Buckingham Palace has announced that Prince Charles is to marry Camilla Parker Bowles on the 8th April 2005.

So, 9 years after he divorced Princess Diana, the Prince has finally listened to her. (Cynics will say that the decision was brought forward by the latest attack on Prince Charles over his finances being probed). “He should marry her and make an honest woman of her” the Princess said to me one lunch time in the kitchen at Kensington Palace.

In an attempt to keep the equilibrium (1/3 of the country are for the marriage, 1/3 are against it and 1/3 don’t care) the “grey suits” in the “damage waiver department” at Buckingham Palace have been careful not to raise the heckles of a nation that still remembers “the peoples Princess”. She will take the title HRH the Duchess of Cornwall and when the Prince becomes King will be known as “Princess Consort” was the official statement. Let’s wait and see! I think once her feet are firmly under the table and England has a King, then the last part of that statement will be buried as deep as the wish to remember Princess Diana and the good that she did.

There won’t be the tea towels, or millions watching it around the world like his last wedding. Nor will I be camped out the night before to catch a glimpse of his blushing bride – as I was last time. But then he doesn’t want the pomp and pageantry this time. Just to be able to marry the woman he loves … “whatever that word means” … as he once said.

I know that has she been alive today, despite her wishes, her personal staff would have had a heck of a job on our hands this morning - as we served breakfast - comforting a Princess that had the foresight to pronounce “I will never be Queen”

“Truly a special place of relaxation and remembrance for years to come." So says Greg McErlean, head of major projects for the Royal Parks in London. But only after a further £200,000 has been wasted, I’m sorry I meant spent, on repairs to it – this year alone.

Well let’s hope so this time. The £3.6 million memorial in Hyde Park has been plagued by difficulties since it opened last July. Currently closed, it is due to reopen on May 1st after the next round of major repairs needed to cope with the hundreds of thousands of visitors expected in the summer months.

Tuesday February 8th is Pancake day. "Shrove" is the past tense of "shrive” - Shrive means to hear confession of assign penance to, and absolve. Lent is a time of abstinence - traditionally of meat, fat, eggs and dairy products. Therefore, the day to consume all the fat, eggs and dairy products in the kitchen. For the English it meant pancakes – and lots of them.

In some cultures, it is traditional to eat as much as possible on Shrove Tuesday, up to 12 times a day! In my home it is tradition to eat as many pancakes as possible – and yes, up to 12. Fresh from the pan topped with sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice, folded into four and eaten before the next one is ready.

Pancake Day in the Buckingham Palace kitchens was a chore. Everyone had to have pancakes. Half a dozen perfect ones for the Royal table weren’t the problem; it was the 600 for the staff which took most of the day. Even with 6 pans going simultaneously.

Pressure enough you might think – but I remember one time Princess Margaret and the Queen walked into the kitchen. The Queens sister headed to my stove and shouted “Lillibet, come and look at this” “Well, at least they were impressed” I thought – wrongly. “Isn’t that cheating using a spatula to flip them? Go on, toss them!” said the Queen … and I did – all six of them, and to cheers from both Ladies.

Try out the recipe for “Royal Pancakes” on my recipes page.

The February classes I am teaching at Market Street have already sold out, sorry if you missed out. Here’s a heads up on some other classes that might interest you – be sure to make a reservation early if you want to join me as I think these may be popular too.

Celebrate Easter with “The Royal Chef” -  $29.00
March 12 Market Street Store – McKinney, TX 11:00am – 1:00pm
March 19 Market Street Store - Colleyville, TX 11:00am – 1:00pm

New Season Asparagus and Dill Soup, Hot Cheese Scones, with Crab Butter, Rack of Lamb with a Garlic, Rosemary and Juniper Crust. Roast Spring Vegetables, Chilled Lemon and Clotted Cream Tart with a Rhubarb and Strawberry Compote. Chocolate Eggs.
Please call 817 577 5047 to make a reservation.

I’m also going to be teaching at the following cooking schools in the next few months;

• 16 April - Wholefoods (Plano)
• 23 April - Grapevine Recreation Center
• 7 May - Market Street (Colleyville)
• 21 May - Market Street (McKinney)
• 4 June - Grapevine Recreation Center
• 11 June - Market Street (Colleyville)
• 23 June – Central Market (Dallas)

If you think that I may be able to help raise funds for YOUR charity in some way then please contact me. There’s only one of me and I do have a full time job so I can’t promise to help everyone, but we may be able to work something out.

Until next time......