I can’t seem to contain my cookbook collection. Cake tomes are fighting with my coats for closet space, ramen manuals are hiding out under my bed, and the latest releases are always stacked on my coffee table. But the truth is, I rarely unearth one to try a new recipe. Like so many cooks, most nights I end up throwing dinner together as quickly as possible, improvising with whatever ingredients I have on hand.
I’ve been lucky to make friends who love cooking as much as I do, though—and have a similar habit of acquiring new titles. So I saw an opportunity to put my languishing books to better use—and have a good time with fellow food lovers—by starting a cookbook club.
These cookbook dinners have become a regular opportunity for me and my friends to expand our culinary skills, try new dishes, learn about more cuisines, and gather together over homemade meals that one person didn’t have to prep from snacks to dessert. The great thing about a cookbook party is that you don’t have to be an expert cook, just a curious one. After all, everyone is following a brand new recipe, and sometimes the dishes you’re nervous about attempting become the favorites of the night. Even those who aren’t confident in the kitchen will come away with some seriously improved cooking chops after attending regular meetings.
If you’re ready to start a cooking club or you want to throw a one-off party themed around your favorite book, here’s what you need to host a cookbook dinner that’s worth repeating.
1. Choose a book and plan the menu
The first step in planning a cookbook party is to round up the group and land on a title. Selecting the time and date to meet can be a feat in itself, but a quick poll in a group chat usually does the trick. I’ll throw out a few date options and whichever gets the most likes wins.
To choose a cookbook, you can ask the group for a long-time favorite that’s guaranteed to be full of stand-out recipes. Or give everyone an excuse to splurge on a new title from a beloved celebrity chef.
If you’re a group of bakers, go all-in on a dessert-only book and host an afternoon of tea and cookies. It’s also fun to choose a cookbook dedicated to a specific cuisine or cooking style, which can become your party theme.
A few of my favorite books for hosting dinners include the Woks of Life Cookbook (try the mapo tofu), Six Seasons (great for summer produce), and Asada, which is full of great grilling recipes. But you can also start from this list of BA’s recommended recent titles, or any brand-new book that gets you excited.
Once you have the book in hand, it’s time to plan your menu. I send around a Google spreadsheet that doubles as an invitation. It includes the party date, time, and location, with space for guests to add their names, claim a dish, and note any dietary restrictions we should keep in mind. To help keep the menu balanced between apps, sides, entrées, and desserts, it’s helpful for guests to note the type of dish they’re bringing too.
2. Prep your dish
No party host wants to be scrambling around the kitchen while guests are arriving, so it’s a good idea to do most of the prep work for your dish ahead of time—even if you finish it à la minute just before sitting down.
For example, if you’re making a quick-cooking shrimp stir-fry, thaw the seafood, chop the veggies, and measure out any sauce ingredients ahead of time into smaller bowls. This is very cheffy of you: a well-executed mise en place will help your dish come together without any flubs. Be sure to read the recipe closely before you start cooking—once your friends show up and you’re chatting away, you can’t be expected to have the same attention to detail.
3. Help guests finish their dishes
My group usually brings their dishes fully cooked—then they just need assembling or reheating before we sit down. As the host, you can help by having the oven preheated and offering a baking dish or stack of microwave-safe bowls. You’ll also likely need some good-quality olive oil, salt, pepper, and some kind of acid, like lemon juice, for guests to dial in the seasoning on their masterpieces.
The other option is to invite everyone early enough to cook together at your place. This is a good option if your cookbook is heavy on grilling recipes and you have the space and sunny weather for it. If cooking is on the agenda, you’ll want to have a spare baking sheet or two and a selection of skillets, pots, and pans for things like pasta, sauces, and seared proteins. And if your guests are dressed to impress, offer them an apron to cook in.
4. Set the table
Unless you’re a big theme person, you don’t need to go overboard with decor for a cookbook party. But if you’re having company, it’s nice to set the scene with a put-together table. I attach an extra leaf to my dining room table to make room for everyone and bring out a few funky fold-up chairs from storage.
I like to dress the table with laid-back linens to add color and decor that’s not stuffy. I love a soft linen tablecloth and matching (or mismatched!) napkins (bonus points if your table linens match the cookbook cover; it makes for great photos). Tuck your napkins into rings for a more formal touch. Or, for a minimalist look, a simple table runner adds a pop of brightness.
You’ll want to leave space on the table for everyone’s beautiful dishes, so I like to add a low-profile centerpiece that brings the table together without distracting much from the food. You can’t go wrong with a slim and pretty flower arrangement or a string of tea lights in various-sized candle holders to set the mood. And speaking of food on the table, a trivet or four will protect the surface from hot dishes.
5. Plan the drinks
Unless one of your guests elects to stir up a cocktail from the cookbook or a wine-loving friend is bringing their new favorite bottle, the host is typically responsible for the drinks. You can keep things simple and make a selection of whites and reds from the local wine shop, or premix a big batch cocktail that will complement the menu. I learned from sommelier Dale Ott that a terracotta wine holder works well to keep your bottle cool without dominating the table or shedding condensation like an ice bucket.
If you’re going the cocktail route, mixing a drink before guests arrive will keep the party flowing smoothly without any shot measuring or searching for more mixers in the moment. If you’re cooking from a Mexican book, try a tart, fresh margarita or Paloma. For an Italian dinner, a negroni is a great make-ahead drink, but canned limoncello cocktails are a no-effort alternative. Serve your cocktail in a tall pitcher for easy pouring. Or take the advice of event planner Courtney Zenter, who prefers a pretty punch bowl, which will also liven up your deco—since it’s a cooking party, why shouldn’t your punch come from a giant head of radicchio?
It’s also a good idea to offer some nonalcoholic beverages, whether that’s a homemade mocktail or a selection of quality canned and bottled zero-proof sips.
6. Nail the dinnerware
Before the event, check the RSVPs and make sure you have complete table settings for everyone on the list. If anyone is daring enough to transport a soup (it’s been done before, to great success), you’ll need soup bowls and spoons in addition to dinner plates. And if there’s a pastry chef in the crowd, you’ll want a set of smaller dessert plates as well.
For drinks, a set of elegant short glasses is versatile enough for cocktails, wine, or water.
7. Serve in style
Your friends may bring everything in serving dishes, but if they come with portable containers, it’s nice to have a selection of attractive serving vessels. You’ll also want a few pieces of serveware that can go from oven to table for any entrée or side that needs reheating. A pretty oven-safe baking dish that looks great on the table is a good bet. I like lightweight serving dishes and cookware that’s dishwasher-friendly for a quick clean-up after the party. Enamelware is a good choice for salads and other room-temperature items. You may want to invest in an inexpensive supply of serving spoons and forks for family-style service. For desserts, bring the drama by displaying your friend’s homemade cake, pie, or cookies on an elevated cake stand. A small oil decanter is a nice addition to the table for drizzling salad dressings and sauces.
8. Pack it up
If your cookbook parties are like mine, your friends will bring much more food than the group could reasonably finish. I like to keep budget-friendly semi-reusable containers on hand for this reason, so I can send everyone home with a plate or two for lunch the next day. Flat containers are great for most things, but vertical deli containers and glass jars are better for holding liquids like soups and sauces. Reusable silicone bags and beeswax wraps are also great for tucking away baked goods.
