Marguerite Patten, OBE (born Marguerite Brown on 4 November 1915, in Bath) is an English home economist, food writer and broadcaster.

Contents 1 Early life and career 2 Second World War 3 Television 4 Honours 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Early life and career

She was born in Bath and grew up in Barnet, Hertfordshire. When she was 13 it fell to her to cook for the family when her father died and her mother had to return to work as a teacher. After leaving School and a cooking course Marguerite was employed as a home economist at the Eastern Electricity Board. She then worked as an actress in repertory theatre for 9 months and for Frigidaire promoting the benefits of the refrigerator as a senior home economist.

[edit] Second World War

During World War II she worked for the Ministry of Food suggesting nourishing and inventive recipes using the rationed food that was available. She broadcast her ideas and advice to the nation on a BBC radio programme called the Kitchen Front. When the war ended she demonstrated kitchen appliances for Harrods.

[edit] Television

She was one of the earliest 'celebrity chefs', presenting her first television cookery programme on the BBC in 1947. She has sold 17 million copies of her 170 books, and continues to contribute to BBC food programmes to the present day.

Her approach to cookery instruction included teaching essential knowledge and skills needed in the kitchen. Her advice and books were instrumental in improving the quality of British cookery in the post-war years, when rationing meant that more exotic dishes were impossible to prepare.

[edit] Honours

She was awarded the OBE in 1991 for 'services to the art of cookery'. In 2007, she received the Woman of the Year award, Lifetime Achievement Award^[1].

[edit] References

1. ^ Women of The Year

[edit] External links

• Biography at Celebrity Chefs UK
• Marguerite Patten on BBC Radio 4 (includes sound clip)
• Practically Edible biography

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