas. His first cookbook titled ‘Eating Royally; recipes and remembrances from a palace kitchen’ is now in sixth print with all of his advance and royalties donated to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation.
He has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, several times on CNN’s Larry King Live, the Fox News Channel, BBC, CBC, MSNBC and Sky Television. On Fox and Friends covering the Princess Diana Memorial. CNN covering the Royal Wedding and cooked on the Today Show and CBS Early Show in New York.
For the menu I selected a lobster dish that I prepared for the Queen Mum's 79th birthday celebration. I was sous chef at the three starred Michelin restaurant, Le Gavroche, and the chef/patron Albert Roux asked me to propose three lobster recipes for a special take-out order. Chef Albert selected the lobster dish I prepared for the show. The dish was finished off with a generous shaving of black truffles. The next day the palace sent over the Bentley limo. We place the take out in silver service, put it in the "boot" of the Bentley and off it went to the palace just blocks away.
Chef Darren suggested the Gaelic Steak for the main dish. This is Queen Elizabeth's favorite filet steak and has a very English ingredient that gives character to the sauce, Marmite. Chef Darren seasons his presentation with stories of palace culinary intrigue and the logistics of serving royalty. For the dessert, or as the English call it, pudding, we prepared a summer pudding. Chef Darren related how the queen on occasion would harvest her own berries at the Balmoral Castle and "suggest" to the chef to prepare this dish.
Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852, having been first leased in 1848.
The original castle was considered too small for the needs of the Royal Family and under the supervision of Prince Albert a new building was designed.
The new castle was built from granite from the neighboring quarries of Glen Gelder, which produced a near white stone.
Put on your apron, grab your food processor, put on your crown and hang on to your whisk. Learn to eat like royalty for a pittance. I'll provide the recipes, the rest is up to you.
Tastefully,
Michael's Catering specializes in modern California-French, European and American cuisine. Consider our catering service for your next dinner party, wine reception or banquet.
All recipes copyright 2015 Michael Hutchings, All Rights Reserved
Chef Darren McGrady's Recipes used with Permission
Food and People Photo Credits William Conlin YTS Video Productions
Special thanks to Craig Case and YTS Video Productions
