Braxton’s Practical Cook Book: Prepared for Economy, Family and Hotel Use

George F. Braxton was a renowned chef, who, among other places, worked at The Algonquin Resort during the late 1800s. Chef Braxton is thought to be the first African-American to lead a kitchen in a luxury resort. The Algonquin Resort began in 1889 in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada, and still exists today as a luxury retreat. Sadly, not a great amount of detail is known about Braxton’s life. He was born in Virginia during the late 1850s or early 1860s. He became the Chef at Wellesley College from 1883 to at least 1886. He led the Resort in Canada during the late 1800s, and it appears that he had moved to Massachusetts around 1900. By then he was widowed, but was remarried to Rose McBride in 1901. He opened up a restaurant in Cambridgeport, Massachusetts around November 1901. It does not appear that he had children. Not much of his life is known afterwards, but the Algonquin Resort recently renamed their restaurant Braxton’s in honor of his memory.