Victorian TV Cook Ruth Mott Dies

We are sorry to announce the death of television cook Ruth Mott, age 95.

Ruth came to the attention of gardeners through the 1980′s BBC Television series The Victorian Kitchen and The Wartime Kitchen & Garden alongside Head Gardener Harry Dodson (died July 25, 2005; age 85)

Her death was announced by her daughter Bertha, “Sadly I have to tell you that Ruth had been unwell for a few weeks, and passed away peacefully on Saturday July 28th.”

Ruth Mott was taken to the hearts of millions of viewers the moment she first appeared in the BBC Television 1980’s series The Victorian Kitchen. The series saw Ruth recreate life within the kitchen of “the big house” as it would have been during the late Victorian era.

Returning to television in the 1990’s Ruth teamed up with Head Gardener Harry Dodson in the series The Wartime Kitchen & Garden and once again brought her warm hearted sense of humour on depth of cookery knowledge to the screen.

In the early 2000’s Ruth become involved in movie production and brought her attention to detail and decades of knowledge to the movie Gosford Park, written by Julian Fellowes, as their Technical Cook Advisor.

The Horticultural Channel television host Sean James Cameron, said: “I had the pleasure of having a very length telephone conversation with Ruth many years ago. She and Harry Dodson first captured my love of gardening and cooking and not a year goes by without me replaying the DVDs of their TV series.

With Harry gone and now Ruth a gap has been left that will never be replaced. However much television producers have ‘presenters’ to recreate those olden days, Ruth and Harry lived through these times and brought a depth of personal knowledge and experience that made the viewer believe they were watching real life. Our deepest sympathy is extended to Ruth’s family. She will always be remembered.”

Fans have been paying tribute to Ruth via the facebook group, Ruth Mott Appreciation Society:
- “Ruth was a wonderful inspiration to lots and lots of people.” Bernie Whittle
- “Very sad news about an inspirational lady whose TV work will always be remembered.” Sonia Nolten
- “How sad – we will all miss her. It feels like the end of an era.” David Barton
- “So sad to hear this, I loved to watch Ruth on Victorian and Wartime Kitchen, I met her once at Basildon Park, lovely lady.” Georgia Gallagher
- “A great lady who has left a legacy ‘for a knowledge of food’ that will not be forgotten.” Pik Vincent
- “She gave so much pleasure to us in her cooking and in her life.” Sue McIlroy