Royal Recipes
Series 2
Mixing social history and cookery, Michael Buerk meets with chefs and food historians to celebrate some of the food served to British monarchs from George IV to the present day.
Where to Watch Series 2
15 Episodes
- Exotic Flavours
E1Exotic FlavoursPresenter Michael Buerk and chef Paul Ainsworth rustle up an exotic pudding, which was a favourite of Henry VIII's. Cake maker to the royals Mich Turner recreates Prince Charles's sumptuous birthday cake, and food historian Dr Annie Gray discovers how the royal appetite for one exotic fruit spawned a grand architectural fashion. - Breakfast and Snacks
E2Breakfast and SnacksPresenter Michael Buerk and chef Anna Haugh cook a dish from an Edwardian full English breakfast. Dr Polly Russell leafs through some precious manuscripts at the British Library to learn more about royal eating habits, and former royal chef Carolyn Robb cooks a loaf that's a favourite of Prince Charles's. - Great British Bounty
E3Great British BountyPresenter Michael Buerk and chef Paul Ainsworth discover a favourite dish of a 14th-century king. Dr Matt Green discovers the rich culinary history of the Queen Mother's childhood home, and chef Galton Blackiston recalls a dish he created for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. - Royal Visits
E5Royal VisitsPresenter Michael Buerk and chef Paul Ainsworth reimagine a dish served at a royal banquet to a grumpy Persian monarch in the early years of the 20th century. Dr Annie Gray climbs aboard the royal train to discover the luxury in which past monarchs travelled, and chef Rob Kennedy recreates a dish served to a prince and his parents at a Sandhurst dinner. - Spice
E6SpiceMichael chef Anna Haugh recreate George V's favourite curry, and historian Dr Polly Russell discovers how Sir Francis Drake made a fortune for queen and country. The programme goes behind the scenes to learn the secrets of a famous condiment that has been a royal favourite since the 19th century. - Sporting Pursuits
E7Sporting PursuitsMichael and chef Paul Ainsworth recreate the pudding which was served to the Olympic Committee during Britain's successful bid. Dr Annie Gray is in Cowes to discover George V's passion for sailing, and former royal chef Carolyn Robb remembers the meal she served a prince recovering from a sporting injury. - Pomp and Circumstance
E8Pomp and CircumstanceMichael and chef Anna Haugh sample a luxurious dish originally created for Charles II. Wine expert Joe Fattorini meets the eighth generation of vintners to the royals. And revealing the extraordinary ingredients that went into one lavish dish at a royal banquet. - Festivals
E10FestivalsMichael and chef Anna Haugh recreate a 16th-century savoury tart with which a Tudor king broke his Lenten fast. Dr Annie Gray visits the Isle of Wight to discover how much modern Christmas owes to Queen Victoria, and chef Dipna Anand cooks a Diwali sweet that impressed the heir to the throne. - War and Strife
E11War and StrifeMichael Buerk and chef Paul Ainsworth recreate a royal dish that was a staple of wartime palace meals. There is a visit to Britain's oldest brewery, which played an important role during a 17th-century conflict, and chef Rob Kennedy remembers an extraordinary event to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. - Holidays and Travel
E12Holidays and TravelMichael Buerk and chef Anna Haugh fire up the barbecue to cook a favourite dish of Princess Anne. Dr Annie Gray explores the history of ice cream, once the exclusive preserve of kings, and former royal chef Des Sweeney relives his time in the kitchens at Balmoral Castle. - Extravagance
E13ExtravaganceMichael Buerk and chef Paul Ainsworth recreate a dish served at one of the most lavish royal banquets of all time. Dr Polly Russell hears about a 16th-century royal lads' night out that bankrupted England, and chef Michael Caines recreates a sumptuous dish he cooked for the Queen at Royal Ascot. - Young Royals
E14Young RoyalsMichael Buerk and chef Anna Haugh cook 16th-century biscuits, which originally celebrated the birth of a prince of the realm. Dr Matt Green visits Scotland to learn about happy holidays spent at the Queen Mother's childhood home, and former royal chef Des Sweeney recreates a dish inspired by a state visit to Iceland, which became a favourite of the young royals.
