Darren McGrady, who served as Queen Elizabeth II’s personal chef from 1982 to 1993, has shared unique details about the late monarch’s eating habits and the royal kitchen’s efforts to diversify the menu. According to McGrady, the Queen was firm in her preferences and “would have thrown the book at him” if a single meal was suggested as her only option.
She favored consistency but was open to occasional variations. The Queen’s day often began with a cup of tea, a biscuit, and cereal stored carefully in Tupperware for freshness, as biographer Katie Nicholl describes. For lunch, she typically enjoyed grilled fish paired with wilted spinach or courgettes, sometimes opting for grilled chicken with salad.
Afternoon tea was a cherished tradition, observed daily at 5 p.m. regardless of time zone. McGrady recalls serving scones with jam and clotted cream even during a flight to Australia, humorously noting, “It was five o’clock in the morning but for the Queen it was five in the afternoon.” This custom continues with King Charles.
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Twice a week, McGrady would present the Queen with a menu to select her preferred dishes. If a dish didn’t appeal to her, she would leave feedback in a notebook to avoid repetition. Despite chefs’ attempts to introduce new recipes, the Queen remained loyal to familiar foods. McGrady joked that proposing exotic meals like kangaroo would have resulted in her “throwing the menu book” at him.
One of the Queen’s favorites was Morecambe Bay potted shrimp on toast, served warm after being marinated in spicy butter. While she often chose small portions of savory items, she had a notable sweet tooth, especially for chocolate. McGrady mentioned her fondness for chocolate desserts, particularly chocolate perfection pie.
The Queen also granted royal warrants to confectioners such as Charbonnel et Walker, Bendicks, and Prestat, reflecting her love for fine chocolates.
In contrast, King Charles favors more traditional fare, with mutton being a standout dish. Former royal butler Grant Harrold recalled the King hosting mutton lunches—an “old-fashioned” meal choice which he personally enjoyed.
These insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the culinary preferences of the late Queen and the royal family’s dining traditions.