For many Britons, the Sunday roast represents a cherished weekly tradition, complete with heated debates about proper accompaniments. Now, the royal family's personal preferences have been revealed, offering a surprising glimpse into how the monarchy enjoys this classic British meal.
The Royal Roast Rules
According to Darren McGrady, who served as a chef for the royal family for an impressive 15 years, the Windsors maintain surprisingly simple tastes when it comes to their Sunday dinner. During a recent interview with Heart Bingo Online, McGrady explained that the royals stick to "the traditional bits" without extravagant additions.
Contrary to what one might expect from a monarch, the Queen never requested fancy variations like Yorkshire pudding with foie gras. McGrady emphasised that Her Majesty took greater pleasure in serving vegetables grown in the palace gardens than in exotic ingredients.
Perfection in Every Detail
While the components remain traditional, the execution reaches perfection standards. McGrady reveals that the mashed potatoes contained no lumps or bits of skin, achieving the perfect balance of butter and cream through meticulous preparation.
The Yorkshire puddings presented their own challenge, growing so enormous that "we had to take the oven door off to get them out" according to the former palace chef. However, these giant Yorkshires came with one strict rule: they were only served with beef and never paired with other meats.
Seasonal and Estate-Grown Produce
The royal kitchen consistently prioritised fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced directly from their estates. When carrots were ready for harvesting, they featured on the menu, while apples from Highgrove became homemade applesauce.
For condiments, the family preferred horseradish cream with roast beef rather than traditional horseradish. McGrady explained this lighter, creamier version was achieved by whipping cream and incorporating horseradish in a 2:1 ratio - two parts horseradish to one part whipped cream.
The revelation shows that while the royal family enjoys essentially the same Sunday roast as most Britons, their version represents the pinnacle of traditional preparation using the finest estate-grown ingredients.
