If you’re an experienced chef who has worked in five-star establishments, aren’t daunted by having to prepare luncheons for the most powerful heads of state in the world, or thousands of canapés for parties of 800, Buckingham Palace wants you.
The Royal Family has posted a job vacancy for a sous chef, a salaried position that pays around £23,000 (about US$ 35,000) a year for 45-hour work weeks.
According to the job description, the candidate will be primarily based out of Buckingham Palace but may also be required to spend three months away from London, working from other royal residences.
And while the minimum job qualifications include a City and Guilds catering qualification; “substantial experience” within a five-star establishment at the sous-chef level; fine dining experience, and proficiency in all four sections of the kitchen — larder, vegetables, sauce and pastries — when it comes to the daily routine of feeding the Queen, some days may simply entail opening a box of Cornflakes.
According to Darren McGrady, a former chef to the Royal Family, the Queen is a woman of simple and modest tastes who will start the day off with a bowl of Cornflakes or Special K.
On other days, breakfast may entail a boiled egg, toast and marmalade and a cup of Darjeeling tea.
Other recurring meals in her menu repertoire include grilled sole over wilted spinach for lunch, roasted game meats like pheasant for dinner, and afternoon tea sandwiches of cucumber and smoked salmon or egg and mayo — crusts cut off.
Candidates take note: Accommodations are provided, and a preference will be given to those with a “real passion for food.” The deadline to apply is May 10.
