Quick Answer
For the most part, members of the British royal family do not prepare their own meals on a regular basis. The royal households employ world-class chefs and kitchen staff who handle all meal preparation and service for the royal residences. However, some royals have been known to enjoy cooking as a hobby or interest and may prepare select dishes themselves on occasion.
Do the Queen and royal family cook for themselves?
Queen Elizabeth II and other senior royal family members do not typically cook for themselves or prepare their own meals on a daily basis. Instead, the royal kitchens are staffed by professional chefs, sous chefs, and other culinary personnel who handle all menu planning, grocery shopping, food preparation, and meal service for the royal residences.
The Master of the Household department oversees the menus and dining arrangements for the Queen and royal family. The royal chefs meticulously plan well-balanced, nutritious meals and cater to any preferences, dietary needs, or restrictions of the royals. The Queen especially is served luxurious, finely prepared cuisine using the finest seasonal ingredients.
While royal chefs take care of day-to-day meals, the Queen and other royals may occasionally participate in preparing dishes as a recreational activity or public relations opportunity. However, cooking is not a regular responsibility or necessity for members of the royal family, who have staff to handle such domestic duties.
Do royal family members ever cook themselves?
While they do not routinely prepare their own meals, some members of the royal family have been known to enjoy cooking as a hobby or interest. Here are a few examples:
– Prince Philip was said to enjoy outdoor grilling and would sometimes cook sausages and other dishes on the barbecue at family gatherings.
– Prince Charles has expressed an interest in organic farming and sustainable foods. He sometimes visits the royal estates’s farms and dairies where he may sample artisanal cheeses, baked goods and other farmhouse fare.
– Kate Middleton is known to enjoy baking and has been photographed making dishes from scratch with children during public appearances. She sometimes bakes birthday cakes for her family as well.
– Meghan Markle is also reported to enjoy cooking. She once ran a lifestyle blog that featured some of her own recipes.
– Queen Elizabeth II learned basic cooking and nutrition skills as a junior member of the armed forces during World War II.
So while they do not have to cook for themselves, some royals simply enjoy being hands-on in the kitchen as a relaxing pastime. Preparing the occasional meal allows them to flex their culinary creativity.
What’s a typical royal family meal like?
Meals for the royal family prepared by the palace chefs are quite elaborate, with four or more courses consisting of refined dishes made from the finest ingredients. Here are some typical elements of a royal family dinner:
Starter Course
– Consommé
– Smoked salmon
– Shellfish such as prawns or crab
Main Course
– Filet of beef or venison
– Pheasant, quail, or other game birds
– Seafood such as halibut or trout
– Vegetables such as asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or carrots
Dessert Course
– Fruits such as strawberries or pineapple
– Cakes, tarts, or puddings
– Cheeseboard
Final Course
– Tea, coffee, or liqueurs may be offered
Royal dinners are finely crafted events often accompanied by the best china dinnerware, crystal glassware, and immaculate table linens. The queen favors seasonal British produce and prefers simple, unfussy cooking methods for dishes. Presentation is paramount.
Who are the royal family’s private chefs?
The royal family employs a staff of highly accomplished, professionally trained chefs who prepare menus and meals at the various royal residences. Here are a few of the queen’s top chefs:
Mark Flanagan
As head chef at Buckingham Palace, he oversees all menus and food preparation at the queen’s official London residence. He began his royal career as a junior sous chef and worked his way up over 20 years.
Stefan Pappert
The German-born chef took the top kitchen job at Highgrove House, Prince Charles’s private country estate. He incorporates local seasonal produce and artisan ingredients into refined dishes.
Satoshi Kadokura
A seasoned chef with experience at high-end restaurants, he became the private chef for Prince and Princess Michael of Kent at their Kensington Palace apartment in 2018.
Darren O’Neill
After 10 years working for Queen Elizabeth II, he transferred to Buckingham Palace to become personal chef to Prince William and Kate Middleton before they became full-time royals.
In addition to permanent chefs, the royal kitchens also bring in guest chefs on occasion, including well-known British restaurateurs and chefs like Jamie Oliver and Mary Berry.
Do royal chefs have special training?
Yes, the chefs who work for the royal family undergo specialized training above and beyond professional culinary school or on-the-job experience in restaurants. Here is some of the advanced preparation required to become a chef in a royal household:
– Rigorous background checks for security clearance
– Extensive training in nutrition, sanitation, and food storage
– Instruction in preparing strictly kosher and halal cuisine
– Fluency in personal preferences, allergies, and dietary requirements of the royals
– Knowledge of how to source the finest seasonal ingredients from royal estates
– Finesse at using decorating tips, shaping molds, and sculpting ice carvings
– Endurance training to withstand long hours on their feet
– Etiquette training to uphold standards befitting a royal household
– Mastery of both classical French cuisine and updated modern cooking methods
The chefs are drilled in how to deliver perfection every time to uphold the highest culinary standards for state banquets, diplomatic functions, family meals, and other royal dining occasions.
What types of foods do the royal family avoid?
The royal family generally eats a healthy, balanced diet under the advice of nutritionists and royal physicians. To maintain optimal health and longevity, here are some of the main types of foods the Queen and other royals typically avoid:
Raw shellfish
Raw oysters, clams, and other uncooked shellfish pose a high risk of foodborne illness. The royals avoid eating these to reduce their chances of infection.
Rare meats
Meats including beef, lamb, and veal are cooked at least medium or well done to kill any bacteria or parasites present. Rare or raw meats are off the menu.
Unpasteurized milk
Dairy products consumed are only from pasteurized milk to protect against dangerous germs and infections.
Unpure water
The royals only drink water that has been boiled, bottled, or filtered to remove contaminants. Tap water or natural sources that could contain parasites or microbes are avoided.
Foods prone to spoilage
Items like eggs, turkey, shellfish, mushrooms, and unrefrigerated prepared foods must be impeccably fresh, or they are thrown out.
By steering clear of high-risk ingredients, the royal chefs ensure proper food safety standards are met at all times.
What are some of the Queen’s favorite meals and snacks?
Queen Elizabeth II reportedly enjoys simple, unfussy British cuisine prepared with top-quality ingredients. Here are a few of her go-to favorites both savory and sweet:
Gleneagles Pâté
A smooth chicken liver paté served with Melba toast that was specially created for the Queen at the Gleneagles Hotel.
Fish en Papillote
Fresh whitefish like halibut or cod baked in parchment paper with vegetables.
Spicy Indian Chicken Masala
A curry dish scented with ginger, cumin, cinnamon, and cardamom that the Queen favors when traveling.
Scones with Jam and Clotted Cream
A classic British afternoon tea accompaniment that the Queen enjoys regularly.
Chocolate Biscuit Cake
A royal favorite dessert made with rich dark chocolate and broken tea biscuits.
Garden Strawberries
Sweet ripe strawberries topped simply with Devon cream are one of the Queen’s most beloved treats.
The Queen has simple tastes but appreciates finely prepared, attractively presented dishes made from the finest ingredients, especially seasonal British produce.
What is Afternoon Tea and does the Queen host it?
Afternoon Tea is a longstanding British tradition of taking tea, finger sandwiches, scones, and sweets in the late afternoon. Queen Elizabeth II carries on this custom and frequently hosts elegant Afternoon Teas for guests at Buckingham Palace or other royal residences.
A royal Afternoon Tea typically includes:
– A selection of fine looseleaf teas served in porcelain teapots with milk, lemon, sugar
– Dainty finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg salad, smoked salmon
– Warm freshly baked scones served with clotted cream and fruit preserves
– An assortment of delicate pastries such as fruit tarts, macarons, or mini cakes
Etiquette dictates holding teacups properly with pinky fingers extended and sampling a bit of everything without overindulging. Afternoon Tea allows the Queen to entertain guests in a refined yet relaxed setting while upholding an enduring English tradition.
Do the younger royals have different tastes than the Queen?
While they appreciate the time-honored dishes favored by Queen Elizabeth II, the younger generation of royals tend to have more modern, globally influenced tastes reflective of their upbringings in a more diverse, multicultural Britain.
Prince William and Kate Middleton enjoy trendy poke bowls, ordering takeaway from their favorite London poke spot. William is also fond of spicy curry dishes that he orders in. And they appreciate dishes highlighting local seasonal British produce.
Meghan Markle has been known to make fresh, healthy California-style meals with produce from her garden including zucchini pasta, salad, and avocado toast.
Of course, all royal family members have personal chefs to satisfy any craving. But the younger royals tend to appreciate lighter, internationally-influenced fare in line with current food trends. Their preferences expand the horizons of the traditional royal repertoire.
Conclusion
While Queen Elizabeth II and senior royals indulge in exquisite meals prepared by world-class chefs daily, a few enjoy casual home cooking as a hobby. Some younger royals like William, Kate, and Meghan have more modern tastes. But certain traditions remain, notably the Queen’s ritual afternoon tea. So the question “Do royals cook for themselves?” has no simple answer. Practicalities require staff for daily meals, but some royals find joy in creating their own dishes on occasion, and all have developed preferences reflective of their generations. With private chefs at hand, members of Britain’s royal family can enjoy the best of both worlds.