TV chef Rachel Khoo has revealed that she undertook a two-week course at Leiths cookery school with none other than the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton.The English chef, writer and broadcaster, best known for her starring role in the BBC Two cookery show The Little Paris Kitchen, even took notes for Kate, who was "ill for a few days".
© Photo: Getty Images"Kate was in my class," Rachel tells Woman magazine. "Kate was ill for a few days, so I took notes for her. She was a lovely person, but she kept herself to herself." A two-week course of the kind that Kate, who is known for her love for cooking, completed at the school in west London normally costs around £1,600. It is thought that the Duchess brushed up on her culinary skills earlier this year.Techniques covered during a one-week course at intermediate level at the renowned school include kitchen tasks such as boning chickens, making reduction sauces, preparing and cooking shellfish, as well as expert skills such as rustling up soufflés, making home-made ice creams and classic sweet French pastries. The course also covers planning and cooking for a canapé party – a skill that the Duchess would no doubt put to good use.
© Photo: Getty ImagesChef novices walk away with expert recipes such as twice-baked goats cheese soufflés, braised guinea fowl with smoked paprika and peppers, ricotta and herb stuffed boned chicken and tarte au citron.The advanced level, meanwhile, sees food fans learn the know-how to recreate mouthwatering recipes such as foie gras and chicken liver parfait, brioche, baked scallops with parsley pesto and chilli oil. Kate isn't the only Middleton with a love for cooking. Her sister Pippa Middleton has also completed a foodie course, opting for the Grange in Frome, Somerset, back in 2002.
"My interest in food really began with a cookery course at the Grange," said the Duchess' sister upon completion of the course, which takes place in the heart of the rolling Somerset countryside. "Food and cooking is at the core of entertaining, and my passion grew and grew from there". A five-day 'food with flair' course at the Grange costs £807, while the four-week Essential Cookery Course ranges between £3360 and £3770.
