‘Cooking is a way to connect with our roots and tradition’
Elizabeth David
Elizabeth David needs very little by way of introduction. David was probably the most influential cook and food writer of the mid-to late twentieth century; her work, it can be argued, has changed the way we cook and, in general, the way in which we view food and drink today.
Elizabeth David, in addition to her writings, travels and cookery, was a friend to many contemporary writers and noteworthy individuals of her time. The list is long, but includes, amongst others, Lawrence Durrell, Patrick Leigh Fermor, Freya Stark, Norman Douglas, Alan Moorehead, Patrick Kinross and Olivia Manning.
Given the above, it seems appropriate that there should be a website dedicated not only to Elizabeth David but to her friends and to mid-twentieth century cookery writing, foods and culinary endeavours. It was with this in mind that the Elizabeth David Matters website was established.
This website started with a small advertisement in the ‘London Review of Books’, seeking to set up an Elizabeth David Society. The response was overwhelming, with replies from ‘the great and the good’ and many individuals who had a profound interest in the life and work of Elizabeth David, as well as those who were simply curious.
Establishing a society proved to be a bureaucratic quagmire and in order to progress the project and bring Elizabeth David and her friends back to those who wished to be further involved with the legacy that surrounds her, Elizabeth David Matters was created in order to enable the development and funding of the project. Bookswarm, a website agency specialising in creative sites for authors and publishers, was commissioned to design and support this website.
We aim, quite simply, to discuss and promote, on this site and beyond, all things ‘Elizabeth David’. We welcome contributions and scrutiny of her work, her life and that of those associated with her.
This is stage one, which we anticipate will allow us to offer, in the future, culinary and travel events and to source authentic products favoured by Elizabeth David but which may be more difficult to obtain today.
We hope that you will enjoy this website and welcome your involvement with this project, be it an article, a donation or simply a comment or two.
Rowan Carstairs and Anouska Carstairs
‘A well-cooked meal can transport you to another time and place’
Elizabeth David
