Cookbooks

The test of a cookbook is not how good the photography is but how many pages end up splashed. Weeknight books get used; ambitious ones get admired. Both have a place, and most kitchens want one of each: something for a Tuesday, and something for the weekend when there is time to make a mess.

Look at the ingredient lists before you buy. A book that assumes a specialty grocer three suburbs away is a book that stays closed, however lovely it is. The ones that work here are the ones built on what a New Zealand supermarket actually stocks.

A cookbook is also the easiest gift for a host, particularly paired with something small from Kitchen Tools & Accessories or a tea towel from Kitchen Linen.

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Books · Kitchen & Dining · Kitchen Tools & Accessories · For the Foodie · Tableware & Serveware

How do I choose a cookbook that will actually get used?
Read three ingredient lists. If you could shop them at your usual supermarket, the book will get used. If two out of three send you hunting, it will sit on the shelf looking good.

Are these suitable for beginners?
Several are. Look for books that explain method rather than only listing steps, and start with a weeknight title rather than a project one. Baking books are the least forgiving place to begin.

What pairs well with a cookbook as a gift?
A wooden spoon, a board, a good tea towel or a jar of something. It turns a single book into a set without needing to guess at taste.

Do you stock New Zealand authors?
Yes, alongside Australian and international titles. The range shifts with each order, so it is worth a look through rather than a search for one name.