Nellie Murray (c. 1835-1918) was a caterer specializing in Creole cuisine who was born in a family held as slaves in New Orleans and became internationally recognized after her appearance cooking at the 1893 Chicago World Fair.
Murray was born in about 1835 to parents held as slaves by Paul Octave Hébert, who would later be governor of Louisiana.[1][2] Her mother and grandmother were both cooks living on Hébert's Bayou Goula plantation, and Murray learned to cook from them.[1][3]
Career and impactedit
After Reconstruction Murray created a catering business serving the elite of New Orleans.[1]
Murray gained celebrity status after she served as Chef de Cuisine at the Louisiana Mansion Club at the1893 Chicago World Fair.[3][4] The Times-Democrat, referring to her appearance there, called her "the celebrated cook".[5] According to historian Zella Palmer of Dillard University, as a result of her work at the fair, Murray "became an instant celebrity and society ladies in Chicago, New York, Paris and New Orleans booked her months in advance."[3]
The Daily Picayune in 1894 wrote, "Do you know Nellie Murray? To admit that you do not is confession that you are not a member of the New Orleans Four Hundred."[1] The paper called her the "Queen of New Orleans Creole Cuisine".[3] She made a world tour in the late 19th century.[1]
According to Palmer, by the time of her death Murray had "gained legendary status worldwide".[1][3][4] Palmer called Murray "the most famed caterer of elite New Orleans society".[3]
Murray spoke out against the New Orleans laws segregating street cars.[1]
Personal lifeedit
The 1890 census lists Murray as living on Polymnia Street.[1] She lived for varying lengths of time in Berlin, Bucharest, Paris, Rome, and Vienna.[1]
Murray had children.[2] She died in 1918 at the age of 82.[2]
^ ab"Inside the plight of Louisiana's Black chefs: 'How do I turn my oppressor into my customer?'". WWNO. 16 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
^"World's Fair Louisiana State Building". The Times-Democrat. 28 May 1893. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
January 01, 1970
nellie, murray, 1835, 1918, caterer, specializing, creole, cuisine, born, family, held, slaves, orleans, became, internationally, recognized, after, appearance, cooking, 1893, chicago, world, fair, 1894contents, early, life, career, impact, personal, life, ref. Nellie Murray c 1835 1918 was a caterer specializing in Creole cuisine who was born in a family held as slaves in New Orleans and became internationally recognized after her appearance cooking at the 1893 Chicago World Fair Nellie Murray in 1894Contents 1 Early life 2 Career and impact 3 Personal life 4 ReferencesEarly life editMurray was born in about 1835 to parents held as slaves by Paul Octave Hebert who would later be governor of Louisiana 1 2 Her mother and grandmother were both cooks living on Hebert s Bayou Goula plantation and Murray learned to cook from them 1 3 Career and impact editAfter Reconstruction Murray created a catering business serving the elite of New Orleans 1 Murray gained celebrity status after she served as Chef de Cuisine at the Louisiana Mansion Club at the1893 Chicago World Fair 3 4 The Times Democrat referring to her appearance there called her the celebrated cook 5 According to historian Zella Palmer of Dillard University as a result of her work at the fair Murray became an instant celebrity and society ladies in Chicago New York Paris and New Orleans booked her months in advance 3 The Daily Picayune in 1894 wrote Do you know Nellie Murray To admit that you do not is confession that you are not a member of the New Orleans Four Hundred 1 The paper called her the Queen of New Orleans Creole Cuisine 3 She made a world tour in the late 19th century 1 According to Palmer by the time of her death Murray had gained legendary status worldwide 1 3 4 Palmer called Murray the most famed caterer of elite New Orleans society 3 Murray spoke out against the New Orleans laws segregating street cars 1 Personal life editThe 1890 census lists Murray as living on Polymnia Street 1 She lived for varying lengths of time in Berlin Bucharest Paris Rome and Vienna 1 Murray had children 2 She died in 1918 at the age of 82 2 References edit a b c d e f g h i Palmer Zella 2017 03 01 Queen of Creole Cuisine 64 Parishes Retrieved 2022 05 17 a b c Maloney Ann 4 October 2016 4 essayists win seats at sold out feast honoring Leah Chase NOLA com Retrieved 2022 05 17 a b c d e f Palmer Zella 1 April 2018 Belle New Orleans The History of Creole Cuisineres PDF Journal of Pan African Studies 11 186 a b Inside the plight of Louisiana s Black chefs How do I turn my oppressor into my customer WWNO 16 February 2022 Retrieved 2022 05 17 World s Fair Louisiana State Building The Times Democrat 28 May 1893 Retrieved 2022 05 17 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nellie Murray amp oldid 1198153873, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
