At Wine & Food Week

From royal chef to proud Texan: Princess Diana's former chef gets into the foodscene of new home

Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef
Darren McGrady, The Royal Chef/Facebook
A scene from last year's Grand Tasting during Wine & Food Week in the Woodlands
Photo by Steven David
Wine and Food Week/Facebook
Alyssa Rapp, wine wizard master of ceremonies
ClaudiaChan.com

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Houston’s Eighth Annual Wine & Food Week is bringing in royal chef Darren McGrady as this year's Wizard Gourmet.

“I have never been called a Wizard Gourmet before,” McGrady says, “and I can’t wait to be a part of this year's Wine & Food Week."

McGrady says he was "amazed" with how nice the people in Houston were, so when he decided to move from England he remembered Texas.

McGrady is known for the 15 years he spent as Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana's chef. But he now lives in Dallas, where he works as a personal chef, philanthropist, author, culinary consultant, event planner and public speaker.

Why Dallas?

McGrady tells CultureMap he traveled all over the world for his royal duties, but a stop in Texas stuck in his mind. He stopped in Houston in 1991 after sailing to Miami. McGrady says he was "amazed" with how nice the people in Houston were, so when he decided to move from England he remembered Texas.

And that's where he ended up (even if he didn't land in exactly the right city).

Now as Wizard Gourmet (in the right city), McGrady will be the star of Wine Rendezvous Grand Tasting & Chef Showcase Saturday night, the biggest event of a festival that runs all week in The Woodlands. McGrady vows that Houstonians will get to dine like royalty and experience the favorite foods of Princess Diana and the queen at his showcase.

McGrady plans to serve Gaelic steak and his legendary bread and butter pudding.

“My Bread and Butter Pudding is Diana’s favorite,” McGrady says of the deceased princess, “and it is the one dessert I am asked to prepare for parties or events."

McGrady’s delicious chocolate cake, which was featured as the wedding cake for Prince William, will not be on the dessert menu Saturday, but that doesn't mean he will not tell stories about it. That's what he does, turning having been the royal chef into an ongoing adventure.

McGrady's first cookbook Eating Royally: Recipes and Remembrances from a Palace Kitchen is now in its sixth print (he donates all of its royalties to The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation).

The royal chef cites his proudest moment working for the queen as getting to sail to America on one of the royal ships. On that voyage, he preparing to cook for a president while Royal Navy sailors looked on and the Royal Band played England's national anthem in the background.

As for any nerves about cooking in front of a crowd again? Not likely. McGrady says he does not have one bit of nerves in him after his royal service and many appearances. He is more excited for Wine & Food Week than nervous.

For tickets and more information, check out the website for Wine & Food Week presented by H-E-B.

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flying into Houston

Chopped champion's Indian-spiced fried chicken joint opens in Midtown

One of Houston’s most dynamic chefs has unveiled his take on fried chicken. Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

Located at 3201 Louisiana, the restaurant is the latest concept from chef and Chopped champion Jassi Bindra and business partners Surpreet and Preet Paul Singh, the trio behind Indian fine dining restaurant Amrina in The Woodlands. Bindra’s fried chicken recipe uses a gluten-free flour and starch batter that’s seasoned with Indian Kashmiri red chili powder along with other herbs and spices. It’s pressure cooked to ensure the meat stays both juicy and crispy.

The certified halal chicken is available as strips, sandwiches (made with thigh meat), and chicken breast bites.Those looking for a heartier meal, can get their chicken served on top of sidewinder fries or in the “Rice & Shine,” which includes basmati rice and Bindra’s “Desi kimchi.” Beverage options include Akra, an American-style lager that’s brewed in India, cannabis-infused drinks from 8th Wonder and non-alcoholic options such as sodas and a mango lassi.

“At Pok Pok Po, we’re creating something that’s not just a meal but an experience,” Bindra said in a statement. “We’ve taken everything people love about fried chicken and given it a twist with bold, gluten-free recipes and flavors that truly speak to the diversity of Houston.”

While most counter service restaurants are designed primarily for to-go, Pok Pok Po’s 55-seat dining room caters to those who want to enjoy their meals. It features banquette seating and a white-and-black motif that will also be present at Bol, the restaurant’s sister concept that’s opening soon.

The two restaurants occupy part of the former Artisans space. Medium Rare, an affordable steak frites restaurant from Washington, D.C., recently opened next to Bol and Pok Pok Po.

Courtesy of Pok Pok Po

Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

news-you-can-eat openings pok pok po