CHAWTON House Library is to host a talk and signing event for Sophia Waugh’s latest book.

Cooking People: The Writers Who Taught The English How To Eat focuses on five female writers who have revolutionised home cooking.

Sophia Waugh, the granddaughter of Evelyn Waugh, is the author of four novels and a biography. 

Waugh will talk about the differences – and the similarities – between cooking several centuries ago and now, from Hannah Woolley who was the first woman to make a living from cookery writing, to Isabella Beeton and Elizabeth David.

Eighteenth century writer, Hannah Glasse, is also featured in the book and an original eighth edition from 1763 of her best-known work, The Art of Cookery, is held in Chawton House Library’s 1600 to 1830 collection. The study centre is also home to rare manuscripts by authors including Jane Austen.

The event, which includes a cookery demonstration and an exhibition of original cookery books from the seventeenth and eighteen centuries, takes place on Saturday, March 22, from 2.30pm until 4.30pm at Chawton House Library in Chawton, Hampshire.

Chawton House is more than 400 years old and is regularly open to visitors, alongside library readers, for tours and during public events.  It also runs educational and outreach projects with schools and colleges and fosters links internationally.

Find out more online at chawtonhouse.org.