From royal party co-ordinator to restaurant owner: Sidonia McConaghy

The owner of patisserie north of Brisbane has recalled the “amazing experience” she had with late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Buckingham Palace to Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

The owner of patisserie north of Brisbane has recalled the “amazing experience” she had with late Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace.

Newport mum Sidonia McConaghy now owns Sidoniè Patisserie Boulangerie on the Redcliffe peninsula but she once co-ordinated garden parties with the royal family.

Ms McConaghy, 43, has met the Queen, worked at the G20 summit in 2009, managed restaurants on Carnival Cruise Lines and now manages her own little slice of paradise.

An afternoon at Sidoniè. Picture: Sidoniè Patisserie & Boulangerie

Mrs McConaghy came to London in 2006 to work at Her Majesty’s Treasury.

“One of the highlights that I experienced during my time at HM Treasury was the

G20 summit, I had a role in co-ordinating and managing that summit,” she said.

“It was an amazing experience.

“I was able to work at high-profile events with the Prime Minister and cabinet during

my time there.”

While working at Her Majesty’s Treasury, the company she worked for, CH&Co, became the preferred choice for co-ordinating Royal family events at Buckingham Palace.

“I ended up being offered the opportunity to work at Buckingham Palace, and I was

overjoyed.

“A very big surprise that came at the end of organising the parties was that the Queen herself came and thanked us in person for looking after her guests and for managing those events well,” she said.

“The fact that they had the Queen thank us come to everyone individually, and chat with

us … it was absolutely the most beautiful moment ever.”

Coffee at Sidoniè. Picture: Sidoniè Patisserie & Boulangerie

“Besides that, we were also invited inside the palace after the events, so after the Queen

thanked us, the assistant master of household came in person and invited us inside

Buckingham Palace for a champagne reception.

“We were treated to a glass of champagne and canapes. It felt so beautiful that we were valued, and the royal family thanked us in person and invited us into their home.”

While Mrs McConaghy doesn’t have as much time as she used to she said she likes to keep up to date with the royal news and only has happy memories of her time at Buckingham Palace.

Mrs McConaghy credits her time in Europe as the inspiration behind her restaurant.

“In Europe, since you were a little child, your parents treat you to a trip to the

patisserie, and you could try a little hot chocolate and a cake every time you go,” she said.

“When I was a little girl, I just wanted to live in one of those patisseries.

Choux at Sidoniè. Picture: Sidoniè Patisserie Boulangerie

“I want everyone to have the experience I did when I was a little girl.

“Sidoniè is about being able to come into this beautiful place, sit down, enjoy the

view, the food and the drinks and just take a moment for yourself and make this

your favourite place.”

Sidoniè Patisserie Boulangerie at Newport is open seven days a week from 6.30am to 2.00pm.