A former RAF chef has revealed Prince William’s favourite snack – a whopping burger fit for a king costing just £5.99.
The ‘Royal Welsh Lamb Burger‘ is a hefty half-pounder flavoured with a dash of mint sauce and paprika – and topped with Snowdonia cheese, bacon AND a fried egg.
The 450-calorie treat – with salad and chips – became William’s meal of choice when he was based at RAF Valley on Anglesey.
It was specially created for him by chef Gareth Matheson in the officers’ mess – who then cooked it several times a week.
William told Gareth the hearty meal filled him up before his long night shifts and stopped him snacking.
Gareth, 31, said: “It was William’s absolute favourite.
“Whenever he was on shift he would always ask for it. When he was working nights he would always ask for me to do another one for throughout the night.
“He liked the idea that we were using all local and fresh produce.
“He liked a little bit of spice but not too much. He doesn’t like curries and things like that.
“I suggested it to him, he said he would give it a go and since then he never really looked back.
“He tried it and loved it and he would have it a couple of times a week. I thought he was going to turn into a burger at one point.
“It is a lot but he used to tell me that because it was a big meal, a good meal, it used to fill him up over the night shift so he wouldn’t snack.”
The Prince discovered the burger while he was based at RAF Valley between 2010 and 2011.
Gareth, who was stationed there between 2007 and 2014, said he also enjoyed the lasagne and roast dinners.
The burger was such a hit Gareth has taken the recipe with him to his new job at the Road King restaurant on Anglesey where it costs #5.99 with chips and a side salad.
He added: “When I am cooking I always try to use local produce wherever possible and the Welsh Lamb burger was my special when working at RAF Valley.
“I just had a little brainwave and thought Welsh lamb, why not? It was all about quality and local produce.
“I started when I was in RAF valley because they had local contracts with local foods. It went down well but not as well as when Prince William started eating it.
“When he liked it, everybody seemed to like it.
“I’ve taken the burger with me to Road King, they love it but they didn’t know it was Prince William’s favourite recipe until now.
“We will start selling more of them now.
“Now I’ve made my recipe available for everyone to cook and enjoy over the summer on their BBQs, hopefully many more people can enjoy a taste of – it comes by royal appointment.”
Gareth unveiled his royal recipe yesterday at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells:
Ingredients for four burgers:
750g Welsh Lamb mince
1 red onion finely chopped
2 tbsp mint sauce
1 garlic clove finely chopped
2 tbsp mixed herbs
3 tbsp paprika
Ground black pepper to taste
4/6 slices of Snowdonia cheese
4-6 slices of welsh cured bacon
4-6 eggs
Method:
Pre heat oven – 170c
Place all ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix with hands until all bonded together.
Form into patties and bake for 20-30 mins (depending on size) or until golden brown and cooked through completely.
Serve on a brioche bun and serve with optional Snowdonia Cheese and Welsh Bacon.
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