Patricia Espir was born in London and spent much of her early childhood in Egypt. In 1953 she studied domestic science at Winkfield Place under Constance Spry and Rosemary Hume and she went on to write “Middle Eastern Cooking” in 1955, as well as an updated version, “My Family Cookbook”, in 1995.

Espir painted in an impressionistic style and her works included landscapes, portraits and interior scenes. She exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Chelsea Art Show, and had a number of successful solo shows both in the UK and abroad.