Some people collect art. Others collect shoes. True foodies? They collect cookbooks. These books aren't just pages of any old recipes bound together, they’re a gallery of beautiful hand picked food, deliciously displayed. Each of these books feels like an invitation to roll up your sleeves, spend quality time getting messy in the kitchen, and creating something unforgettable.
Whether you’re shopping for the brunch-obsessed, the experimental home chef, or the friend who swears they can throw a dinner party together in 20 minutes, we’ve got the perfect picks with these five. They've inspired me to get back into cooking new dishes, and excited to host again.
Plus, the one's i'm suggesting don’t just look good on a kitchen shelf, they’re packed with dishes that’ll have you running to the stove before you’ve even finished flicking through. This makes them incredibly giftable too. I hope you love them as much as we do! (and going by all the feedback and reviews, as much as everyone else does too.)
1 - Raman Forever – Delicious, Daily Homemade Ramen
In Ramen Forever, Tim Anderson shows you the way to enjoy delicious homemade ramen on a regular basis, and gives you the tools to build your own ramen, just the way you like it! Recipes include Double Garlic Tonkotsu Ramen, Tan Tan Men and Tsukemen, as well as The Ramen Sandwich and Garlic Sesame Miso Ramen Salad.
What makes it special: It is broken into five sections – Broth, Seasoning, Aromatic Oils and Fats, Noodles and Toppings – to enable you to mix and match to create your own ramen to suit your taste. Alternatively, you can choose to follow one of several complete ramen recipes provided.
More than just a cookbook: This book really showcases the best of food photography and graphic design with its beautifully designed recipe pages, photos and guides. It really is a treat to your eyes and it it wasn't bound, it would be worth of framing on the walls.
Great for: With recipes for beginners and casual cooks as well as serious noodle nerds, you can enjoy this superlative Japanese comfort food at home, regardless of your skill level.
2 - Good Eggs – The Ultimate Guide to Cooking with Eggs
Eggs: Nature’s little protein-packed wonders. They’re affordable, versatile, and an essential part of any good breakfast. But beyond your basic scramble, eggs are a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with essential amino acids that help build muscle, boost brain function, and keep you feeling fuller for longer. Good Eggs takes this everyday ingredient and turns it into something spectacular, with over 100 recipes that will have you whipping, poaching, and baking your way to egg-cellence.
Why it stands out: While most cookbooks treat eggs as a supporting act, this one puts them centre stage. Think Fried Eggs with a Crisp Cheese Skirt, Kimchi and Blue Cheese Omelettes, and a next-level take on Savoury Eggy Bread. Whether you’re a yolk devotee or a fan of just the whites, this book has something for everyone.
A visual treat: Gorgeous photography and a clean, stylish layout make this a book you’ll actually want to cook from and proudly display in your kitchen.
Gift it because: It’s a cracking choice for brunch lovers, experimental home cooks, and anyone who appreciates a stylish cookbook with real substance.
3 - Salad Meals - Reinventing Salads to Delicious Meals that Feed Body, Soul & Friends
In this delicious book Salad Meals, Emily Ezekiel elevates the humble salad into a dish worthy of being the centrepiece at any table. We agree! Organised by season, Salad Meals proves that salads are versatile enough to be both hearty main dishes such as Steak Frites Salad, Kimchi Noodle Salad, and Wild Mushroom Salad and vibrant side dishes like Summer Tomato Salad and Raw Rainbow Chop Salad. Fruit-forward salads like Summer Fruit Salad with Coffee Mascarpone and Toasted Oat Citrus Salad are a delicious stand-in for dessert and make a perfect end to any meal.
Ezekiel reimagines salads with recipes for salad boards, a playful riff on snack and charcuterie boards, as well as portable jarred salads that readers can dress at their desks on busy workdays. These recipes are both approachable and adaptable, featuring easy substitutions for those looking for vegan or vegetarian options.
Why it’s a must-have: Ezekiel reimagines salads with recipes for salad boards, a playful riff on snack and charcuterie boards, as well as portable jarred salads that readers can dress at their desks on busy workdays. These recipes are both approachable and adaptable, featuring easy substitutions for those looking for vegan or vegetarian options.
Designed to impress: A deservingly large book with a beautiful embossed cover and photographs of the delicious meals throughout. This book has photography that makes you crave the salads. Who knew i'd be so excited to make healthy salads again? I certainly didn't have it on my bingo cards for 2025 but i'm here for it and these are actually delicious!
Perfect for: Whether you’re a salad aficionado looking for some new inspiration or a salad newbie eager to incorporate more vegetables into your diet, Salad Meals is a comprehensive resource for healthy, satisfying recipes that will please any reader.
and a bonus extra for the vegan foodies...
4 - Vegan JapanEasy – Effortless, Authentic Japanese Cooking
It's simple, this is Japanese cuisine, but plant-based, without any added fuss. Vegan JapanEasy by Tim Anderson proves that you don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated swaps to bring bold umami flavours into your kitchen. Many classic Japanese dishes are already vegan, and Anderson makes it easy to master them without missing out on the depth of flavour that makes Japanese food so addictive.
What makes it special: While other vegan cookbooks struggle to replace meat, this one celebrates the natural richness of ingredients like miso, shiitake mushrooms, and ponzu. Expect crispy Vegetable Tempura, comforting Onigiri, and a punchy Mapo Tofu with Ancient Grains that’ll make you forget about takeaway.
More than just a cookbook: The stunning food photography and beautifully illustrated guides make this book as much of a treat for the eyes as it is for the taste buds. Step-by-step visuals help you master key techniques, so you can finally make gyoza that don’t fall apart in the pan.
Great for: Vegans, Japanese food lovers, and those who love cookbooks that are as gorgeous as they are practical.
5 - Last Minute Dinner Party – Stress-Free Hosting
Some cookbooks expect you to plan a week in advance. This one? It’s for those who suddenly realise they’ve got guests arriving in an hour and an empty fridge. Last Minute Dinner Party is filled with 120 recipes that use pantry staples, simple fresh ingredients, and clever shortcuts to help you throw together an impressive meal fast.
Why it’s a must-have: With dishes like Dukkah-Spiced Sheet Pan Schnitzel and Bake-To-Order Salty Chocolate Chip Cookies, you’ll be pulling off dinner party magic with minimal effort. Plus, it’s packed with hosting tips, ingredient substitutions, and even a guide to effortless drinks, so you can mix a killer cocktail while your oven does the hard work.
Designed to impress: With its embossed cover and stylish layout, this is the kind of book that belongs front and centre in any foodie’s kitchen.
Perfect for: The spontaneous host, the low-maintenance entertainer, and anyone who believes that the best dinner parties happen on a whim.
The Perfect Add-On Gifts for Food Lovers
Want to level up your gift? Pair a cookbook with one of these foodie-approved accessories:
Recipe Journals – For those who love to jot down their favourite dishes and create their own personal cookbook.
Shop our favourite recipe journal
Book Clips – The ultimate tool for keeping cookbooks open to the right page while stirring, flipping, and sautéing.
Notepads – The perfect place to plan out meals, jot down ingredients, or brainstorm your next dinner party menu.
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Browse our full collection of cookbooks and foodies gifts here.
