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Unlike King Charles, who is hugely passionate about organic food and sustainable farming, Queen Elizabeth wasn’t as interested in culinary pursuits. According to former royal chef Darren McGrady, it was Prince Philip who shared his son’s interest in the royal kitchens.
When asked if he was surprised that Charles was so enthusiastic about mushroom foraging and getting involved with the food, McGrady told Smooth Spins Casino, “Oh, absolutely not! I was The Queen’s chef for 11 years, and it was definitely different cooking for The Queen, particularly at Balmoral, where everything was self-contained and we had all these incredible ingredients available to us.”
He added that Prince Philip was very “interested” in what was being made, while Queen Elizabeth was more hands off.
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Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip had different philosophies about food, McGrady said.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
“Prince Philip was the master there, and he’d come down and ask, ‘What have we got in the garden? What’s ready? Have we got any squash? Has any venison come through from the gamekeeper?’ He was always interested in what food was available. The Queen, not so much,” McGrady said.
He added that the late Queen “would just say, ‘Whatever we serve.’ She wasn’t a real foodie.”
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The former royal chef previously told Marie Claire that Queen Elizabeth preferred “nursery foods” rather than elaborate meals. “They didn’t call them comfort foods, they were nursery foods. Foods that were served in the nursery, things they had growing up.”
“One of the late Queen’s favorite sandwiches at afternoon tea were Jam Pennies. They were just bread and butter with jam, cut into circles the size of an old English penny. Even at 97, she was still eating them every now and again.”
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