Heimathaus Levern
Henriette Davidis
Henriette Davidis is still considered the most famous cook and cookbook author of the late Biedermeier era. Her Practical Cookbook from 1845 was a must in every German household and is still in print.
Heimathaus Levern
Henriette Davidis
Johanna Friederika Henriette Katharina Davidis was born as a pastor's daughter in Wengern a.d.Ruhr on March 1, 1801. She completed an apprenticeship as a governess and another as a cook. As an unmarried woman, she was active in both professions.
In 1839 Henriette Davidis moved to Levern. Here her uncle ran the Gasthof zur Linde. The inn was located on the stagecoach route between Osnabrück, Minden and Hanover. At the inn, she ran the kitchen. She tried out recipes and entertained the travelers. Some of the recipes from her time in Levern she probably later included in her cookbook. In Levern, Henriette Davidis lived in the parish widow's house. This house from 1696 is still preserved today.