I was thrilled today when I heard the announcement that Princes William and Harry were planning a concert to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their mothers’ death. This event will help silence critics who say the boys haven’t done enough to keep the princess’ memory alive and, more importantly raise a huge amount for charity in the princess’ name.

I know how much Princess Diana loved her music and I think back to happy times preparing meals in the Kensington Palace kitchens listening to the princess’ CD’s (many from the performers due to appear at the concert) blaring out across the palace courtyard.

Good to see Andrew Lloyd Webber involved, I can’t even begin to remember how many times we chatted about his musicals as she lunched in the kitchen. And of course Elton. There won’t be a dry eye in the house when he steps up to the piano and performs candle in the wind.

Well done William and Harry ! The princess would be so proud of ‘her boys’ For more information on the event and for tickets, go to Concert for Diana

… the name given to the 2 year UK investigation into the death of Princess Diana. Findings of the inquiry are due to be released on December 15th but already, leaks from the report have been surfacing in the media. Laid to rest are the rumors that the princess was pregnant or about to be married to a Muslim, thus debunking Mohammed Fayeds reason that the British intelligence killed them both.

Most disturbing is the revelation or accusation that American intelligence agencies were bugging Princess Diana's telephone. Worse, if true, that they have hundreds of secret files on her that would cause quote ‘exceptionally grave damage to national security’ if released. Add to this that the driver Henri Paul was in the pocket of the French intelligence and suddenly after nine years of answering peoples questions to me with “ yes, I honestly believe it was an accident”… I am now starting to wonder.

I DO know the princess was absolutely convinced that her phones were being tapped, both at Kensington Palace and her cell phone. ‘There is always a quiet ‘click’ at the end of my conversation” she observed. She would nervously joke about it over lunch in the kitchen “someone just after a bit of juicy gossip Darren” she would say. But I could tell it bothered her. More than once she came into the kitchen with yet another new cell phone and instruction manual asking “can you read this and tell me how it works Darren, I am hopeless with these things”

The report says that quote ‘any hired assassins would have had to know the intricate details of the couple's movements, but the Mercedes car in which she died was a last-minute substitute to try to trick the gathering photographers and the route was random.’ I DO know also that the princess was a master of the bait and switch of cars to escape the waiting media. As her BMW pulled out of the front gate of her Kensington Palace home I have been not far behind in my own car – with the princess laid on the back seat. She would often revel in the one-upmanship over the photographers.

Was she killed or was it an accident ? I don’t think we will ever know for sure. Anyone hoping that the findings of this report will quash all conspiracy theories is very much mistaken though. I still WANT to believe it was a tragic accident and that no one planned to take the life of a lady loved by so many and mother to two young boys. One of whom, it seems, is about to make the most important decision of his life very soon and would have appreciated the advice of his mother.

Last Monday the Duchess of York came to Dallas and I caught up with her on the Good Morning Texas set. She was promoting World Children’s Day at McDonalds, which raises money for Ronald McDonald House Charities, and visiting the Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth. I was on the show rustling up a yogurt Brulee (recipe on the recipes page).

“Of course I remember Darren” she told the presenter when asked. “We’ve been through a lot” she went on, looking at me. I guess she was referring to the death of Princess Diana and maybe some of the fifteen years our paths would cross during my royal service. It wasn’t until she had left that I realized, Indeed we had. Marriages – hers and also Prince Edwards. Divorces - hers, Princess Diana’s and Princess Anne’s and of course deaths – Princess Diana and the Queen Mother.

Everyone on set remarked on how pleasant she was and easy to talk too. She looked so well too. There is no question that the Princess was my favorite, but you can’t help but admire the way the Duch has knuckled down and turned her life around for the better. Full marks to her for the charity work she is doing here across the pond and in representing our royal family so admirably. I hope our paths get to cross again - in the not too distant future.

Anyone that collects cookbooks or is in need of a Christmas gift for the cook in the house should look no further than this one. My good friend Richard Florczak has just published his new cook book titled ‘ The Private Chef ’ and I have just finished reading it. It is geared to the home cook and the photos are incredible. The recipes are exciting and easy to follow too with lots of tips along the way.

Richard is currently chef to Mel Gibson out in California but he and I met when he was with his last employer Tom Cruise in London. Tom was in town filming Mission Impossible and most nights he would finish cooking for Tom and Nicole just as I finished cooking for Princess Diana and we would meet up for a drink on the way home from work.

As the publishers say in the blurb on his web site… Cookbooks written by restaurant chefs don’t always lend themselves well to cooking at home. Typically, restaurant chefs have groceries and supplies delivered right to their door, and a full staff to support them. But The Private Chef is different. Richard Florczak,the private chef to Mel Gibson, shows you how to prepare and present delicious five star creations from items purchased at your local grocery stores.

Go to his web site today (www.theprivatechef.com) and order just in time for Christmas. Oh, and tell him I sent you, I might get a free dinner on him next time I am in LA (laughs).

Only two cooking classes left to do in 2006. Wow! Where did this year go? Thanks to every one of you that attended the classes around the country. It’s always nice to see people coming back for more, supporting me and helping make the classes sell out. I really appreciate that. We had a lot of requests to do another Valentines Dinner class at the Market Street stores after the success of the last ones, so have managed to squeeze in two classes on the February 10th and 11th weekend. These are so popular and will sell out so quickly that they won’t make the brochure. This is a heads up to those of you that visit the web site to call and make reservations for you and your partner.

I finish each of my classes with the words “Hopefully you have found at least one dish you really like and will go home and make for your family and friends” and “ I couldn’t have done this class without the help and support of the cooking school staff and volunteers”. Both comments I mean sincerely and to every one of you I wish you a very Happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing you all in 2007.

2007 classes…

Saturday January 13
Market Street, Colleyville

Saturday January 20
Market Street, McKinney

Saturday January 27
Central Market, Houston

Sunday January 28
Central Market, Houston

Saturday February 3
Central Market, San Antonio

Sunday February 4
Central Market, San Antonio

Saturday February 10
Market Street, McKinney

Sunday February 11
Market Street, Colleyville

With just three weeks until Christmas it doesn’t give you long to finish your Christmas shopping. This year you can shop from home by visiting my online store and sending my home made shortbread to your friends, family and business associates. The shortbread comes double boxed for protection, wrapped in royal blue tissue paper with the ‘royal chef’ logo on it and tied in six foot of ribbon. Included in the box is a copy of my biography so that everyone who receives it knows who made it. (We can also add your business cards). Don’t forget also, the hard to find molds and rings for the cook in the family.

To guarantee delivery for the Christmas tea table - and keep me up into the wee hours baking - please place orders no later than December 15. Orders taken after this date will make the new Years Day table (smiles)

Thank you to those that attended my cooking classes - including those that only made the waiting lists , sign up early next year, you have to be quick (smiles).

Thank you to everyone who bought shortbread or equipment off the web site, keep checking in at the store for new goodies. Thank you to the kind people that turned out with me for charity – especially those that dug deep into their pockets for my silent auction items. And finally, thank you to everyone that supports my web site and tells friends about it – traffic has more than doubled this year.

A huge “MERRY CHRISTMAS” to everyone ! See you somewhere in 2007… I just KNOW it’s going to be a fun year.

Until next time......

Darren