Lifting the curtain on royal kitchens, past and present
Abergavenny’s own Matt Tebbutt (presenter Saturday Kitchen, BBC1) will soon be on stage once more with Tom Parker Bowles (the son of Queen Camilla). It’s been a while since they last teamed up at Abergavenny Food Festival (photo below from 2008). Of course they’ve collaborated across the years – right back to their early days co-hosting UKTV’s Market Kitchen – and that kind of relationship with plenty of banter in the mix will really pay dividends for their lively and informal chat at Abergavenny’s Borough Theatre (Sun 22 Sept).
The subject matter is fascinating. It’s Matt’s job to find out just how Tom went about his latest book ‘Cooking and The Crown – royal recipes from Queen Victoria to King Charles III.’ Really, it’s a detective story, a tale that gets more fascinating as it is unwrapped. The book doesn’t just reveal the eating habits of the Royal Family and entertainment on state occasions. It’s also a brilliant time-capsule of food fashions and tastes and personalities; as much about the people as the food.
Crucially, Matt will also explore what the whole journey has meant to Tom – as a food writer, restaurant critic, and cook. Tom will have road-tested many of the recipes. Find out which ones came out tops. You may be surprised.
Tom: ‘As a food history geek, I cannot tell you how exciting it has been to read original recipes in the royal archive in Windsor, and disappear into the lives and reigns (and eating habits) of sovereigns from Queen Victoria onwards.’
Cooking and The Crown (published by Aster) is officially out on 26 September, but you can buy in advance. It features dishes from every monarch from Queen Victoria to King Charles III, with over 100 recipes for every occasion – from breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners, to coronations and state banquets. Sophisticated creations feature alongside dishes of surprising simplicity, combining historical insights with modern tastes.
Each chapter is accompanied by fascinating tales of royal kitchens, chefs and culinary traditions and predilections. Weaving together material from the royal archives, contemporary accounts and personal insight, Cooking and the Crown paints a vivid picture of royal tastes and traditions.
See the What’s On page for this event here Buy tickets and/or a ticket & book deal. Enjoy the chat, then get your book signed. Take home a unique slice of British food history and getting cooking for royal in your own kitchen.