Cook

ANN COOK (fl. 1747)

Ann was probably born in the late 17th century 'in a homely cottage'. She worked as a cook and housekeeper before marrying John Cook and keeping, with him and her daughters, the Black Bull in Hexham. After moves to Morpeth and Newcastle they went bankrupt. A feud had arisen with Lancelot Allgood, the brother of Hannah Glasse (1708-70) who wrote the celebrated The Art of Cookery in 1747. Hannah did not write: 'First catch your hare,' but she did say:' Take your hare when it is cased (i.e. skinned). She also wrote The Compleat Confectioner (1742) and The Servant's Directory (1760).

Ann wrote The Professed Cook (2nd edition, Newcastle 1755, 3rd sold by herself from her London lodgings) attacking Hannah furiously and in detail, accusing her of 'fleecing the poor low Servants to get wealth.' She then gives her own recipes.

Myers Literary Guide:	The North-East
ANN COOK (fl. 1747) Ann was probably born in the late 17th century 'in a homely cottage'. She worked as a cook and housekeeper before marrying John Cook and keeping, with him and her daughters, the Black Bull in Hexham. After moves to Morpeth and Newcastle they went bankrupt. A feud had arisen with Lancelot Allgood, the brother of Hannah Glasse (1708-70) who wrote the celebrated The Art of Cookery in 1747. Hannah did not write: 'First catch your hare,' but she did say:' Take your hare when it is cased (i.e. skinned). She also wrote The Compleat Confectioner (1742) and The Servant's Directory (1760). Ann wrote The Professed Cook (2nd edition, Newcastle 1755, 3rd sold by herself from her London lodgings) attacking Hannah furiously and in detail, accusing her of 'fleecing the poor low Servants to get wealth.' She then gives her own recipes.
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