Elizabeth Raffald was an amazing woman who lived in 18th century Manchester and is buried here at St Mary's in Stockport and her grave is unmarked. Planning consent has been approved for a plaque to be installed on The Arden Arms, a pub that was built by her family.
She was an innovator, educator, businesswoman and benefactor and produced an 800 recipe cookbook 100 years before Mrs Beeton. She also produced the first ever trade directory for Manchester and supported two newspapers, ran two pubs, set up the first servants' agency in Manchester and innovated many dishes we take for granted now.
For more information about her go to www.elizabethraffaldsociety.org or www.suzeapple.co.uk. A book about her is available in the Stockport Museum, from the Stockport Heritage Trust or on Amazon.