Charles Elmé Francatelli

Charles Elmé Francatelli (1805–1876) was an Italian-English culinary artist and author, best known for his cookery books popular in the Victorian era.

Early Life

Francatelli was born in London in 1805, to Italian parents. He studied in Paris under the famous chef Marie-Antoine Carême, who is considered one of the pioneers of French gastronomy.

Career

After his training in Paris, Francatelli returned to England where he worked in various aristocratic households, including that of the Earl of Chesterfield, Lord Kinnaird, and Baron de Rothschild. He served as the chief cook to Queen Victoria from 1840 to 1842.

Francatelli is best known for his cookery books, which were widely read in the Victorian era. His most famous works include The Modern Cook (1845), A Plain Cookery Book for the Working Classes (1852), and The Cook's Guide and Housekeeper's & Butler's Assistant (1861). These books not only provided recipes but also offered advice on household management and meal planning.

Legacy

Francatelli's influence on English cookery and his contribution to the culinary literature of the Victorian era is significant. His books are still in print and continue to be used as reference works in the study of English culinary history.

See Also

• List of chefs
• Victorian era
• Culinary Arts