Do you and your book club friends eagerly await new seasons of Top Chef or The Great British Baking Show? Perhaps you’re seeking a unique alternative to the traditional book club experience, or you’re just looking to spice things up. If so, you might be ready to start your own cookbook club!
While the traditional book club has been around since the 1880s, the popularity of book clubs has spiked in recent years. Millennials and Gen Z readers are now increasingly putting book clubs at the center of their social calendars. As a result, the definition of a book club has also evolved, encompassing a range of activity-based bookish gatherings. One of our favorites, of course, is the cookbook club.
A cookbook club is like a traditional book club, but with an extra dash of experiential fun — and a whole pantry full of potential cookbooks to choose from.
That’s why we put together our guide to help you and your friends turn up the heat and serve the perfect cookbook club!
What is a cookbook club?
A cookbook club is similar to other types of book clubs, save for a key difference. Instead of gathering to chew over a gripping thriller or memoir, you dig into a cookbook.
Cookbook club members select a cookbook and choose a recipe from it to prepare for the next get-together. At the meeting, you share your impressions of the cookbook, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your chosen recipes, and, most importantly, sample everyone’s dishes.
Why should I start a cookbook club?
Cookbook clubs serve as ideal gatherings for adventurous foodies, friends looking to get out of a cooking rut, or anyone who wants to liven things up in and out of the kitchen.
After all, food is life. Cookbook clubs are perfect for reconnecting with old acquaintances and making new friends over a shared meal. They foster community, improve your culinary skills, and expose you to new flavors and cuisines. Even if you’re a DoorDash enthusiast who primarily uses the oven to store sweaters, you might be surprised how much fun you’ll have in the kitchen with the right recipe and good company.
What’s more, cookbook clubs offer a low-pressure way to host a dinner party — and a budget-friendly opportunity to try out tasty new recipes or explore a cookbook you’ve been meaning to open.
How often should my cookbook club meet?
That depends on the needs and desires of your group. You might choose to start a brand-new cookbook club that meets once a month, or you could sweeten your existing traditional book club schedule with a cookbook club week.
You could also set your cookbook club to the rhythms of the year: We love the idea of a seasonal cookbook club that celebrates the flavors of winter, spring, summer, and fall. Alternatively, consider hosting holiday-themed club parties for July 4th, Halloween, or Thanksgiving.
How formal should my cookbook club be?
As formal as you’d like! Perhaps you and your group yearn for the glamorous dinner parties of yesteryear. If so, hosts might decide to go all out with elegant tablescapes, mood music, and a chic dress code. On the other hand, your friends might prefer to throw a far more casual picnic cookbook club party where everyone gathers at your favorite public park. All that matters is getting together with friends and sharing homemade food.
What else should I consider regarding the cookbook club?
With any book club, organization is key. To keep everyone on the same page — and ensure dietary restrictions and allergies are clearly noted — consider running your cookbook club through a centralized communication channel, such as a shared document or group text. You could also set up a Discord or Slack channel, start a private Facebook group, or explore signing up for an account with one of the numerous book club apps and websites available.
We recommend discussing these options with your group before your first meeting. For more help, check out our How to Start a Book Club essay for a comprehensive rundown of book club logistics and tips.
Here are a few cookbook club–specific tips to keep in mind:
- Plan your guest list carefully.
When everyone’s bringing a dish, you need to know who’s coming to the table. Ask yourself: Do you prefer a large group or an intimate gathering for your event? What dishes will everyone be serving, and how much food will you need to feed the entire group?
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You may wish to start small, inviting just a few fellow cooks to your first gathering to try things out, then grow your crew once you get the hang of things.
- Measure your comfort level.
Perhaps you and your cookbook club members are experienced cooks ready to elevate your kitchen game. Or maybe you’re just beginning your cooking journey and looking for basic cooking lessons to enjoy together.
Assess your group’s abilities and ambition to pick the right book. What cooking styles and cuisines interest you? How comfortable are you in the kitchen (be honest)? Do you want to stick to pantry staples or challenge yourself to try something new?
- Apportion your recipes ahead of time.
The last thing you want is five people showing up with the same main dish! Establish ground rules ahead of time to divvy up the cooking and minimize overlap. In some cookbook clubs, the host cooks an entrée and guests choose an appetizer, side dish, or dessert.
Working through a cookbook that only features baked goods? Switch from a typical dinner party to an afternoon tea. Let the cookbook guide your planning!
- Put on your party planner hat.
The cookbook club host oversees the kitchen and festivities, including seating, utensils, drinks, and cooking logistics. If that’s you, consider if guests need to use the stove, whether there’s enough fridge space, and if there are enough serving utensils. Leftovers are inevitable, so inform members how they’ll be handled — whether kept, taken home, or shared with to-go containers.
Additionally, plan activities such as discussion prompts or dish presentations to encourage conversation. You can even take a page from your favorite cooking show and have each chef explain their dish and the process behind it as they present their food.
Choosing the best cookbook: Which one should we read first?
Given the vast number of cookbooks available, you may feel overwhelmed about where to begin. Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered with a few recommendations to get you started:
Big Heart, Little Stove: Bringing Home Meals & Moments from the Lost Kitchen by Erin French
Acclaimed chef Erin French served up a delectable read in Big Heart, Little Stove. Packed with recipes from appetizers to desserts, this is a perfect first pick for a cookbook club looking for approachable recipes based on simple ingredients that can feed a group. Drawn from French’s famed farm-to-table restaurant The Lost Kitchen, these recipes are accompanied by useful tips for creating memorable gatherings alongside delicious food.
Does This Taste Funny? Recipes Our Family Loves by Evie McGee Colbert and Stephen Colbert
If you’ve got a club-ful of sharp wits and comedy superfans, Stephen Colbert’s collaboration with his wife Evie is a delightful first pick. Does This Taste Funny? is a funny cookbook sure to keep the kitchen entertained. Come for the mouthwatering Southern cuisine, stay for the delightful Colbert family stories — and extensive dessert selection!
Simply Julia: 110 Easy Recipes for Healthy Comfort Food by Julia Turshen
If your cookbook club wants to create healthy and delicious dishes, check out Julia Turshen’s newest book, Simply Julia, which offers wholesome takes on classic comfort food like chicken and dumplings and cupcakes. Her recipes are also accessible for members who may be less eager to take on fine-dining recipes. They also come with a side of stunning food photography!
The Food Lab: Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji López-Alt
For the book clubs with food nerds, anything by J. Kenji López-Alt is a must-read. We recommend his “magnum opus,” which not only shows you how to cook but also reveals the science behind the meal. Farm more than a collection of recipes, The Food Lab is a James Beard Award–winning cookbook that offers readers a wealth of scientifically backed cooking tips, from how to crust a steak to the best way to cook a moist turkey. Turn your cookbook club into a full-blown food chemistry lesson with this read by your side!
Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico By Rick Martinez
Rick Martinez’s acclaimed cookbook is sure to please book clubs that love to dive into specific cultural cuisines. Mi Cocina is an ode to the rich history and delectable flavors of Mexican cuisine. Chef Martinez offers a range of incredible recipes inspired by his 20,0000-mile journey throughout Mexico.
