15 Pieces of History That Victoria Did Differently

Ferdinand Kingsley and Nell Hudson in “Victoria” (Photo: (C) ITV Plc)

The Real Francatelli Was a Bit Different

Victoria’s Buckingham Palace chef, Mr. Francatelli, is also based on a real life person. Though, once again, the television version of the character is a bit different from the actual version. The real Charles Elmé Francatelli was a leading chef in Victorian London. And he did serve as Queen Victoria’s Chief Cook and Maitre d’Hotel. But he only worked for the queen for two years.  And he didn’t make her massive wedding cake either. Despite the fact that the show features a scene of Francatelli agonizing over this 300-pound creation, the real man didn’t come to work for the queen until March of 1840. Victoria and Albert got married in February of that year. And he certainly had a much bigger staff (24 assistant chefs and many scullery maids) in the royal kitchen than the show depicted.

Francatelli’s reason for leaving Buckingham Palace are unclear. Rumor had it that he was unhappy – either with the poor state of the kitchens or general low pay. It’s also very possible that the Queen and Prince Albert wanted preferred plain English food to his more complicated dishes. Afterward, he went on to work at the Coventry House Club, the Reform Club, and the St. James Hotel. The real Francatelli even served as chef de cuisine to the Prince and Princess of Wales at Marlborough House in the 1860s.

Franctelli also published multiple cookbooks, one of which included menus for some of the lavish palace dinners he created. Another featured more economical recipes for working or poor families. Here’s a good look at some of his writings, menus and culinary advice. His books were all very successful.  The Modern Cook went through twelve editions and remains in print to this day. Francatelli was not only the most famous chef in the nation, he was probably the first “celebrity chef” of his day. So at least our TV version still has a bright future ahead.