Follow Colin's journey from being raised on a remote farm in the James Herriot countryside of the Yorkshire Dales to the Yorkshire coast town of Scarborough where he qualified as a chef.

His first appointment was at Castle Bolton, followed by a brief period at the Catterick Army Catering Department before being engaged by the Royal Household as a cook, where he rapidly progressed to become the pastry chef.
After 5 years he left the Royal Household to create his own restaurant in Harrogate. He quickly outgrew the premises, so he moved on to establish a 12 bedroom hotel and restaurant called The Balmoral.

After a while he finally moved and bought an old vicarage, which was lovingly converted into a country house hotel and restaurant filled with antiques, and named The Sandringham after one of the places he worked at.

Colin's presentation will cover his time spent at the Royal Household where he worked at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Holyrood, Sandringham, Balmoral and the Royal Yacht Britannia.

He will talk about the work in the kitchens, catering for state banquets, diplomatic receptions and garden parties. This involves the creation of detailed menus to suit the various occasions and all the procedures needed to produce the exquisite dishes to impress their visitors. It is a fascinating and enlightening journey.

1. Life in the Palace Kitchens
Colin’s talk ranges from the first 3 months trial to ending up as The Royal Pastry Chef travelling from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, Sandringham House, Hollyrood House in Edinburgh and on board the Royal Yacht Britannia each year at Cowes Week, then taking the Western Isles Cruise to Scotland, sailing to Mexico and The Bahamas. Colin takes you on a journey through life where preparing for State visits, setting the banquet tables, the staff fancy dress parties, The Ghillies Ball at Balmoral Castle and receiving their Christmas presents from Her Majesty The Queen becomes everyday life. From The Palace to Balmoral Tales of the hotelier’s life including when the Queen Mother came to stay and her sudden appearance in the middle of the hotel kitchen. You will hear many more stories about the wonderfully famous Balmoral Hotel in Harrogate which Colin owned and ran for several years. There was fun and laughter and a lot of hard work.

2. Christmas With The Royal Household
This is a glimpse into HM The Queen’s Christmas from the food the Royals love, to going to the chapel with The Queen, the gifts and, not forgetting, food the staff prepared for themselves. This is a festive talk given in Colin’s own wonderful style.

3. My Travels With the Queen on Board The Royal Yacht Britannia

4. State Visits Preparing The Tables and Food

5. Balmoral Castle and Life On Deeside in August

6. Windsor Castle, Royal Ascot and The Garden Parties

7. Sandringham House and The Preparations For A Royal Wedding

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.