Elizabeth Raffald

Arley Hall-geograph-4444710-by-Jeff-Buck

Manchester Mercury - Tuesday 22 November 1763 - page 4

Dedication in the 1769 edition of The Experienced English Housekeeper

First page of the Manchester Street Directory, 1772 (cropped)

Advert for Elizabeth Raffald, Manchester Mercury, 1780

Elizabeth Raffald (1733 – 1781) was a notable English author, innovator, and entrepreneur of the 18th century, best known for her contributions to English cuisine and her pioneering work in domestic management. Her most famous publication, The Experienced English Housekeeper, first published in 1769, is considered a classic in English cookery literature and has been reprinted numerous times since its initial publication.

Early Life

Elizabeth Raffald was born in 1733 in Doncaster, Yorkshire. Little is known about her early life before she moved to Manchester to work for the Warburton family, who were significant landowners in the area. It was during her time with the Warburton family that Raffald honed her skills in cooking and household management, which would later form the basis of her career and publications.

Career

In 1763, Elizabeth married John Raffald, a gardener, and moved to Manchester, where she quickly became a central figure in the city's culinary scene. She opened a confectionery shop, which soon expanded into a catering business, providing food for the city's growing number of public balls and banquets.

Elizabeth's entrepreneurial spirit did not stop with catering; she also established a cooking school, where she taught the art of cookery to young women. Her reputation as an excellent cook and teacher grew, leading to the publication of her book, The Experienced English Housekeeper. The book contained over 800 recipes, including the first recorded recipe for Bride Cake, now known as wedding cake, and was dedicated to Lady Elizabeth Warburton, whom she had served for fifteen years.

Beyond her cookbook, Elizabeth Raffald was instrumental in the development of the first trade directory for Manchester in 1772, a significant achievement that contributed to the city's commercial development. She also ran a successful employment agency for domestic servants, further showcasing her diverse talents and entrepreneurial spirit.

Legacy

Elizabeth Raffald's contributions to English cuisine and domestic management have left a lasting legacy. Her cookbook not only provided a comprehensive guide for the 18th-century housekeeper but also reflected the changing tastes and culinary practices of the time. Raffald's work is often cited as a bridge between the more elaborate cookery of the early 18th century and the more simplified, yet refined, approaches that characterized the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

Her entrepreneurial ventures, particularly her role in creating Manchester's first trade directory, highlight her as a forward-thinking individual who significantly impacted her community. Elizabeth Raffald's life and work continue to be studied and celebrated for their contributions to culinary history and women's history.

Death and Memorials

Elizabeth Raffald passed away on April 19, 1781, and was buried in Stockport. Her grave, once lost, was rediscovered and restored as a tribute to her contributions to English society and cuisine. Today, Elizabeth Raffald is remembered not only for her culinary achievements but also for her role as a pioneering woman in business and publishing.

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