How to Cook the Victorian Way with Mrs Crocombe

Avis Crocombe was a head cook at Audley End House in Essex from 1878 to 1884, and her handwritten cookery book was passed down through her family for generations. How to Cook the Victorian Way is a definitive guide to her life, times, and tastes, featuring fully tested and modernized recipes, a transcription of her original manuscript, insights into daily life at Audley End, and a foreword by Kathy Hipperson.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 24 September 2020
Publisher: English Heritage

Avis Crocombe, a real-life chef who worked at Audley End House in Essex from around 1878 to 1884, has left a lasting culinary legacy. While little is known about her personal life, her handwritten cookery book has been cherished and passed down through her family for generations. In a remarkable turn of events, the book was rediscovered by a distant relative in 2009. The recipes, ranging from familiar favourites like ginger beer, custard, and Christmas cake to the fantastical (roast swan, preserved lettuce, and fried tongue sandwiches), offer a captivating glimpse into the world of flavour from 140 years ago. How to Cook the Victorian Way, a comprehensive guide to the life, times, and tastes of the world's beloved Victorian cook, is the ultimate resource for enthusiasts and foodies alike. This beautifully photographed book features fully tested and modernised recipes, along with a transcription of Avis's original manuscript. It also includes insights into daily life at Audley End by Dr Annie Gray and Dr Andrew Hann, as well as a foreword by Kathy Hipperson, the face of Mrs. Crocombe. The book showcases the finest recipes from Mrs. Crocombe's own book, alongside other popular recipes of the time, allowing readers to recreate their own Victorian meal. It's a delectable smorgasbord of social history, a must-have for fans, foodies, and anyone with a penchant for the past.

Weight: 1310g
Dimension: 200 x 254 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781910907429