Here’s what it takes to be the Queen’s chef

The Queen of Britain is looking for a chef with passion. See if you make the cut

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 British Royal Family has posted a job vacancy for a sous chef, a salaried position that pays around £23,000 (about R19.2 lakh) a year for 45-hour work weeks. 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, sauce vegetables, and pastries.

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However, according to Darren McGrady, a former chef to the Royal Family, the Queen is a woman of simple tastes who will start the day off with a bowl of Cornflakes. On other days, breakfast may entail a boiled egg, toast and marmalade and a cup of Darjeeling tea. Other 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.

Check out royal.gov.uk for more details. The deadline to apply is May 10. Meanwhile, YouTube pop sensation Psy has also launched a global talent search recently for a personal chef in partnership with Korean food manufacturer Bibigo. To apply for the chance to hang out with the celebrity for a month during his worldwide tour and pocket $40,000 (R21.4 lakh), candidates are invited to submit creative videos depicting their ‘mixing abilities’ kitchen and otherwise.