Meghan Markle wanted to be ‘TV chef like Gordon Ramsay’ before marrying Prince Harry, claims talent agent

MONTECITO, CALIFORNIA: Long before Meghan Markle became the Duchess of Sussex, she had dreams of becoming a household name in the lifestyle and culinary space, this was before she married Prince Harry.

According to talent agent Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE, Markle reportedly envisioned a career in the culinary world, aspiring to be "a TV chef like Gordon Ramsay," as per Daily Mail.

Talent agent reflects on Meghan Markle’s TV potential

Professor Jonathan Shalit, Chairman of InterTalent Rights Group, recalls meeting Meghan Markle nearly a decade ago when she was already making waves in 'Suits'.

Discussions ranged from reality TV opportunities like 'Strictly Come Dancing' to more mainstream hosting gigs such as in 2016, she appeared as a guest judge on the cooking show 'Chopped Junior', but Markle's passion lay elsewhere.

"At the time of meeting Meghan nine years ago, I saw her as someone whose career was only going to grow and grow," he shared with the Daily Mail, and recalled that she said, "I want to be a TV celebrity chef like Gordon Ramsay."

Shalit firmly believed, "If Meghan hadn't married Harry, she would already be hosting major TV series and continuing her successful acting career."

"I am glad to see she is successfully pursuing her dreams. Her interest in cooking was immense and, from what I am seeing now, clearly a great skill of Meghan’s," the talent agent continued.

"Meghan is delightful, likable, compelling and authentic. There is no reason why Meghan’s success will not grow and grow," he stated.

According to Royal biographer Tom Bower, Markle's specialties at the time when Shalit met the Duchess, included plain pasta, roast chicken, hamburgers, steak and "blender-made vegetable soup."

"The rest of her food was brought ready-made," the author wrote in his book 'Revenge', adding, "Rather than cook, she imagined touring the world tasting food."

Thereafter, Markle was offered an audition for 'Strictly Come Dancing' by Professor Shalit after the idea of a cooking show did not materialize, but scheduling conflicts with 'Suits' prevented her from accepting.

Meghan Markle’s culinary dreams come to life with Netflix’s 'With Love, Meghan'

Now, almost a decade later, Meghan Markle is making those culinary dreams a reality.

Her upcoming Netflix series, 'With Love, Meghan', is set to premiere on March 4, bringing her love for food and lifestyle to the forefront.

'With Love, Meghan' will feature the Duchess of Sussex as she "reimagine[s] the genre of lifestyle programming," with guests joining her to roll "up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same," as per the Netflix promotional material.

The eight-episode series, featuring guest appearances from 'The Office' star Mindy Kaling, gourmet chef Roy Choi, and legendary restaurateur Alice Waters, promises a unique glimpse into Markle's world.

The show was initially slated for an early 2025 release but was postponed due to the Palisades wildfires that ravaged California- where Markle, Prince Harry, and their two children reside.

Taking to Instagram on January 12, Markle expressed her gratitude for the delay, stating, "I'm thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California."