Start A Cookbook Club!

The best part of the cookbook club? Exploring new recipes with great people!

It’s like a book club, but instead of just recapping the story, you engage in it. From a partner to a group, sit at your table regularly with your social tribe to try new recipes.

Why are cookbook clubs healthy to do?

1. Setting new goals, especially when targeting life changes like finding new enjoyable, while good-for-you dishes, it is great to do this with an accountability partner. You help each other even during tough days.

2. Socializing with people who bring you energy is good for the soul, no matter what you cook.

3. Hosting people makes them feel good because you give them a critical resource, time. They feel special to you, and this helps develop long-term relationships.

4. They help explore new cooking styles and chefs, which leads to new ingredients that can help find new nutrients. (I won’t lie, this does depend on what kind of recipes you pick, but don’t forget to read my blog on easy nutrition upgrades into your dishes!)

So, how do you start a cookbook club? There are so many ways! Have fun with it and explore what works. Here are some ideas to get started:

1. Prepare to host the first, or find that one friend who likes hosting to partner on this idea

2. Decide on your invite list for your cookbook club

3. Now the fun part, decide the structure of your club!

   1. Confirm dietary requirements to be aware of in your group to avoid recipes or know when alternates need to be made

   2. Pick how you want to explore new recipes

      1. You could all start with a cookbook and review the cookbook prior to the date of your first event (my brilliant friends rent cookbooks from the local library). All of you choose recipes from the cookbook to compile a list.

      2. Have everyone pick a cookbook from their shelf (or one they’re interested in) and pick recipes from it to try. Build a list of recipes from various cookbooks.

   3. Decide how you want to prepare and the level of engagement around cooking

      1. Plan to have your group decide on the recipe(s) to cook before meeting up?

         1. Have everyone cook a recipe and bring it to the event to discuss not only the dish, but also how cooking it went

         2. Have everyone cook a few recipes at the event, and purchase the raw ingredients prior

            1. Assign one shopper and split the costs

            2. Split the ingredients across the group

      2. Plan to have enough time to choose the recipe, go shopping for the ingredients, and cook when everyone shows up

4. Eat together and talk about your experience with the dish(es)

5. Decide on a fun way to pick the next recipes on the list at the end of the first event, and how often you want to meet up (my friends and I plan the next event at the end of the event

Remember. Know your goals and target recipes that align with that. Also, don’t be scared to communicate your goals and the recipes you might be targeting. Otherwise, have fun with it.

Cheers!