Once a chef at our Saint Michael’s Hospice and at Buckingham Palace, Colin Alderson has been reflecting on his experiences ahead of the coronation weekend.
Colin, who is known and loved by many across our community, including for his legendary biscuits, fondly remembers his ten years at Saint Michael’s.
He says “I absolutely loved working for the Hospice. It was a joy.
“I would go to visit the patients and families in their rooms, and ask what they wished to eat. I seemed to have knack of bringing people together and making them laugh.
“The food we prepared for them made such a difference.
“I still bump into people whose relatives and friends I cooked for, and it’s a pleasure to hear how those meals helped them.”
Before joining Saint Michael’s, Colin was a chef to the royal household, preparing meals especially for her late majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.
Colin remembers “The most wonderful thing was when the Queen would send her page to say ‘tell Colin the soufflé was delicious!’ Her favourites included lamb cutlets with a chicken mousse and cheese soufflé with a special soft centre.”
“It was fabulous.”
Ahead of the coronation weekend, Colin has helped our Leeds Road shop mark the occasion by making a crown and cushion by hand for their window. After 70 hours’ work preparing this memorable centre piece, he is delighted that people have been stopping to take pictures, come into our shop and comment on the display.
We thank Colin and our catering team, who continue to prepare extra special meals to suit each individual’s tastes and abilities, for all their hard work and support. We also thank our retail teams for their creative displays helping bring togetherness to our local communities.
