Who is the head cook at Downton Abbey?

Mrs. Patmore is the head cook at Downton Abbey. Played by Lesley Nicol, Beryl Patmore runs the kitchen and supervises the servants who prepare meals for the Crawley family and their guests.

Her demanding standards often lead to comic arguments, especially with Daisy, the scullery maid who later becomes her assistant. Patmore can be sharp-tempered, but she is also protective of Daisy and treats her with an almost maternal affection. Her authority is distinct from Mrs. Hughes's: Mrs. Hughes manages the female household staff, while Mrs. Patmore leads the kitchen.

Patmore's story also reflects the changing world around Downton. She struggles with new appliances such as mixers and refrigerators, and a cataract temporarily threatens her ability to work. After receiving an inheritance, she opens a bed-and-breakfast in the village while continuing her connection with the Abbey. A common mix-up is to choose Daisy Mason, but Daisy is an assistant cook for much of the series, not the kitchen's senior cook.