Now’s the Time to Start a Cookbook Club — And Here’s How to Do It

My cookbook club just settled on a book for our next meeting, and I can’t wait to pick up my copy. A cookbook club is pretty much what it sounds like: a book club at its core, but instead of chatting about literary themes, you test out recipes. The result is a themed potluck with built-in conversation starters.

I first heard of the concept from my cousin, who hosts meetings with her friends. The photos she posted on Instagram made me want to organize my own group. Lucky for me, I made a friend last fall who happened to run a club already, and I jumped at her invitation to join.

If you’re trying to find more joy in cooking, or you just want something new to do with your friends, this structure has a lot to offer. Sharing a home-cooked meal is a delicious way to build community, and if you’re like many people these days, you’re looking for new ways to connect. It’s a great excuse to check out interesting books, learn new skills in the kitchen and, most importantly, eat a ton of delicious food.

Here are seven steps to make your first meeting a success.

Invite Your Guests

For these meetings, the more the merrier! Mine grew so big that we had to exit iMessage; the new Instagram group chat currently stands at 95 people, and plus-ones are always welcome. Think of this as an opportunity to bring people together through food (which is what food does so well). Plus, the more guests you invite, the more dishes you’ll get to taste.

When it comes to setup, there’s no need to worry about formal table settings. The only key things here are making sure everyone has room to eat, sit and mingle without too much awkwardness, and finding a table big enough for all the food.

Choose the Book

This an important step — you aren’t just picking a book you’re interested in, you’re shaping your friends’ experiences, too. Choosing a cookbook that’s relevant to you and your guests will help everyone feel engaged. I had the honor of picking a book, so here’s my expert advice.

Like any book club, finding a title that sparks conversation or falls outside your group’s comfort zone can make for an exciting meal. Your guests can save their same ol’ staples for another day. That said, you want the book to be a challenge, not a barrier to entry. If any of your guests have dietary restrictions, or if they’re still learning the basics of cooking, make sure to choose something they feel good about. It’s also worth checking whether copies are available at your local library or if any recipes have been republished online, which will help everyone get their hands on them.

If you need inspiration, start with a theme. Think about whether there’s a seasonal ingredient you want to spotlight or a holiday you’d like to celebrate.

I also recommend browsing the shelves of a culinary bookstore. These are excellent resources that will give you tons of ideas. You can order from many of them online, but if you’re able to go in person, chatting with the staff is even better.

I found my pick, Mother Tongue by Gurdeep Loyal, because my local bookstore stocked it. When I went to pick it up, the cashier told me he was the one who’d called it in. We had a great conversation about the book, and now he can give me more personal recommendations in the future.

Choose the Recipes

Now that you’ve got a book, the fun really begins: planning the menu! The important thing here is making sure two people don’t accidentally bring the same dish. (If they want to team up for a recipe, though, sometimes that's easier.)

Our group uses a sign-up sheet so we can plan around each other and pull together a well-rounded spread. If your guests need a little help, feel free to suggest recipes or assign categories like drink, main dish and dessert as a starting point.

Don’t Forget that You’re the Host

With so much emphasis on cooking, it’s surprisingly easy to forget the logistics of serving the meal. As the host, this is where you need to step in.

Make sure you've got serving utensils for everything, whether you provide them or ask your cooks to bring what they need. Check that you have enough plates, cups, utensils and napkins for everyone.

You should also think about what extras might be helpful. If your book often calls for rice, for example, then you could make a large batch for everyone. The same goes for garnishes; one person can prep the herbs or bring the condiments for the table.

Finally, think of any special touches you want. Would it be helpful to label the dishes with allergens or recipe titles? Do you want to create place cards for the table so guests can learn each other’s names? Do you feel like decorating your space? It’s your meeting, so make it your own!

Add Some Extras

Though food is the obvious focus of a cookbook club, don’t let it become a limitation. The meal can be a jumping-off point for other conversations and activities. At my club, we do crafts during the meeting, which gives everyone something fun to do while they talk. The host always brings art supplies like paint, but she also encourages everyone to bring whatever projects they’re working on. However you want your meeting to run, feel empowered to make it happen.

Take Photos

Everyone worked hard on putting the meal together, so make sure to document it! It’s nice to have photos to look back on, especially to remember which recipes you tried and which you want to make again on your own.

Make It a Regular Meeting

A monthly basis is a good way to start; it’s frequent enough that you’ll always have the next meeting in mind, but not so often that it takes up every weekend. You can always adjust from there.

Lastly, figure out a system for choosing future books. I got to choose one because I won a rock-paper-scissors tournament during our January meeting, but your group might prefer voting on options together. Play around with it to figure out what works best for you, then continue making plans.

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