Not Such a ‘Bad Speculation’: Women, Cookbooks and Entrepreneurship in Late-Nineteenth-Century Australia

The late nineteenth century saw the emergence of a distinct cookbook publishing industry in Australia. These books found their way into every Australian home and were aimed almost exclusively at women. The publishing industry relied on women authors and editors to create material to satisfy the increasing demand for these books. This chapter examines the work and lived experience of women cookbook authors in Australia during the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. For many of these authors, cookbook writing and publishing was an activity undertaken for profit and a way to promote their other entrepreneurial activities. These authors utilised their entrepreneurial skills and business acumen to further their careers and played a significant role in the development of the Australian publishing industry.