According to The Royal Household website, Buckingham Palace is hiring what it describes as no ordinary Demi Chef de Partie role:
“In our state-of-the-art kitchens, you'll prepare classical and contemporary menus for a wide range of events, learning essential skills that will provide stepping stones for a great career… Every day will be different. You'll prepare receptions and state dinners, as well as staff lunches.”
The full-time role comes with a £21,150 (AU$38,000) package, with the option to live in-house at Buckingham Palace (with a salary adjustment). Now that’s a pay cut we’d be willing to take for the chance to bump into the Queen and co in the hallway.
So, what could you expect to be cooking if you do land the gig? According to Darren McGrady, a former chef in the royal kitchens, who was interviewed in The Telegraph, the Queen is “not a foodie. She eats to live, unlike Prince Philip who loves to eat and would stand and talk food all day.”
“When she dines on her own,” he added, “she’s very disciplined. No starch is the rule.”
A typical day on the Queen’s plate begins with a pre-breakfast snack of tea and biscuits, followed by breakfast of cereal and fruit. On special occasions she’s partial to scrambled eggs with smoked salmon and truffle.
Before lunch, the Queen enjoys a gin and Dubonnet with lemon and ice (the pre-lunch tipple is a habit we 100% support). Lunch itself is generally light, such as grilled fish or chicken with vegetables.
She’s probably saving herself for her daily afternoon tea, which includes biscuits, scones and cakes, and finger sandwiches of cucumber, smoked salmon or ham and mustard (with the crusts removed).
Dinner is fillets of beef, venison, pheasant or salmon, followed by fresh strawberries or white peaches, and chocolate desserts. On Sundays, it’s a classic roast beef, served well-done. The Queen finishes the day in a properly royal fashion with a glass of Champagne.
Applications for the Demi Chef de Partie role close on May 24, so best start perfecting your crustless sandwiches!
This article originally appeared on Foodiful.
