Elizabeth David - Wonderful Woman No. 60

Elizabeth David - 1913–1992
British Cookery Writer

Added to the album by a wonderful woman called Claire

I had tried to think of a suitable culinary related lady to put in the album but could not come up with anyone I really thought was wonderful. I was so pleased when Claire suggested Elizabeth David, a true kitchen wonder, not to mention a woman full of vigour and adventure! Other female chefs, cooks and culinary writers have since been suggested and feature later in the album but I must say, I think this is the one that I personally see as a woman of wonder... and also maybe something of a kindered spirit.

Elizabeth was a woman who shook off social expectation and was strong-minded and independent from an early age. She studied art in Paris and became an actress before travelling to Italy and then sailing to the Greek islands with her lover (as a British girl having lived in Paris, on a Greek island and now residing in Sicily, you might understand why I feel myself identifying with this woman so much). The two stayed on the Greek island of Syros until the Nazis invaded in 1941, from there they fled to Crete and then to Egypt as the German invasion progressed.

After the war, Elizabeth returned to her native England and began the epic task of transforming the way British people cook and eat. In 1950, whilst rationing continued in the United Kingdom, Elizabeth's A Book of Mediterranean Food was first published.

Most readers could only dream of trying out the crisply instructive recipes. Olive oil was sold at the chemist's shop, garlic did the devil's work; but she includes in her book a method for stuffing a whole sheep. She ushered not only olive oil and garlic, but also aubergines, courgettes and basil on to the stripped-pine tables.
Caroline Stacey, The Independent

In her lifetime, she produced eight cookery books and a further five have been published since her death. She introduced the British cook to the Mediterranean diet, completely changing the way British people regarded cuisine and the dining experience.

Elizabeth also owned a shop and wrote articles for magazines. She was credited with many awards, including two honorary doctorates from British universities, her life has been immortalised both on page and on screen and she continues to be revered as one of the greatest cookery influences in the United Kingdom.

When she began writing in the 1950s, the British scarcely noticed what was on their plates at all, which was perhaps just as well. Her books and articles persuaded her readers that food was one of life's great pleasures... she inspired a whole generation not only to cook, but to think about food in an entirely different way.
Auberon Waugh, Author

Privately, Elizabeth was full of zest for life and was unwilling to meet convention. She took lovers, married a number of times, it appears to me that travel and food were her greatest loves.

In appreciation of the way she changed the British attitude towards food and for the way she lived her life, Elizabeth is a most welcome wonderful woman.

To eat figs off the tree in the very early morning, when they have been barely touched by the sun, is one of the exquisite pleasures of the Mediterranean.
Elizabeth David