Welcome to my first newsletter of 2005 and into the second year of my website. It’s only been up and running six months and already had over 3000 hits. Thank you all for supporting me and the charity work I promote through this site. I hope each of you will buy my cookbook when it comes out. (smiles) I’m still not sure when that will be, there have been so many complications with it that I think I could write a book on “writing a cookbook” I do know however that that there WILL be one and just ask for your patience – it will be worth waiting for – trust me, I’m a Chef ! (laughs)

Well, the papers must be short of things to write about this week. Prince Harry goes off to a private fancy dress (costume) party for one of his good friends and all hell lets loose. People are even calling for him to be refused entry into the Army. How crazy is that? The Army will be the making of him. The strength, support and guidance he has been missing. “If anyone else had done it then they would not have been allowed to enter Her Majesty’s force” folks are yelling. But “if anyone else had done it, then it wouldn’t be on the front page of the Worlds press either.

What exactly is “it”? Well, in a massive moment of bad judgment or haste and at a time when Prince William must have been perusing the store for his own costume, Harry chose to rent a uniform of the Second World War Nazi Afrika Corps soldier with a swastika armband. A mistake he now openly admits too, but that’s it, it was just a mistake. The way the world has gone crazy about it, one would think he had turned up in it at the cenotaph on remembrance Sunday – just for a joke. I’m not condoning what he did; perhaps he does – as do most of today’s youth - need educating in the dreadful horrors of the Holocaust. But knowing him, I don’t believe that even entered his head when he chose it. “Cool, an Army uniform” more like.

Harry has always like the army, always liked soldiers uniforms, heck; soon he will be in one for real. And unfortunately Harry is prone to spur of the moment gaffes to just like his mother. Once, faced with entertaining the boys for the afternoon she scanned the papers to see what was on at the movies. A Kevin Costner movie, the boys love his movies she thought. The next day she regretted her decision when the press slammed her for “supporting a movie glorifying the Irish Republican Army”

Now it seems Harry has been told that he must make a visit to Auschwitz to make amends and compensate the people he upset. Some would say rightly so. I bet with hindsight he wishes he had chosen the “pirate” costume instead – he would have been on his way to the Caribbean tomorrow for a nice sunshine break apologizing to all those families that lost loved ones on the seven seas.

January, and the Royal Family are at Sandringham. They go there every year for New Year and half of January too. It was always Christmas at Windsor Castle and New Year at Sandringham – until the great fire at Windsor. Then Sandringham House hosted both during the Windsor Castle renovations and with the family getting smaller too it made more sense to keep it that way.

Sandringham was my favourite home to visit on our yearly tour of the Royal residences. It was the smallest house and the one with the dining room closest to the kitchen. We got to see the Royal family all the time here – especially Princess Diana, William and Harry. The Corgis, the Queens dogs would wander through as well sniffing out food – until the Queen or the dog boy yelled for them – or one of the chefs booted them out of the kitchen – some of them literally.

Sandringham was Princess Diana’s favourite house too – she loved to walk the estate that she was born on. I met her out walking one cold winters afternoon, she had, as usual her sony walkman in her hand and her headphones on. She stopped and we chatted for a while. As she was leaving I asked what she was listening too. “Phil Collins” she said putting her headpiece back on... “separate lives, it’s my favourite”. I could see the sadness in her face as she walked off into the snow.

These classes are all at Market Street in Colleyville and McKinney. If you want to join me please call
817 577 5047 to make a reservation.

Valentines Dinner
February 12 7:00pm – 9:00pm
February 13 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Are you tired of the same old local restaurants for this years Valentines dinner ? Ready to try something different ? “The Royal Chef” Darren McGrady will be hosting a gourmet dinner party at Market Street. First he will walk you through the preparation and then serve a full three course Valentines meal consisting of ; Goat Cheese and Hazelnut Soufflé with a Lime and Ginger Dressing. A Marriage of Poached Salmon with Beef Tenderloin, Fondantes Potatoes and a Panache of Vegetables, followed by Chocolate Perfection Pie with a Raspberry and Orange Sauce.

Celebrate Easter with “The Royal Chef”
March 12 11:00am – 1:00pm
March 19 11:00am – 1:00pm

New Season Asparagus and Dill Soup, Hot Cheese Scones, with Crab Butter, Rack of Lamb with a Garlic, Rosemary and Juniper Crust. Roast Spring Vegetables, Chilled Lemon and Clotted Cream Tart with a Rhubarb and Strawberry Compote. Chocolate Eggs.

The World of Comfort Foods with “The Royal Chef”
January 15 11:00am – 1:00pm
January 29 11:00am – 1:00pm

English style Salmon Fish Cakes with Real Tomato Sauce. Navarin of Beef with Herb Dumplings. The best mashed Potatoes in the World. Braised Cabbage with Garlic, Bacon and Cream. Steamed Syrup Sponge and Custard.

If you think that I may be able to help raise funds for YOUR charity in some way then please contact me. There’s only one of me and I do have a full time job so I can’t promise to help everyone, but we may be able to work something out.

Until next time......