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‘Rice à la Sœur Nightingale’ by Charles Elme Francatelli, 1861

Display No. 182

Nightingale was known to be fond of curry and was the inspiration for this recipe, ‘Rice à la Sœur Nightingale’ by Charles Elme Francatelli. He was chief cook to Queen Victoria and later become the chef at the Reform Club. In 1861, he published ‘The Cook’s Guide and Housekeepers and Butler’s Assistant: A Practical Treatise on English and Foreign Cookery’. This book contained his recipe for fish with spiced rice named in honour of Nightingale.

‘The Cook’s Guide and Housekeepers and Butler’s Assistant: A Practical Treatise on English and Foreign Cookery’ by Charles Elme Francatelli

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Nightingale is respected worldwide for her pioneering role in developing the nursing profession, her statistical work, and her evidence-based approach to healthcare. In honour of her bicentenary the World Health Organisation have named 2020 the Year of the Nurse and Midwife.

In our special exhibition, you will find out about objects, people and places which tell interesting stories about Florence’s life and legacy. You’ll discover artefacts from her life, people she both inspired and challenged, and places she helped to shape. There’s many more insights too!

Please click on the different sections of her famous coxcomb diagram to explore various aspects of her life and legacy. We hope you enjoy exploring!