Jocasta Innes

After a spell at a Coptic convent in Cairo, she was educated at Bedford High School from 1949 and Girton College, Cambridge, where she read Modern Languages.

A self-taught cook, who idolised Elizabeth David, she was determined to show that making great food does not depend on buying expensive ingredients or having special expertise.

This was followed by The Pauper’s Homemaking Book in 1976[6] which took the same democratic approach to interiors and The Country Kitchen[7] which dealt with old-fashioned rural British cookery and crafts – Damson Cheese, curing hams in saltpetre and parsnip wine.

At a time when DIY meant rawlplugs and melamine kitchen units, Innes introduced middle England to a world of pelmets and passementerie.

The company, of which Innes was chief executive,[9] pioneered innovative ready-made paint finishes for customers to try out at home as well as giving popular decorating classes.