Ex-royal chef reveals Christmas meal quirks - from classic menu to odd rules
ok.co.ukDozens of turkeys, hams, cakes, cheeses, mince pies, vintage champagne and fine wines – no corners are cut when the shopping list for the royal Christmas get-together is compiled.
Queen Elizabeth II’s former chef Darren McGrady catered for Christmas at Sandringham frequently in the 80s and 90s. Speaking to OK!
about his time running the kitchen, he reveals. “They’ve always been very traditional, so the royals eat the same things every year.They’re no different to most families in not wanting to mess around with the food at Christmas.” The festive feasting has always begun on Christmas Eve, with the family arriving at Sandringham in time for an afternoon tea of dainty sandwiches and cake.
After the customary exchange of presents, the evening revolves around a formal banquet in the dining room. Assisted by five other chefs, Darren would cater for up to 20 of the senior royals, as well as the children and about 100 staff members. “For the Christmas Eve dinner we’d serve a fish course, salad and then often venison from the Sandringham estate,” he tells us. “Dessert was typically a tarte tatin or chocolate perfection pie, which Queen Elizabeth loved.
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