We may not all be royalty, but we can all eat like we do. And according to former royal chef Darren McGrady, this is exactly what the royals eat at Christmas (meaning they have 359 days to prepare for next year’s feast!).
according to hello, McGrady, who worked for the late Majesty and Princess Diana and prepared seven royal Christmas dinners, calls Christmas Day with the royal family at Sandringham a “modern Downton Abbey.” Beginning with breakfast, the family heads to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. And when he returned, lunch “was the same meal every year,” he says.
“When it comes to festivals, they’re actually boring,” says McGrady. “They didn’t make ham or anything like that, they just ate the traditional turkey. Three turkeys for the Queen and her family in the royal dining room, one for her in the nursery and one for her 100.” I ate turkey for so many staff members that we all ate her lunch for Christmas.”
McGrady said the Queen and senior members of the royal family ate in the main room, while younger children ate in the crèche under the care of babysitters.
“My kids were always eating at daycare until they were old enough to behave properly at the table,” he says. “So never once did the Queen put a high chair on the table and little babies squealed and threw food at them. It was Victorian. The child’s place was the nursery school.” [a] A nanny takes care of it. ”
In addition to Christmas turkey, families enjoy “various fillings such as sage and onions, chestnuts, and traditional sides such as roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, parsnips and Brussels sprouts.”
for dessert? Christmas pudding of course.
“The puddings were made in the pudding basin, garnished with holly and drizzled with brandy, then the palace stewards would light the flames and bring them to the royal dining room,” McGrady says. ”
After lunch, the family strolled through Sandringham and returned home to watch the Queen’s Speech (this year’s King’s Speech broadcast at 3pm local time).
“Shortly after that, they went out for afternoon tea,” says McGrady. “Chocolate birthday cakes, scones, mince pies, different types of sandwiches and a twist on Christmas cakes have always been chocolate yule logs. Prince Harry makes another little cake for Zara’s nursery. [Phillips]peter [Phillips], Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. It was always fruit cake. Royal icing, marzipan and traditional fruit cake. ”
Are you hungry yet? Well, the day is not over! The last meal of the day is her evening buffet. McGrady describes it as “more elaborate” than lunch. It was also the only time the head chef entered his dining room to carve meat.
“The buffet was when they brought out the whole spread,” he says. “When I was there Harrods always served them a whole foie gras. They would have had a whole Stilton cheese. It made this sumptuous spread for crackers. forbidden to cook From all the royal courts when he ascended the throne. )
McGrady said, “After all the meat was carved, the Queen asked the stewards to pour the head chef a drink, got the whiskey, and they toasted him and said thank you. I used to say ‘all year round. ”
McGrady worked for Diana until her death in 1997, saying, “I always enjoyed when Princess Diana was there. She would come into the kitchen and love the crepe soufflé dessert. I loved it.” I always had it on the menu.I knew it was her favorite.When the tray came back I always put it in the warmer because she would fall over. She said, “I love this pudding so much, I’m too scared to ask for a few seconds in front of the Queen!”
