Diana, Princess of Wales, maintained a discerning approach to her diet, particularly when dining without her sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. She’s passionate about eating healthier. Her strong preference for a narrow range of foods provides insight into her wish to eat healthy meals while avoiding meals that may not align with her preferences. Diana has an especially strong aversion to salmon. As a result, this fish has earned a reputation as a superfood packed with omega-3 fatty acids and high-quality protein.
Darren McGrady, former personal chef to Queen Elizabeth II, and later Princess Diana. He adopted a personal culinary revolution to cater to her one-of-a-kind palate. He had a lot of experience crafting sumptuous dishes for the Queen. He soon acclimated and figured out how to whip up a little more delicate cooking for Diana.
“I had to move from cooking food for the Queen – heavy sauces, rich sauces and creams – to start cooking lighter food again, cutting out the fats, cutting out the carbs,” said McGrady.
Diana’s dislike for salmon became evident during an interaction where she remarked, “I’m starving, please tell me it’s not salmon. What is it with salmon and you chefs? Everywhere I go these days, everyone’s serving salmon,” according to McGrady’s recollection. This great reflection speaks to the allure of seeing salmon all of a sudden everywhere on menus, and honestly, it underscores her frustration.
Despite salmon’s reputation as a healthy protein source, rich in omega-3 fatty acids that benefit heart and brain health, Diana’s palate craved variety. McGrady jokingly admitted that his advice to eat more chicken contributed to its dominance in her diet, too. As she would put it, “You take care of all the fats at the gym, and I’ll take care of the carbs.” he added.
Diana’s meals often highlighted a preference for dishes such as a fat-free version of McGrady’s tomato mousse. Her preferences were strikingly opposite from those of her late mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth II, who preferred more heartier fare.
Through McGrady’s expertise, the princess was able to experience an incredible variety of culinary delights. He was always changing menus so that Diana would have different things to eat each day. For example, he would switch the menu every week so that people wouldn’t get bored.
“If she was going out for lunch, the charities [she worked with] would call the palace and say, ‘What does the Princess like? What are her favourite foods?’” – Darren McGrady
The culinary landscape has changed, with most salmon now being farmed, a result of rising global demand and concerns over overfishing. You could go to your local British supermarket and buy a fillet of fresh salmon for £2.50. This price is reflective of how salmon should be available to everyone. Diana’s disinterest serves as a reminder that even widely praised superfoods may not suit everyone’s taste.
