Elizabeth Raffald 1733-81
"Mrs Raffald was an extraordinary person and deserves to have her name rescued, however imperfectly, from oblivion, and to be recorded as one of our Manchester authors and worthies of the eighteenth century."
Manchester Guardian 1852
Elizabeth Raffald was an 18th century domestic goddess and serial entrepreneur
Author of The Experienced English Housekeeper in 1769, a major cookbook of 800 recipes, that went into 40 editions
Set up Manchester's first servants agency in 1763
Confectionery shop owner
Founded a cookery school
Confectioner extraordinaire
Dinner party supervisor
Original compiler of Manchester's first directory in 1772, second in 1773 and third in 1781
Newspaper proprietor
Innkeeper
Innovator
Mother of nine children
Benefactor to the poor
Practised French in her spare time!
For the full story see The Experienced English Housekeeper of Manchester by Suze Appleton or for more information about her click here
We've been on TV!! Channel 4's Extreme Cake Makers featured Elizabeth Raffald in their show on Sept 22nd 2019
The programme was filmed in April 2019 at Arley Hall in Cheshire, at a commemoration party to celebrate the 250 year anniversary of Elizabeth Raffald's 1769 cookbook, The Experienced English Housekeeper, which included the first appearance of a recipe for Bride Cake. Suzanne Thorp, of The Frostery, Oldham, made a fantastic cake in tribute to the early wedding cake pioneer and Suze Appleton recreated the role of Elizabeth for the occasion in a dress made to replicate the one worn by Elizabeth in the only representation of her that exists.
Read more on The Frostery blog page
Read more on The Frostery blog page
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New book now out! The Manchester Directories 1772, 1773 & 1781 by Elizabeth Raffald, with an introduction by Suze Appleton print version available on Amazon here For a full list of books about her go to Books |
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Elizabeth is finally commemorated in Stockport where she was buried!
The plaque to Elizabeth is now installed at The Arden Arms in Stockport, the pub built by Elizabeth's nephew in 1815. The plaque was funded by generous donations from local people and in memory of two people in particular. One is Roy Shipperbottom, an earlier biographer of Elizabeth Raffald, and the other is Connie Jackson, a fifth generation direct descendant of Elizabeth, given by members of the sixth generation. The plaque was handed to Dennis Robinson, of Frederic Robinson Ltd who has supported the campaign throughout. It was fixed to the front wall of the Arden Arms and the official unveiling was held on March 3rd, the anniversary of Elizabeth and John's wedding day in 1763. |
Handing over the plaque at Robinson's visitor centre
L-R, Dean Fitzpatrick, local councillor for education; Anne Kelly of The Heatons WI; David Jackson, 6th generation descendant; Dennis Robinson; Olga Shipperbottom; Suze Appleton, co-ordinator and biographer; Sheila Booth of The Heatons WI; Margaret Hope, 6th generation descendant and her husband, Brian Hope.
L-R, Dean Fitzpatrick, local councillor for education; Anne Kelly of The Heatons WI; David Jackson, 6th generation descendant; Dennis Robinson; Olga Shipperbottom; Suze Appleton, co-ordinator and biographer; Sheila Booth of The Heatons WI; Margaret Hope, 6th generation descendant and her husband, Brian Hope.
