Talk: Elizabeth Raffald – Before Mrs Beeton, England’s Most Influential Housekeeper
A talk exploring the rise and fall of one of Britain’s most influential cookery writers - Elizabeth Raffald, by Manchester-based food historian Neil Buttery.
- Booking essential
Elizabeth Raffald was once a household name with an incredible list of accomplishments. Starting as the housekeeper at Arley Hall in Cheshire she then transformed the Manchester food scene and business community in the mid-1700s, wrote the first A to Z directory, created the first domestic servant’s registry office, set up a cookery school, ran a high-class tavern, gave birth to sixteen daughters, wrote her bestselling cookery book 'The Experienced English Housekeeper' in 1769, and much more. Find out more about Elizabeth's fascinating life story, which has everything from notoriety and success to a tumultuous fall.
Food historian Neil Buttery brings this now largely forgotten Lancashire (& Cheshire) based cook and high achieving woman back to the public's attention in his talk, with accompanying book, exploring the life, times and legend of the great Elizabeth Raffald of Manchester.
If the talk is fully booked please join the waiting list and we will be in touch if another is organised.
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Event ticket price | £8.00 |
The basics
- Booking details
Call 01282771004
- Suitability
Suitable for adults and young adults
- Accessibility
Talk is in Servant's Hall in the basement down 1 flight of stairs inside, with flat access from outside.
Upcoming events
Gawthorpe Textiles Collection exhibition
A fantastic display of beautiful historic textiles from the collection of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, across five rooms of the Hall.
Talk: Riot and Rebellion! The Power Loom Riots
In April 1826 a group of 1,000 angry handloom weavers began attacking the looms and mills of East Lancashire. Find out more about the power loom riots in this talk marking the bicentennial year.
Presentation: Ladies of Leisure by History Wardrobe
A delightful talk exploring pleasures and pastimes in Jane Austen’s era, featuring marvellous original fashions and lively readings from Austen’s novels.