Alexis Soyer (1810 - 1858)

Alexis Bénoit Soyer was a French-born 'celebrity chef', devising innovations such as water-cooled refrigerators and adjustable temperature ovens. He developed many popular recipes and catered for 2000 guests at Queen Victoria's coronation celebration. He had a social conscience and donated a penny for every meal sold, to help alleviate the Irish famine. During the Crimean War, he laid the foundations for the future British Army Catering Corps.