The Cooking Protagonist

Charlotte Bronte's most famous novel Jane Eyre (published 1847), narrates in the first person the journey of the protagonist Jane Eyre to adulthood.  Following a miserable childhood, the orphaned Jane finds self-worth through her work as a governess, becomes independently wealthy following the death of a relative and finally - after a few obstacles along the way - marries the man she loves, her former employer, Mr Rochester.

Early on in her employment at Thornfield Hall, where she is governess to Mr Rochester's ward, Adele, the daughter of his former mistress, Jane is called on to abandon her teaching duties and help with the cooking.  Mr Rochester has been absent from Thornfield for a while, when news comes that he will be returning in three days with a party of "fine people".  All hands are put to work getting the house ready for this distinguished gathering, and Jane is no exception.  As she notes in chapter 17: "Mrs Fairfax (the housekeeper) had pressed me into her service, and I was all day in the storeroom, helping (or hindering) her and the cook; learning to make custards and cheese-cakes and French pastry, to truss game and garnish dessert-dishes."

Mrs Fairfax and Jane Eyre in the 2011 film version of Bronte's novel