Learn How to Cook Food Fit for a Queen With Free Tutorials From the Royal Chef

Do you find yourself whipping up more and more recipes during quarantine? It’s the perfect time to pick up a few new culinary skills — and who better to learn a thing or two than from the guy who spent more than a decade cooking for Queen Elizabeth?

Former royal chef Darren McGrady recently shared some of the Windsor family’s favorite meals, like Elizabeth’s annual birthday cake, Prince Charles’ love of mushrooms and organic food, and Prince Philip’s preference for more exotic fare (and actually getting to eat it when his picky wife isn’t around).

Now, McGrady is dishing out more stories and cooking tips he picked up in the palace kitchens with his own YouTube channel. Some of the recipes branch outside of the royal family’s menu, with a few of his own family favorites, but he kicked things off with the traditional scones Elizabeth enjoys on a daily basis with her afternoon tea.

Apparently, the Queen isn’t one to ever skip the afternoon snack — even if she’s traveled to the other side of the world where it isn’t actually the afternoon (more like 5:00 am), but still has her staff supply her with fresh scones when the craving strikes at what would be tea time in the UK.

Take a look to see how you can cook up your own royally-approved scones and learn how the Queen prefers to top hers: 

Who knew there was such a big debate over which topping should go on a scone first? We’ll stick with Elizabeth’s method of putting jam on first and then the clotted cream to feel a little regal with every bite.

Stay tuned to McGrady’s YouTube page for more free tutorials and royal cooking tips. You can also follow him on Instagram for updates or pick up his cook book, The Royal Chef at Home: Easy Seasonal Entertaining ($32.95, Amazon), to take a crack at those recipes, too.