Bobby Freeman (writer) facts for kids

Bobby Freeman was a talented writer, journalist, TV presenter, and cook. She is famous for her amazing work on Welsh cuisine, which is the traditional food of Wales.

Bobby Freeman's Early Life

Bobby Freeman was born in Bury, Greater Manchester. Her grandparents on her mother's side were from North Wales.

She studied design in Manchester. After college, she taught for a while. Later, she started working in advertising and public relations. She even became the first woman to be an advertising manager in The Midlands region of England.

Opening a Restaurant and Writing Her First Book

In the 1960s, Bobby Freeman opened a hotel and restaurant. It was called The Compton House Hotel and was in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, Wales. She wanted to offer traditional Welsh food to her guests. This made her start researching old Welsh recipes.

In 1980, Bobby Freeman published her first book, First Catch Your Peacock. People described it as a mix of a cookbook and a history book about Welsh food. It was seen as the first book about real Welsh cuisine based on careful research.

Bobby had trouble getting the book published. Some people told her there was "no such thing as Welsh food." They also said the title was "absurd" for a serious book. But Bobby didn't give up! She published her book anyway, and it sold all over the world.

A food critic named Simon Hopkinson wrote about the book. He said it was a joy to read and use. He also thought the book was charming because it was a bit unique. He mentioned recipes like Welsh salt duck and oyster sausages. The book also included the culture and history of Welsh food. It even had a recipe for peacock, just like the title suggests! Many people praised the book.

Editing Books and More Writing

Bobby Freeman also edited several books about Welsh food. One was Lloyd George's Favourite Foods. This book had many traditional Welsh dishes that David Lloyd George, a famous Welsh politician, enjoyed. It was published in 1974. The recipes came from a cookbook first made in 1919 by the Criccieth Women’s Institute. Lloyd George's wife, Margaret Lloyd George, had shared recipes for it.

In 1982, Bobby edited Enid Roberts' Food of the Bards. This book described the food that Welsh poets ate when they visited important Welsh families.

Bobby Freeman had a dream for 20 years. Her dream was to edit The First Principles of Good Cookery. This book was written by Augusta Hall, Baroness Llanover. It was first published in London in 1867. At that time, it was the only Welsh cookbook written in English. Bobby helped republish this rare book in 1991. She wrote a long introduction for it.

Bobby felt a special connection to Lady Llanover. She said, "Though 100 years separate us, I feel we are fellow-spirits, pioneers both." She felt they both had new cooking ideas that might surprise people.

Bobby Freeman wrote eight more books about Welsh food. These books were published by Y Lolfa, a publisher in Ceredigion. Some of her books have old photos from the John Thomas collection at the National Library of Wales.

Journalism and TV Work

In the 1960s and 1970s, Bobby Freeman wrote for several newspapers and magazines. These included the Birmingham Post, Western Mail (Wales), South Wales Magazine, and Y Faner, a Welsh language weekly paper. She also worked for the Wales Tourist Board.

Bobby Freeman also worked on Welsh radio and television. In the 1980s, she presented a film for S4C about the history of Welsh food. This was the first film ever made on that topic!

Cookery School

In 1982, Bobby Freeman started a Welsh Cookery Centre. It was located in the River Teifi valley, near Cardigan. Before this, she had lived in Cardiff for ten years.

Bobby Freeman's Books

• First Catch Your Peacock: The Classic Guide to Welsh Food, Y Lolfa Cyf., 2006. ISBN: 978-0862433154
• A Book of Welsh Bread, Y Lolfa Cyf., 2001. ISBN: 978-0862431372
• A Book of Welsh Country Cakes and Buns, Y Lolfa Cyf., 1988. ISBN: 978-0862431389
• A Book of Welsh Bakestone Cookery, Y Lolfa Cyf., 2007. ISBN: 978-0862431396
• A Book of Welsh Country Puddings & Pies, Y Lolfa Cyf., 2000. ISBN: 978-0862431402
• A Book of Welsh Fish Cookery,Y Lolfa Cyf., 2002. ISBN: 978-0862431419
• A Book of Welsh Soups & Savouries,Y Lolfa Cyf., 2004. ISBN: 978-0862431426
• Welsh Country House Cookery, unknown imprint, 1983. ISBN: 978-0950725475
• Welsh Country Cookery,Y Lolfa Cyf., 2006. ISBN: 978-0862431334

Books Edited by Bobby Freeman

• Freeman, B., Lloyd George’s Favourite Dishes. John Jones Cardiff Limited, Buckingham, 1974. ISBN: 978-0902375321
• Pierce Roberts, Enid, and two others, Food of the Bards, 1350-1650: Verses and Food from Welsh Mediaeval Feasts of the Poets of the Noblemen. 1982. ISBN: 978-0950725437
• Baroness, Augusta Hall, (Freeman, B., editor) The First Principles of Good Cookery. Brefi Press, Tregaron, 1991. ISBN: 0 948537 35 3