A former royal chef has criticised King Charles for his latest decision to involve French chef Raymond Blanc in Tuesday’s lavish state banquet at Windsor Castle. Guests at the glittering event on Tuesday evening were treated to a delicious three-course meal, with the first course and dessert created by chef Blanc, who is an ambassador for the King’s Foundation.
His creations included a selection of tender summer vegetables from the gardens of Le Manoir with sage, raw tomato and extra virgin olive oil dressing for the starter and iced blackcurrant parfait on a blackcurrant-soaked sponge with elderflower jelly for dessert. But former royal chef Darren McGrady was unimpressed with the King’s decision and said it was a “huge slap in the face to the palace royal chefs”.
Mr McGrady worked for the Royal Family from 1982 until 1997 and cooked food for most major royal figures, including Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Princess Diana, Prince William, and Prince Harry.
Chef Blanc, who runs Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, let Mark Flanagan, the Royal Household’s head chef, be in charge of the main course menu for the banquet.
Mr McGrady told the Daily Mail: “I get that Raymond Blanc is one of the best chefs in the world, and I get that he is a King’s Foundation ambassador, and I get that ‘the collaboration is in the spirit of Entente Cordiale’ but it’s a huge slap in the face to the palace royal chefs.”
He added: “For sure, Macron will not be bringing in British chefs for a King Charles state visit to France.”
Mr Blanc said of working with Mr Flanagan: “I wanted to include Mark. He’s a royal chef who’s cooked for the King for many years, plus he’s a great friend – it’s all part of respect.
“I could have done everything if I’d insisted, but Mark did a beautiful course – Rhug Estate chicken with British produce, with a beautiful tarragon sauce, a French way. It was a splendid occasion.”
He said of Mr McGrady’s swipe:”‘We all have an opinion – and I’ve got a different one. I like to bring people together.”
Buckingham Palace has been contacted for comment.
The castle’s staff began constructing the mahogany table in St George’s Hall last Wednesday, and it was set with the elaborate silver gilt Grand Service.
The hall’s gothic style ceiling with impressive oak beam roof was studded with the coats of arms of every single Knight of the Garter since the order was founded in 1348.
