A. Cook’s Perspective: A Fascinating Insight into 18th-century Recipes by Two Historic Cooks

A fascinating insight into 18th-century cook Ann Cook's vitriolic lambasting of a bestselling cookbook “The Art of Cookery” by Hannah Glasse.

Ann Cook was an 18th-century cook and cookbook author. Her cookbook was printed in three editions and contained more than just receipts. For some reason, she had a real problem with Hannah Glasse’s cookbook, The Art of Cookery: Made Plain and Easy, which had been republished many times during the 18th century and would have been the first port of call for a puzzled cook or housekeeper. Cook’s book included vitriolic comments about a number of Glasse’s recipes.

Historic cooks Clarissa F. Dillon and Deborah J. Peterson use their skills to investigate whether Cook’s remarks were valid. They prepared a number of recipes, both from Glasse and from Cook, and commented on the results. Although a number of people have written about these two women, their emphasis was on the comments, not on the validity of the criticisms. This approach makes this book unique.

© 2025 Brookline Books (Ebook): 9781955041195

Release date

Ebook: 16 January 2025