& DRINK Feast that is fit for a royal table
Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s former personal chef Carolyn Robb tells about her famous clients’ favourite dishes and how to add a royal touch to food wedding to Kate Middleton. It included 1,700 biscuits and more than 37lbs of chocolate. “My 13 years in the royal household were filled with incredible experiences and I have so many happy memories of this time,” adds Carolyn. “I subsequently lived and worked in Dubai and California, both of which gave me fascinating insights into new and very different cuisines, cultures and lifestyles. I came away with many fresh ideas and new perspectives on food.” Carolyn, who grew up in South Africa, says the secret of good food is fresh produce. “I’m not a fan of extreme diets and processed foods. “A good balance of nutrition and exercise is best. My parents lived into their 90s and never had prepared, processed food from shops.” She adds: “Working for the royal family was a dream job. I think I was in the right place at the right time.” which adds complexity to the wine. The wine has been matured in French oak which delivers toasted notes alongside aromas of apple, lemon, with hints of fresh peach.
English Wine Week is coming up from Saturday, May 27 – go to englishwineproducers.co.uk
are both carbon neutral and made in South Australia’s Clare Valley. The winery has introduced an audit of the vineyard to ensure elements of its carbon footprint are minimised.
This has seen best practice in viticulture and winemaking techniques along with water and energy conservation, organic cultivation, composting, minimal pesticide use, regeneration of the Wakefield River and use of renewable energy. Yay.
But what of the wines? The shiraz viognier is a deep ruby red with aromas and flavours of plums and black fruits; the cabernet shiraz reminded me of blackcurrant jam, the fruit is
which would make a refreshing white to pour now the weather is warming up – and when you don’t want to stretch the purse strings. It is a blend of four grapes, with gros manseng playing the leading role. The wine has lemon, gooseberry, grapefruit, apple and lemon aromas, and similar flavours kick in and refresh the palate. I’ll share some more M&S wines very soon.