The Glasgow Cookery Book : Centenary Edition – Celebrating 100 Years of the Do. School – 9781849340038

“The Glasgow Cookery Book” is a comprehensive cookery book that started its life in 1910 as the textbook of The Glasgow and West of Scotland College of Domestic Science – fondly dubbed the Do (or Dough) School by Glasgow citizens. Based on the 1975 metric edition it makes an excellent reference book for the student to expert. The book was put together by the school’s staff to document the recipes they taught in class.

However, its reputation for dependable and economical recipes ensured that its influence spread far beyond the walls of the Glasgow college. Its practical and reliable cookery advice became famous worldwide. Scottish mothers bought it for daughters and daughters-in-law, and it became an essential purchase for young brides and brides-to-be.

Based on the 1975 metric edition, revised and updated, we’ve taken care to preserve Do. School favourites – such as haggis, pot roast, Dutch roast, cheese scones, Dundee cake, Victoria sandwich, gingerbread and shortbread – while updating for the modern cook. Its practical approach to cooking on a budget is as relevant now as it ever was.

In addition there’s a fascinating preface by Glasgow crime writer Alex Gray. Alex’s Aunt Ella was a student at the college in 1909. Ella Cowan’s own handwritten college jotters survive, are dated 1909, and according to GCU archivist Carole McCallum, are the first definitive proof available that the 1910 book was based on the notes taught in class.

The introduction includes archive photographs and samples from Ella Cowan’s meticulously written books. Carole also contributes an enlightening social history of the college, in an accessible and highly readable introduction to what was known affectionately to students as “The Purple Book”. This book has been updated with the enthusiastic assistance of ex-students and staff of The Queen’s College Glasgow (formerly known as the Glasgow and west of scotland Scotland College of Domestic science).