A former chef of Queen Elizabeth has revealed the one snack she’s had since she was just a child, and it’s not as glamorous as you might think.
Darren McGrady, who served as her highness’ personal chef for fifteen years, posted to his YouTube channel that the humble jam sandwich has been a favourite of the Queen’s since she was a young child.
Discussing the garden parties that used to happen at Buckingham Palace, McGrady - who worked at Buckingham since he was a young boy - said that the Queen has always loved the humble ‘jam penny.’
The recipe is surprisingly simple for a royal meal.
“Just bread and jam with a little butter,” he said. “Usually strawberry jam.”
“We’d make the jam at Balmoral castle with gorgeous Scottish strawberries from the gardens.”
They’re called ‘pennys’ because chefs would cut the sandwiches out into tiny circles the size of the old British penny.
Who would’ve thought that Queen Elizabeth of all people has been indulging in such a simple meal for more than 90 years?
McGrady also shared another food that the monarch would love to snack on.
“The Queen would also eat strawberries three or four nights a week in Balmoral if they were in season.”
Another chef for the royals, Owen Hodgson, told the Telegraph, as reported by the NZ Herald, that her majesty makes sure to have afternoon tea every day, and it's not just jam sandwiches, but they're sure to be included.
A tuna and mayonnaise sandwich with butter, cucumber and pepper, being among them, as well as some sweeter treats are also on the menu.
“Also tiny pastries like raspberry tartlets and a cut cake, honey and cream sponge, fruit cake, banana bread, or her favourite chocolate biscuit cake,” he shared.
“It would all be washed down with a delightful steaming hot cup of Earl Grey tea."
