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Friday, January 11, 2013

Mrs. Salisbury's Stove


Tales, advice, recipes and tips from a House Kitchen

     Through my years in service, starting out as a kitchen maid, then the cook’s assistant, then Head Cook at a respectable House in Lincolnshire were I remain today, I’ve seen a good many things. But, if there’s one truer than true thing I can tell you, it’s that us cooks are indispensable. I can’t think of a single House – not one worth its salt anyway – without a cook. Maids come and go. Valets are out the door as soon as a gentleman learns he can dress himself. But a cook, she’s the backbone of any good House. A family’s got to eat. Can’t get anything done without eating. And the rest of a House service staff can’t run on an empty stomach either.
     We’re so indispensable, were dispensable. I once knew a woman who lost her position because she went to go see her mum on her death bed. The mistress couldn't boil water if she tried. She was clueless and sacked the cook because she was so mad. If a Lady wants to have a dinner party, she won’t get far with her guests without a skilled cook at the stove. So, all you girls, if you’re going into the noble profession of service, aim for cook. So long as nobody else goes hungry, you’ll never go hungry.
               
  Yours in cooking,
                Mrs. Salisbury

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