Customer Reviews

Eating Royally: Recipes and Remembrances from a Palace Kitchen

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'd first read that Mr. McGrady was writing this book a couple of years ago, then when I finally read about it being out (in my local newspaper, I read an interview)I decided to get myself a copy.

The book is pretty well written, giving some background on McGrady and Royal life. You'll find six chapters concerning specific Royal locations, each of these will give some information on McGrady and whatever section you're reading. No scandal, no Burrell bashing- just what should be in a book of this sort.

The recipes are written, in this edition anyway, for American cooks- no metric conversions for us- and will sometimes include some little bit about a particular member of the Royal family that liked the item. Most of the identified items concern the Queen or Princess Diana but some of the other family members too. I'm no cook but I think I could manage most of them myself. The photographs of the food items appear to be professionally done while most others McGrady probably took himself with his own camera.

It's a pleasant and informative book to read, not too braggy, worth buying as a gift if not for yourself. The recipes will appeal to many possible readers who would not otherwise care a bit about Diana (one recipe includes a lowfat version for her and a regular version for guests)or the Royals. I may never get much use out of it but I don't regret buying it.

I received this book yesterday and couldn't put it down! It is beautifully done with full color photos throughout.

Favorite recipes of the Royal Family are given with a little story behind them. Kitchens of the various palaces and operations of producing meals for the private and public events are detailed. The behind-the-scenes stories are wonderful.

A great resource for those interested in the Royals. Do not read if you are hungry! You'll want to rush to your kitchen and try out a recipe!

"I have had the honor of eating some some wonderful food prepared by Darren McGrady. My wife and I are big fans and have been anxiously waiting the release of his first cookbook.

Darren's talent with food, his insight into the royal family and his warm sense of humor make this book a MUST HAVE."

Just recieved my copy in the mail. What a fun book by a great chef and admirer of Princess Diana. It is so refreshing to see someone who knew her, that is not trying to profit from it. He is donating all of the proceeds to a charity benefitting children with AIDS, two of Diana's favorite causes.
The recipes are scrumptious, but the stories are just as interesting.You get an insiders look of how things were in the Queen's kitchen and what Diana and the boys enjoyed eating.
One of my favorite stories was as a young chef in the Queen's kitchen, a senior chef showed him the precise way to peel and cut carrots for the Queen. Darren asked, "Aren't those awful big?" The senior chef said No, if they were shorter, the horses might bite the Queen's hand.
It is full of beautiful pictures and you will not be able to wait to get to your kitchen and eat like the royals.

This is a very nice gift book for anyone who enjoys cooking, especially when accompanied by a gift certificate for cooking utensils or products. Despite the "Royal" title, the food is actually quite down-to-earth and fairly simple to prepare. Wonderful inside stories about the Royal family are peppered throughout the book.

THIS IS A GREAT COOKBOOK I TRIED TWO RECIPES YESTERDAY. THE CREME BRULE-BREAD PUDDING IS NOT TO BE BELIEVED!!! THE STEAK STUFFED WITH BOURSIN CHEESE AND PINE NUTS WAS VERY GOOD ALSO... ITS A HANDSOME BOOK AND WORTH EVERY CENT OF IT.

This is a wonderful cookbook on several levels and I am happy to see that it has received consistently positive reviews!

Darren McGrady deserves congratulations for creating an entertaining cookbook that also delivers delicious recipes. His personal anecdotes about the Queen and Princess Diana are both amusing and discreet.

The book is well structured according to seasons and royal residences, such as Christmas at Sandringham and Autumn at Balmoral. The beginning of each chapter contains an overview of the season and location, and Chef McGrady weaves his own professional memoir into this structure.

Copies of formal menus, handwritten notes of instruction from the royal family, and informal snapshots of the various royal kitchens are interspersed in an elegant scrapbook fashion. Then come the recipes for the chapter, back to back.

Favorite recipes of the royal family are included, many with an introductory paragraph of just what it was that made that particular recipe so special to the individual. I must add, though, that you will have fun reading between the lines in a description of a culinary episode about a former duchess. You will have to admit, Darren McGrady has style.

The recipes that I have tried so far come from the Kensington Palace section, nicely subtitled "A Home for All Seasons." These are Princess Diana's favorites and are lighter and more contemporary. I particularly enjoyed the stuffed aubergines and the lobster Thermidor (OK, not so light and not so contemporary, but a delicious classic). And after eating a salad with the Pureed Herb Dressing, I have to take a bit of bread to sponge up the remaining dressing because it is that good. The recipes that I tried worked perfectly and most of them are accompanied by photographs.

This was very neatly done. I was left with the impression of a great chef, good writer, and generous man: 100% of the proceeds of this book go to the Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric Aids Foundation.

Naughty thought: I wonder how Paul Burrell, Diana's tell-all butler, feels about this?

This is a delightful book written in a warm, yet elegant style, taking you 'backstage' as it were, to the kitchens of Queen Elizabeth. It is packed with sumptuous photos, mouth-watering recipes and personal anecdotes that make for an interesting read. I have not been bold enough to attempt any of the recipes yet - the challenge awaits!

This is a beautiful book to look at but it also is very easy to use when making the recipes in it. Wonderfully illustrated. Many "personal" stories of Diana and her relationship to the author and to the public that adored her. It's a 5 star delight. You won't be disappointed. For once its not a tell all book by someone trying to cash-in on Diana's name. All proceeds go to her charity, The Elizabeth Glazer foundation for Pedatric Aids. What a lovely thing to do.

I bought two copies of this cookbook -- one for myself and one for my Welsh cousins. Other reviewers have said it all: this is a gem and the recipes are manageable (unlike a lot of glossy cookbooks).

The book is handsome, entertaining, and highly useful in the kitchen.
The recipe for spring peas and mint is not only exotic but extremely delicious.

Frankly, this is a bargain to be had.