The story of Rosa Lewis, the Duchess of Jermyn Street,听is one of rags to riches. Born in Essex , her parents were tradespeople who sent their daughter into domestic service. She worked her way up to being head of the Duke of Orleans kitchen where she learnt French cuisine.
Always astute, Rosa began cooking for private households, eventually winning the favour of Edward VII. She became so popular amongst the rich and famous she had to employ teams of cooks to meet the demand. By 1902 she could afford to buy her own hotel - The Cavendish in Jermyn Street , which she ran as a kind of exclusive club. It is still a top class hotel today.
