Over a Hot Stove: Life below stairs in Britain’s great houses

Description

Allison & Busby, 2013The charming memoirs of a 1930s kitchen maid. Florence Wadlow died on 9th January 2013, at the age of 100. The Daily Telegraph paid tribute to her with a detailed obituary. Flo was unimpressed by the TV programmes Upstairs, Downstairs and Downton Abbey, saying: 'They have got it wrong. They should have talked to people like me.' This delightful memoir provides a unique 'Upstairs, Downstairs' account of what life was really like in a bygone era. At the age of sixteen, Flo Wadlow left her family to begin what would become a distinguished life 'in service'. Starting as a kitchen maid in London, she soon rose through the ranks and worked at many of England's great houses including Woodhall in Hilgay where she met scullery maid Mollie Moran, author of Aprons and Silver Spoons; Hatfield House and Blicking Hall. By her early twenties, Flo was in charge of the kitchen and cooked for prime ministers and royalty. Including some of Flo's cherished recipes and photographs from her life, Over a Hot Stove is a must-read for fans of Downton Abbey. (Amazon Review)