Reflections on Netflix’s With Love, Meghan
The much-anticipated Netflix show With Love, Meghan premiered yesterday, following a lengthy buildup and numerous delays. One of the first things that struck me is that Meghan Markle has now rebranded herself as Meghan Sussex. In the second episode, she humorously corrects guest Mindy Kaling on this point while they prepare for a children’s party. Their culinary creations include cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches alongside peanut butter sandwiches, all cut into whimsical heart and star shapes and adorned with edible flowers. They also whip up caprese crostini featuring fresh mozzarella and basil, with cherry tomatoes artfully styled to resemble ladybirds, complete with balsamic glaze spots. Oh, how delightful it must be to prepare for a children’s party in a sun-drenched California mansion, wine glass in hand, rather than in a chilly British kitchen late at night after a long day of work and bedtime routines.
I decided to try out Meghan’s whimsical party sandwiches. They are undeniably fun and quite simple to make, though I wonder how many parents would risk using peanut butter at a children’s party given the prevalence of allergies these days. Additionally, I wouldn’t recommend garnishing children’s food with dried flowers; a single speck of something unfamiliar on an otherwise adorable heart-shaped sandwich could easily trigger a toddler tantrum.
The cooking segments of this lifestyle show exude pure California charm, showcasing an abundance of garden-fresh ingredients sourced from the rented house as well as Meghan’s own expansive garden, complete with freshly laid eggs and a bounty of citrus fruits. The conversations drift toward themes of mindfulness, ‘being present,’ and ‘elevating the ordinary’—if not outright transforming the mundane into something extraordinary. While there are chefs present, they employ no overly complicated techniques; the ingredients are splendid, yet there is no overt extravagance. This is what some might call ‘quiet luxury,’ presented at a volume that is anything but subtle. Nevertheless, every dish looks appealing, and I would be more than happy to whip them up myself.
I started with her recipe for “single skillet spaghetti,” a comforting dish made with tomatoes, garlic, spaghetti, and chard. It’s a welcoming recipe, even for basic cooks, including her friend Daniel, who humorously manages to cut himself while slicing a tomato. Before Mindy arrives in the second episode, Meghan fills gift bags for imaginary children with miniature garden tools, seeds, and hand-painted decorative bees. She also constructs a balloon arch. Meghan reveals that she once had a job teaching gift-wrapping techniques, a detail that adds a charming touch to her persona. As they relax in the summer house, enjoying the fruits of their labor over a cup of fresh mint tea served in delicate floral china, Mindy observes the wealth of fresh flowers surrounding them and suggests that all of this could be achieved on a budget.
Meghan describes herself as someone who enjoys taking risks. She mentions that making bread scares her, as does roasting a chicken. Interestingly, she admits to being fearful of the bees she keeps on her property. She lives on the edge—at least in her eyes—by sometimes transferring chopped vegetables by hand to a pan instead of moving the chopping board to the stove. While I don’t want to join the ranks of Meghan’s critics, it’s intriguing to consider what constitutes ‘risk’ for someone leading such a charmed life. To many seasoned cooks, making bread, roasting chickens, and artfully arranging vegetables and fruits on platters hardly seem risky; they are rather homely, endearing, and reliable. Those who truly enjoy cooking understand that it’s not relaxing to follow a recipe while fearing failure. Viewers are unlikely to return if they witness kitchen chaos and dinner party disasters.
Meghan does bring a level of credibility to the show through her choice of guest chefs, many of whom are celebrated in the culinary world yet may be less familiar to the general public. She collaborates with Roy Choi, the Korean-American chef who revolutionized food truck culture, making pickles, kimchi, and fried chicken. She also learns to make chicken tinga—a dish of shredded chicken in a spicy tomato sauce—and ceviche from Mexican chef Ramon Velazquez, all for a casual game of mahjong with friends. These recipes are not only accessible but also explore the rich tapestry of California’s diverse food heritage.
It’s essential to note that Meghan is also in the process of establishing a new business to sell products, having recently rebranded from American Riviera Orchard to As Ever. Throughout the show, she showcases various iterations of her preserves layered with yogurt, fruit, and charming garnishes, discussing the art of jam-making. One of the rare moments where we see her actively cooking—rather than merely chopping or styling—is during the final episode when she prepares crepes for a brunch with friends and family. This is a recipe most Brits can get behind, and it’s likely that many made crepes just yesterday. Rather than attempting pancake flips, Meghan opts for a simple fold with a spatula. “We’re not in pursuit of perfection, but rather the joy of it,” she states as she artfully arranges her crepes into wedges and presents them on a stand alongside dollops of her homemade raspberry jam.
One can’t help but wonder how lucrative the jam business will be for the Sussexes. Perhaps they should receive a commission from the California tourist board for so effectively promoting the region. Meghan offers a vision of simplicity devoid of haste—slow food that requires only the most basic culinary skills, presenting a dreamy lifestyle where time is seemingly limitless, and one can always find a moment to create food with friends. However, what truly feels missing from the show is the depiction of family meals. While it’s understandable that no one expected her to showcase her children on camera, I do yearn for evidence that they enjoy the vegetables she claims they eat. Ultimately, she is selling a lifestyle—her lifestyle—and while she brings in famous guests and reconnects with old friends, there is a noticeable absence of the genuine heart and home that one might expect from such a program.
