BACK STORY...FBI & HRH LOS ANGELES CA.

It was during a dinner party in London in 1986, that a certain guest was  "beside herself" when the titled hostess announced my plans to go to America the following year..."But why, the highest standing person you can cook for would be their President?", "Why would you choose to leave us?", I tried to explain I was only coming for a holiday......flash forward to Los Angeles March 1988, I was invited by Bullocks Wilshire to cater for the Duke and Duchess of York's first American tour, Luncheon Hat Party in their LA Store, a wonderful 1929 Art Deco building.
In fact I catered for the whole event at their store, part of UK/LA  A Celebration of British Design.

The morning of the royal arrival we had to cater to the world's press, & everyone was scrutinized by the FBI; I was going to be in the royal line-up as I was catering the event...156 people for a luncheon featuring amongst other things, poached salmon and a dessert of blueberries, strawberries and raspberries; some of the journalists wanted to interview the manageress of the restaurant, and the manager of the store etc.
It was only  Richard Rouilard of The  Los Angeles Herald Examiner, who bothered to interview  me (apparently many people in LA said they "knew" the royal couple).
The royal couple were running late, so as many of the special guests walked into the dining room, I (in my chef's whites) and the British Consul were left standing.

Suddenly the doors opened and a hasty Duke and Duchess of York where escorted through the doors towards the restaurant, meeting the British Consul who then escorted the couple... and then giving me a "double take", the Duchess, left Prince Andrew's side, came over to me and said "What on Earth are you doing here John?"..as I explained I was there to cook the lunch she ran into the dining room where everyone had stood up to welcome the couple and brought Prince Andrew back out to meet me; introducing me to him she said " We are guaranteed a great lunch John has cooked for me before".
We all shook hands, and (her then) HRH Sarah and I did a bit of chatting, as the worlds press cameras went mad, the couple went into Lunch; then all the journalists came to interview me but I explained I had a luncheon to prepare.

The next day it was reported that I was London's hottest new chef.
I have known Sarah for over 30 years....all my blogs will be about what brought me  to UK/LA  1988..my background and wonderful catering experiences world wide.