I was invited back to the Turbochef Institute again last week. This was my third visit and I never need asking twice to get my hands on this amazing new oven. In a couple of months the new Turbochef oven is going to hit the stores for the residential market – it has been used commercially now for years – and it is set to take the market by storm.

Not only does it look beautiful, it performs beautiful too. Imagine popping a 12lb Turkey in the oven and 42 minutes later it is golden brown, succulent and ready to serve. Well imagine no longer because I have seen it happen. I have also seen the most perfect bunch of asparagus cooked in 45 seconds, a rack of lamb in just 6 minutes and chocolate soufflés in just three minutes. Yes, WOW ! But it’s not the talking about it that encourages the biggest wow, it’s seeing it happen in front of your eyes and then tasting it that really blows your mind.

The TurboChef 30" Double Wall Speedcook Oven uses patented Airspeed Technology to cook food up to 15 times faster than conventional cooking methods. TurboChef ovens cook food evenly and thoroughly, retaining more moisture and locking in flavor, maintaining superior quality. It has a state-of-the-art color LCD interface, Intuitive CookWheel Controller and Cook Navigator display screen that not only looks cool but breeds confidence too. This oven is just not capable of messing up a meal.

Now the homemaker will have more time for important things in that most valuable time slot - between picking the kids up and dinner – safe in the knowledge that she can throw a whole chicken into the oven and 14 minutes later it will be on the dinner table.

What a movie of mixed emotions for me this one was. Seeing the archive news clips announcing Princess Diana’s accident had my heart missing a beat again, bringing back horrible memories of that dreadful day back in August 1997.

Of course there was ‘artistic license’ in the movie probably more in this one that in others bearing in mind none of the advisors were “at Balmoral” during the time of the week the film depicts – in fact I would argue that perhaps the advisors had not been to Balmoral at all come to that. Still, it wasn’t a documentary on Her Majesty's 50,000 acre estate that they were making so we can forgive them for that.

The question I am asked most is “was it really like that?” and I have to break the movie down into different parts to explain. The news clips obviously brought realism to the story and certainly helped make us think indeed it really was like that. While we will never know what went on behind castle doors during this time one thing we do know and that is that the “Blairs” are not quite the middle class people they are depicted as – they too have house staff. It’s been a long time since Cherie picked up a frying pan, let alone cooked fish fingers.

In trying to emphasize that “Our Tony” was ‘one of us’ therefore making the royal family on a different planet, for me spoilt the movie a little. Having said that, Helen Mirren was incredible and deserved her Oscar. I’m told I was a right royal pain watching the movie.. “that’s not true” “that wouldn’t have happened” etc. So here are a couple of those for you…

The Queen (the real one) has been going to Balmoral since she was a baby. Trust me when I say she would never have to ask anyone for directions - she could drive those estate dirt tracks in the dark with her lights off. Next, stuck in the river (Dee) and out pops the cell phone. Hmm… right in the middle of the Scottish highlands on a 50,000 acre estate… oh yes, sure to get 4 bars on your signal strength there...not ! (laughs) The Queen (the real one) taking a phone call in the kitchen…hmm, Nope ! for a start we hardly ever saw her in the kitchen, secondly there wasn’t a phone there and thirdly, with all of those nosey chefs around listening in ? (laughs) I could go on…

Coming out of the theater reminded me once again how many lives Princess Diana had touched and inspired. Here I was 5000 miles away sat in a full theater looking at people that had ‘connected’ with her. Not only that, but 10 years on.

I am going to be cooking live in the Viking celebrity kitchen at Savor Dallas on Saturday March 10th at 1:30pm. Savor Dallas is a feast for the senses. An opportunity to enjoy the fine art of premium wines, spirits and cutting edge cuisine. Below is a list of the chef demonstrations… might be worth hanging around in case Rocco is demonstrating his “Mommas meatballs”.

Come to Savor Dallas and learn which wines and spirits to buy. Over 500 premium brands featured at exclusive tasting events and seminars throughout the weekend. Including the incredible "International Grand Tasting" featuring signature cuisine from over 50 top chefs and artisans!

The Savor Dallas concept was envisioned over three years ago by co-founders Vicki Briley-White and Jim White as a means of showcasing Dallas's great chefs, restaurants, cultural and artistic treasures, and to create the signature wine, food, and spirits event the Dallas-Fort Worth Area deserves.

Celebrity Chef Demo 1
"On Top of Spaghetti" - A love affair with pasta from the chefs who have made Al Forno in Provididence, R.I., one of the most respected restaurants in the world. Featuring Chefs Johanne Killeen and George Germon, James Beard Award winners ("Rising Star Chefs", "Best Chefs in Northeast"); "Number 1 Casual Dining in the World", International Herald Tribune; inducted into Johnson & Wales Hall of Fame. Johanne and George will be signing their brand new book "On Top Of Spaghetti" (Harper Collins, William Morris Cookbooks) immediately following their demonstration.
Time: 11:00 a.m.

Celebrity Chef Demo 2
"The Royal Chef" - Meet Princess Diana's Personal Chef and learn secrets of the Royal Kitchen from Buckingham to Windsor to Balmoral. Featuring Chef Darren McGrady who spent 11 years cooking for the Queen and 4 years with Princess Diana until her tragic death. He'll share stories and answer questions while showing you delightful recipes from his forthcoming book entitled "Eating Royally" out July 10th 2007.
Time: 1:30 p.m.

Celebrity Chef Demo 3
"Secrets from Rocco's kitchen" - Featuring chef and television star Rocco DiSpirito
Time: 3:00 p.m.

Go to www.savordallas.com for more info.

Here’s where I am going to be over the next few months. For more info on each event keep checking back on the blog. Usually I am cooking something, so if you are nearby come and see me, taste some good food…

March 10
Savor Dallas - Celebrity Chef Kitchen

March 11
Market Street – Colleyville

March 17
Market Street – McKinney

March 24
The Lubbock Club
Lubbock, Texas

May 6
Mothers Day Tea Party
Market Street – Colleyville

May 12
Mothers Day Tea Party
Market Street – McKinney

May 19
Cooking Nook – two cooking classes
Longview, Texas

June 2
Two cooking classes
Central Market - San Antonio

June 3
Les Dames D’Escoffier fund raiser
San Antonio

June 16
Market Street – McKinney

June 23
Market Street – Colleyville

July 10
Launch of “Eating Royally”

There is no need for any more ‘and finally’ because of my new blog. I have started blogging every few days, so keep checking back. The newsletters will be updated every couple of months or when there is too much going on to tell you about in the blog.

Until next time...... Darren