Are your cooking skills fit for a Queen?
Queen Elizabeth Is Now Hiring a Sous Chef to Work at Buckingham Palace
Updated on Dec. 20, 2022
Queen Elizabeth is once again on the hunt for a sous chef.
According to the Royal Household, the Queen is hiring a sous chef who will be based at Buckingham Palace but will be expected to travel to the Queen’s other residences, Balmoral Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
What’s in the Job Description?
Her Majesty is looking for someone to plan and develop menu items for events.The ad lays out the ideal candidate: “You’re an experienced and qualified Chef with a background in premier catering, looking to take on a new challenge.”
It sounds kind of like a royal caterer! The job listing doesn’t mention exact salary, but it has been reported to be £33,000 annually. That’s about $43,098. Not exactly royal, but as a bonus, the position does come with 33 days of vacation, free meals and accommodations. It’s hard to beat living in a castle.
Before you pack your bags, see what food rules the royal family has to follow.
What Does the Queen Eat?
While the Queen is British, obviously, the posting specifies the chef must also be trained in classic French cuisine.
What might that entail? Lots of butter and cream to be sure. Maybe a slow-cooked beef stew Provencal, or a classic French onion soup topped with a thick layer of melted Swiss cheese, or a vegetable-heavy ratatouille?
We don’t have to speculate, though. Former personal chef to the Queen, Darren McGrady, spilled the beans on Queen Elizabeth’s favorite foods. Tea sandwiches and chocolate mousse might not be surprising, but starting the day with a bowl of Special K is less regal than expected.
If your tastes run more fish and chips than crepes suzette, you’ll want to take a peek at some of the Queen’s favorite food brands. You might be surprised!
British-Style Recipes to Make for the Queen
Apricot SconesPopular served with tea in Victorian days, scones are making a big comeback. Apricots and nuts are stirred into the batter in this recipe I baked for the theme shower. Spread with Devonshire cream, they delighted the bride-to-be and guests.
-Robin Fuhrman, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Mini Rosemary-Roast Beef SandwichesRoast beef sandwiches never last long at a party, especially if you dollop them with mayo, mustard, horseradish and pickled giardiniera relish. —Susan Hein, Burlington, Wisconsin
Fish & Chips with Dipping SauceMy husband and I really like fish and chips, but not all the grease that typically comes along with it. I decided to give the classic dinner a makeover. Turns out the pickle dip is healthier than tartar sauce, and we like it a lot better—who knew? —Michelle Lucas, Cold Spring, Kentucky
Slow-Cooker Shepherd’s PieWe make creamy mashed potatoes and a rich gravy from scratch for this comforting slow-cooker shepherd’s pie. And if you'd rather make your shepherd’s pie in the oven, we have a version for that, too.
Beef Tenderloin with Pomegranate ChutneyWhen I want to show family and friends some culinary love, I roast a tenderloin and serve it with a sweet-tart pomegranate and apple chutney. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut
Best Bread PuddingWant to make the best bread pudding recipe for your friends and family? Ours is easy, decadent and filled with comforting flavors that are sure to please.
Grandmother’s Toad in a HoleI have fond memories of my grandmother’s Yorkshire pudding wrapped around sausages, a puffy dish my kids called The Boat. Slather it with butter and maple syrup. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio
Oven-Fried Fish & ChipsMy baked fish is a shoo-in when you want fish and chips without the frying mess. Dare I say, they're a little upgrade from the English pub classic. Get more of my recipe at cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com. —Reeni Pisano, Wappingers Falls, New York
Cucumber CanapesI always get requests for the recipe for these canapes whenever I serve them. They're delicate finger sandwiches with a creamy herb spread and festive red and green garnishes. —Nadine Whittaker, South Plymouth, Massachusetts
Italian Crumb-Crusted Beef RoastItalian-style panko crumbs and the seasoning give this roast beef a special touch—it's a nice, effortless weeknight meal so you can put your energy into relaxing. —Maria Regakis, Somerville, Massachusetts
Blackout Peach Bread PuddingI bake several times a week so my kids have homemade desserts. We lost power in a storm, so I used the grill to invent “blackout” pudding. —Augustina Zaccardi, Eastchester, New York
Mashed Peppery TurnipsI created this recipe in an attempt to use up a great turnip harvest from our garden, and to lighten up one of our favorite dishes. By using turnips in place of potatoes, I made a low-carb side. Now we rarely serve plain mashed potatoes! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Spice-Rubbed Lamb ChopsOne of my absolute favorite meals to eat anytime is lamb chops! My girls, Hanna and Amani, love watching me make my delicious chops, but they love eating them even more. —Nareman Dietz, Beverly Hills, Michigan
Crispy Fish & ChipsA British pub classic turns crown jewel when you add horseradish, panko and Worcestershire. You can also try it with a white fish like cod or haddock. —Linda Schend, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Easy Cornish PastiesThese are a bit different from traditional pasties, but the ingredients are probably already in your kitchen. My husband really enjoys these, so I like to double the recipe and freeze the extras to have on hand for a quick meal. —Judy Marsden, Ontario, California
Lamb Pastry BundlesThis recipe was such a hit that my family has now incorporated the Mediterranean flavors into several dishes! —Tess Konter, New York, New York
Cherry-Chip Oat SconesMy family loves scones and anything with oatmeal. I started with my basic scone recipe and added oat flour to increase the oat taste and texture, then included special ingredients you can find in every bite. Look for add-ins that harmonize with the mellow flavor of oats. —Amy Brnger, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Oven Parmesan CrispsMy husband and I avoid fried foods, but potatoes are part of our menu almost every day. These delectable sliced potatoes get nice and crispy and give our meals a likable lift. —Mary Lou Kelly, Scottdale, Pennsylvania
Onion Yorkshire PuddingsThis easy recipe is a cross between traditional Yorkshire pudding and popovers. It makes a perfect complement to prime rib. We also like it with beef stew and steak. Make more than you need, because everyone loves it. —Emily Chaney, Blue Hill, Maine
Crisp Finger SandwichI love snacking on this delicious sandwich with its crisp English cucumber. I have also made batches of these for parties and showers using a small loaf of whole wheat or sourdough bread. —Missi Selin, Bothell, Washington
Bread Pudding with Bourbon SauceThis bread pudding with bourbon sauce recipe is deliciously decadent and perfect for a chilly day... or any day! A slow cooker does most of the work, so just sit back and relax for a while until it's time to dig in. Enjoy!
Homemade Potato CrispsOnce you've fried your own homemade potato chips, there's no going back to store-bought bags. Golden brown and crunchy, they're a tastier, crispier, more customizable way to snack.
Double-Dipped Shortbread CookiesMy mom and her friend did a lot of cookie swaps together. They were always finding new recipes to share, including this one. There's something about a dipped cookie that makes it seem so special, so we usually save these for the holidays. —Ginger King, Big Bear Lake, California
Triple Citrus SconesI love the bright and buttery flavor of these tender scones with glaze that soaks in. Serve them with a yummy jam, or try them as a base for strawberry shortcake. —Angela LeMoine, Howell, New Jersey
Shortbread CookieThis shortbread cookie recipe is an easy one to memorize and yields simple, buttery treats to enjoy with coffee, alongside tea or after a big dinner that didn't leave much room for dessert.
Dark Chocolate Croissant Bread PuddingCroissants make an incredible base for this rich, chocolaty bread pudding. I prefer dark chocolate, but semisweet or white chocolate work too. Garnish with your favorite nuts. —Jennifer Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Roast Beef Finger SandwichesThese simple sandwiches are ideal for a bridal shower, brunch or high tea, when the menu is a bit more substantial. The mustard adds a nice kick without being overly spicy. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
Lamb BakeThis dish is hearty and perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening. The aroma is almost as delightful as the dish itself. —Frank Grady, Fort Kent, Maine
Mini Treacle TartsI searched for the perfect butter tart for ages. After many attempts, I discovered this favorite that begs for a scoop of ice cream on top. —Susan Kieboam, Streetsboro, Ohio
