THE WOMAN CHEF

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 256, 25 July 1936, Page 21

THE WOMAN CHEF

The rise of the woman chef is among the topics of conversation at fashionable London dinner tables just now. Kitchens of some of the important town houses, where the art of dining still flourishes, have come under the sway of women who are stars in their own particular firmament. Several Royal dinner-tables, states a London journal, are in the charge of women chefs. The King, it is understood, may retain his woman cook at one of his residences. His sister, the Princess Royal, has a Yorkshire woman, Mrs, Shaw, to cook for her at Harewood House, and at No. 32 Green Street. The Duchess of York also employs a woman cook. Women who have made their name in the culinary world almost invariably prove- to be chef-trained. One of the foremost, is Mrs. Sully, who has been chef to Lord and Lady Rosebery for many years and is noted for her skill in preparing banquets. Several of the remaining great town houses are catered for by women chefs. Seaford House, Lord Howard de Walden’s home, is one; another is Londonderry House. For years Bath House had a name for the dishes prepared by Lady Ludlow’s cook, Miss Owen, who has now retired. She is, however, still keeping up her interest in cookery by traveling in order to study the cuisines of different countries.

Present-day labour restrictions have helped to give the woman chef her chance. Diplomats are the only hosts who may now bring new continental ■chefs to the West End. The clubs are absorbing the ablest English men chefs. Among the most notable French chefs of to-day are JI. T. Fourle, who presides over the kitchens at Lady Ellerman’s house in South Audley Street. His collection of pictures painted on crab shells includes one of the Princess Royal, done from life when she lived next door at Chesterfield House.

One of the youngest of the star Chefs is M. Mayou, who is now in charge of the Duke of Kent’s kitchens and accompanies him to Iver.