‘Diana, a celebration’ was a huge hit earlier this year at the Dayton Art Institute in Ohio. U.S.A. where it ran from February to June and attracted thousands of visitors. February next year it returns across the pond to Ohio, but this time to Cleveland and the Western Reserve Historical Society.

No doubt, just as when I toured the exhibit in Dayton there will be hundreds of people lined up outside with the $20.00 admission fee in hand waiting for it to open, each swapping stories and remembering what they were doing ‘that dreadful night they heard the news’. Young daughters eagerly waiting to see the dresses and unwrap the mystery of this woman they cannot remember but touched so many hearts around the world.

“My family hopes that the people of Cleveland and others who visit will walk away from the exhibition with fond memories of Diana -- such as her charitable legacy, boundless spirit and energy along with her endless devotion to others, especially her children.” …trumpets Earl Spencer, Princess Diana’s brother and also guardian of the 150 item exhibit which will stay until June and then probably return to Althorp for the ‘money spinning’ 10th anniversary.

Noble words, one might say of a brother’s love and devotion to his sister. How sad then to find out that despite a turnover of around one million, seven hundred thousand pounds last year from the exhibits, only fifty three thousand of it was donated to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. Yes, three percent ! 60 cents of your $20.00 admission fee….No wonder the Earls' spokesperson declined to comment on the figures.

The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund has been hitting the news recently over its choice to donate another quarter of a million pounds to Refugees and Asylum seekers. With Sir Roger Singleton CBE as the new captain at the helm it seems the Memorial fund boat fuelled with donations by people that adored Princess Diana and her charity work plans to stay on course and not charter new waters.

I can understand other charities, especially ones that the Princess was so vocal about, complaining about Asylum seekers getting the money – another seven hundred and fifteen thousand pounds went that way just recently. It does make one wonder though if the fund is now pandering to the politically correct rather than the charitable goals the Princess had in mind.

A “consultation exercise and plans for the way forward report” was ordered that decided that the fund would spend up to $10,000,000 yes, ten million pounds on Asylum seekers. As much as these people need help and recognition, as well as support I can tell you now that there is no way the Princess would have gone along with this. Anyone onboard or on the board (big sister included) that actually knew the Princess would tell you that.

With probably only another 5 years to run wouldn’t it be nice to see just a few if not all of the Princess’ charities get a little of the twenty million pounds left in the kitty rather than have ‘the gray suits bureaucracy “she so despised think that “we know best.”

The rest of my cooking classes for this year have sold out, but I have added more dates for the beginning of 2007, so if you are interested in coming to one of those classes call the school to reserve a seat before their brochure comes out with these new dates in. I will fill in the class content in the next newsletter, but I promise they will be fun classes with good recipes and good food to taste.

Sunday November 19 SOLD OUT
Market Street, McKinney
Canapés, Nibbles and Appetizers
Telephone: 972 548 5167

Sunday November 25 SOLD OUT
Market Street, Colleyville
Canapés, Nibbles and Appetizers
Telephone: 817 577 5047

Saturday December 2 SOLD OUT
Market Street, McKinney
Royal Christmas Party.
Telephone: 972 548 5167

Saturday December 9 SOLD OUT
Market Street, Colleyville
Royal Christmas Party.
Telephone: 817 577 5047

Saturday January 13
Market Street, Colleyville

Saturday January 20
Market Street, McKinney

Saturday January 27
Central Market, Houston

Sunday January 28
Central Market, Houston

Saturday February 3
Central Market, San Antonio

Sunday February 4
Central Market, San Antonio

Just a reminder to get your order in as soon as possible for any boxes of shortbread you plan to send to friends or give as corporate gifts. I would hate to disappoint anyone in the big rush up to the holidays – remember I bake them all myself. Place your order early and let me know what date you want them shipping to guarantee your order.

The shortbread comes double boxed for protection, wrapped in six foot of ribbon and has a gift card attached (we can also add your business cards). Don’t forget also, the hard to find molds and rings for the cook in the family.

Thursday October 26 I will be hosting a traditional British afternoon tea party in Dallas to benefit the American Foundation for the Blind. The tea will be held from 3pm to 4pm at the new Center on Vision Loss 11030 Ables Lane, Dallas, TX 75229 to celebrate its grand opening and tours of the new facility start at 2:30pm.
Tickets are limited, but it is open to the public and if you are interested in supporting a great cause and sampling some good food (clotted cream scones et al) then call
214 352 7222 and I will see you there.

I was invited last week to do an interview on Radio Singapore on “life in the royal kitchen” for the stations ‘pot luck’ program. I spent an hour in Singapore once when flying with the Queen on our way to Australia (we stopped to refuel and stretch our legs in Changi airport) before continuing the 23 hour flight. As soon as we landed, the chefs headed off to the Royal Yacht to prepare dinner – even though it felt like 6am to us.

Anyway, to hear the interview click HERE:

My live auction donation at the Pegasus Ball to benefit the Autism Treatment Center in Dallas raised $7,500 and had lots of frantic bids (dinner for 8 people at your home, cooked by me). It was a lot to splash out, but all for a worthwhile cause.

Thank you to the winning bid, I promise to make it a memorable night for you.