Penelope Bradshaw

Penelope Bradshaw (?–1754?) was a British compiler of a cookery book which was known under a variety of titles including The Valuable Family Jewel and Bradshaw's Valuable Family Companion.

Life Hardly anything is known about Penelope Bradshaw apart from her cookery book which went under various titles including "The Family Jewel" and "Bradshaw's Valuable Family Companion". There are a few facts about her included in her work but much of the information is created to market the book. It is claimed that she had a long career looking after aristocratic families which may be true.

There are many editions of her book which vary in title, length and the negligent claims of being the such and such edition. However, there is one book which appeared first (as the "10th edition") in 1748 and it was re-titled, re-packaged and re-created until the final version in 1754 when the author is thought to have already been dead. and Johnson makes only minor adjustments to conceal the fact that she borrowed from the book. Bradshaw would take one of Glasse's recipes from her (more successful) book and then she would double all the ingredients or halve them. The first edition contained few original recipes but more were added in later versions.