Marguerite Patten

Marguerite Patten (4 November 1915 – 4 June 2015) was a British home economist, food writer and broadcaster. She is best known for her work during the Second World War and post-war period, when she advised the British public on how to make the most of their rationing allowances.

Early life

Patten was born in Bath, Somerset, and grew up in a family that placed a high value on cooking and food. She trained as a home economist at the University of London, and began her career in the food industry in the late 1930s.

Career

During the Second World War, Patten worked for the Ministry of Food, where she was responsible for advising the public on how to make the most of their rationing allowances. She developed a number of innovative recipes that made use of the limited ingredients available, and these were widely disseminated through radio broadcasts and leaflets.

After the war, Patten continued to work in the food industry, and became a well-known figure on television and radio. She wrote numerous cookbooks, many of which focused on traditional British cooking and the use of local, seasonal ingredients.

Patten was awarded the OBE in 1991 for her services to the food industry. She continued to work well into her nineties, and remained a respected figure in the world of food and cooking until her death in 2015.

Legacy

Patten's work during the war and post-war period had a significant impact on British cooking. Her recipes and advice helped to shape the way that the British public thought about food and cooking, and her influence can still be seen in the popularity of traditional British dishes and the emphasis on local, seasonal ingredients.

See also

• British cuisine
• Home economics
• Rationing in the United Kingdom