Hello! Karen Vandermeulen here from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. I am not actually sure this would be the correct historical site for my inquiry, but I will post and you can let me know. I sincerely appreciate your time.
I am working on my husband’s genealogy, particularly his great grandfather, Isidore Joseph Breda, born 1881 in Mira, Venice, Italy. At some point he came to Belgium, where he married and was the proprietor of a highly regarded hotel/restaurant named Le Regal in Westende, Belgium in the 1930-40’s.
However, we know that he also worked for or with Crosse and Blackwell in some capacity, which is how I arrived at connecting to you in Britain. I have a very unique photo of him looking very official which is stamped on the reverse with “Graphic Photo Union”, 200 Grays Inn Road, London.
Given the photographer and the theme, I wonder if it could have been taken at some official event that may have been covered by the press.
I am very keen to learn about it and more about “Chef”, so if you might be able to point me in a direction, I would be very grateful.
Thank you kindly,
Karen Vandermeulen
Comments
The Crosse and Blackwell archives are held here and may be worth approaching just in case: https://search.lma.gov.uk/scripts/mwimain.dll/144/LMA_OPAC/web_deta...
A BPH reader has also found a reference to Chef Breda in the Daily Herald, 30 May 1930, col. d.
Hello Dr. Pritchard,
Thank you for forwarding the Daily Herald article to us! Every bit of information is precious to us and exciting to read. Please extend our gratitude to the BPH reader for their kind efforts to search out our dear Chef Breda - it is greatly appreciated!
Grateful regards,
Karen and Michel Vandermeulen (great-grandson of Chef Breda!)
Hi,
I've found the photograph on the British Newspaper Archive site. It was in the Daily Mirror on Friday 4th May 1928.
Best wishes,
Caroline
Hello Caroline, Amazing! We are lost for words! THANK YOU for finding this for us! My husband grew up hearing glowing stories of Chef Breda, but I can say it was completely a lovely surprise for him to see this actual evidence and to have an explanation of what our picture was all about. He is very proud. So remarkable! Your kind efforts are appreciated more than we can say!
Grateful regards,
Karen and Michel Vandermeulen (great-grandson of Chef Breda!)
No problem, I'm glad I could help. Good luck with the rest of your research!
If you double click on the image it enlarges so you can read it easily.
Best wishes,
Caroline
The type is small, so here is what the caption reads: "M. Breda, the principal chef at Messrs. Crosse and Blackwell’s London factory, showing a table well laden with poultry to a large party of the leading chefs in London, including M. Cedart, from Buckingham Palace.”
Warm regards,
Lance A. Lewin
Hello Mr. Lewin, Thank you for taking the time to help with the caption! It is very appreciated. Every bit of information is precious to us.
Grateful regards,
Karen and Michel Vandermeulen (great-grandson of Chef Breda!)