How many times have I poured over a cookbook, flagged multiple favorites, only to return it to a shelf, waiting for the perfect occasion to arise? And then maybe I’ll flip back through my earmarks, only to lament the lack of ingredients on hand, or the kitchen tools needed, or, more crucially, a hungry table to cook for. There are only so many ways to pitch a dish like “pan-roasted romanesco with golden raisins, tahini, and sumac” to my two young children, whose palettes favor all things brown and beige despite my best efforts. Alas, it’s time to stop waiting for the occasion—my cookbook club awaits.
A cookbook club is a gathering of friends where everyone cooks a dish from the same cookbook, then meets to dish and dine. It blends the concept of a book club with a communal dining experience. The result is that everyone can try new cuisines or improve their cooking skills and enjoy meaningful conversations over a shared meal.
Why start a cookbook dinner club?
The greatest gathering joys happen around a table with great food and great conversation. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from attending multiple gatherings hosted by Camille, it’s to always have a conversation starter or two in your back pocket. The table could be set to perfection, the food utterly delicious, the playlist vibing, but at the point of sounding saccharine, it’s the laughs, tears, and meaningful conversations that matter post. Done well, a great gathering is just a vehicle for connection. And hosting a cookbook dinner club is a beautiful opportunity for food and conversation—plus, it’s a low-key way to connect with friends without the pressure of hosting a full-on dinner party.
How to Organize Your Cookbook Dinner Club
1. Determine the logistics.
Choose Your People: I’d advise kicking off with a small group of people who can commit and set the foundation of your club. Start with four members at the least and eight at most. The size of your group might also depend on your space and the format. Invite people who are adventurous, interesting, and feel like they’d get along well together.
Note Allergies or Sensitivities: In an email thread, text thread, or shared doc for easy reference, ask each member to share their allergies or food sensitivities so they can be considered when selecting menus.
Set Expectations: Will your group focus more on causal fun or a culinary challenge? Will you cook through an entire book or mix it up every time you meet? Will you cook together or bring prepared dishes? There are multiple ways you can set up your cookbook club, just make sure everyone is on the same page (pun intended).
Get it on the Calendar: A plan isn’t real until it’s on the calendar. Determine your hosting schedule (typically monthly or bi-monthly), whether there will be rotating hosts or one consistent location, and finally, the first meeting date.
2. Select the cookbook and plan the menu.
How to choose the cookbook: If you rotate hosts, a simple way to choose the cookbook is to let the host decide. In my opinion, the best cookbook for your dinner party comes down to one simple requirement: Everyone is excited to cook from it.
Ask guests to throw out their tried-and-true alongside new, exciting cookbooks. You could choose a seasonal cookbook like Six Seasons by Joshua McFadden and Martha Holmberg or a classic a là Julia Child. Maybe you’re group is interested in trying a specific cuisine, or they are more interested in baking than sautéing. In which case, a brunch-based cookbook club with breads and pastries from a French pastry chef could be right up your alley. Or, try a dessert night because we’re adults and we can eat dessert for dinner if we want to.
A few favorites for any kind of cookbook club are Gjelina by Travis Lett for vibrant, seasonal recipes that never fail to delight, Bavel by Ori Menashe, Genevieve Gergis, and Lesley Suter for a Mediterranean night, Nothing Fancy by Alison Roman because everything she touches is golden (and delicious). Sweet Tooth by Sarah Fennel is perfection for a dessert night, as is Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz. You can always peruse this list of Camille’s favorite cookbooks to spark more ideas.
Plan the menu: To keep it simple, consider two ways to determine the menu. In scenario one, the host decides. She would select the recipes and then either assign them to members or send them out for members to choose first-come, first-served. You could do this via a shared Google doc or in an email thread. In scenario two, members are free to choose their own dish from the cookbook. Just make sure everyone shares ahead of time so there aren’t multiples, and so the meal is balanced from start to finish.
Tip: The host should offer to cook the dish that requires the heaviest lifting, often the main course.
Hosting Tips for a Seamless Gathering
1. Set the table and the atmosphere.
Set the Scene: Make the table effortless and inviting with a few candles and a vase full of fresh flowers, greenery, or herbs. Put on a playlist (extra points if it matches the cookbook’s theme) and be ready to offer guests a drink when they arrive
If hosting is new to you (or if you just need a refresher), here’s a guide to hosting your first dinner party.
Encourage Conversation: This is where those conversation starters come in handy. Tip: Ask ChatGPT to generate a few icebreaker questions specific to your cookbook. Jot them down on a notecard and place them on the table or under plates.
2. Clean up and plan your next gathering.
Make clean-up part of the party: Keep things easy by cleaning up together. Even though you’re hosting, everyone played a part in creating the meal, and dish duty is part of the experience! Don’t be afraid to assign roles, turn up the playlist, and make it all part of the party. Tip: Keep containers on hand for leftovers (or ask guests to bring their own).
Plan for next time: Avoid the group text back and forth and make plans for the next one before everyone leaves. Decide who’s hosting, chat about themes, land on a date, and get it scheduled! It’s a simple send-off, but one that will help you stay consistent and accountable.
Why You’ll Love It
A cookbook dinner club is more than just a meal—it’s a way to slow down, savor good food, and deepen connections with friends. Whether you’re discovering new ingredients, mastering a new technique, or simply enjoying the act of gathering, each dinner becomes a celebration of community and creativity. With the right group, a thoughtful menu, and a little planning, your cookbook club can become a beloved ritual—one that brings inspiration to both your kitchen and your table. So choose your first cookbook, set a date, and get ready to make delicious memories.