Catharine Brooks of Red Lion Street, Stamford, in the century before Mrs Beeton’s Book of Household Management came on the scene, wrote a cookery book that was available nationwide.
‘This day is published, (Price only One Shilling) Adorned with a most beautiful Frontispiece, and other useful Cuts, being the most plain, cheap and easy Book of the Kind ever yet published.)
The Complete English Cook ; or, PRUDENT HOUSEWIFE.
Being an entire New Collection of the most Genteel, yet least Expensive Receipts in every Branch of Cookery and good Housewifery, viz.
| Roasting, | Fricaseys, | Potting, |
| Boiling, | Pies, Tarts, | Candying |
| Stewing | Puddings, | Collering, |
| Ragoos | Cheesecakes, | Pickling, |
| Soups, Sauces, | Custards, | Preserving, |
| Made Dishes, | Jellies, | Made wines, &c |
Together with the Art of Marketing, and Directions for placing Dishes on Tables for Entertainments ; and many other Things equally necessary.–The whole made Easy to the meanest Capacity, and far more Useful to young Beginners, than any Book of the Kind extant.
By CATHARINE BROOKS, of Red-Lion-street.
To which is added, the PHYSICAL DIRECTOR ; Being near Two Hundred safe and certain Receipts for the Cure of most Disorders incident to the Human Body. Also.
The whole art of Clear-Starching, Ironing, &c.
London : Printed for the AUTHORESS, and Sold by J. COOKE, No. 17, in Paternoster-row ; and by most other Booksellers in England.
Of whom may be had, Price One Shilling.‘
Stamford Mercury, 13 January, 1783.