Want to start a cookbook club but not sure where to begin? Keep reading to see how to start a cookbook club. Discover fun and easy tips to launch your own cookbook club, from choosing the right book to sending the invites. I've even got a free Cookbook Club Starter Kit for your to download.
If you love trying new recipes and gathering with good company, starting a cookbook club might just be your new favorite hobby. It’s like a book club—but instead of just discussing what you read, you eat it too! Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just dipping your toes into the culinary world, a cookbook club is the perfect way to connect, learn, and feast. This is also a great way to get out of a food rut, if you find yourself making the same things when you cook.
Here’s everything you need to know to get your own cookbook club cooking!
1. Pick Your First Cookbook
Choosing the right cookbook sets the tone for your club. Pick one that matches your group’s interests and skill level. Maybe it's all about plant-based recipes, global flavors, quick weeknight meals, or a celebrity chef you’re curious about.
For my first cookbook club dinner, I selected Ayesha Curry's, Full Plate. The book had simple recipes with common ingredients that would be easy for my guests to source. There were also a variety of dishes and even cocktails to choose from, so I knew we would have a balanced menu.
Book Ideas
Cravings by Chrissy Teigen (fun and approachable)
My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi (for adventurous palates)
2. Decide on a Meeting Format
Will you rotate hosting at each other’s homes? Meet monthly or every other month? Will everyone cook a dish from the book and bring it potluck-style, or will the host prepare everything?
Common formats:
- Potluck-style: Each person cooks one recipe and brings it to share.
- Host-led: The host chooses and prepares all the recipes.
- Virtual club: Great for long-distance friends—everyone cooks and shares photos, then chats online.
The most common format is potluck style, and that's how my dinner was hosted. Being the host (and an over achiever lol) I made the most dishes and filled in any gaps I noticed in the menu after everyone signed up. I kept in mind that people were traveling to my home with their dishes so I made most of the "hot food.
Whatever format you choose, keep it low-stress and fun!
3. Gather Your Foodie Crew
Start by inviting a few like-minded friends who love to cook—or at least eat! You don’t need a huge group; 4 to 8 people is a sweet spot. It keeps things manageable and ensures everyone gets to taste a little bit of everything.
I wanted mine to be a sit down dinner, so my guest list was limited to the amount of people that could fit at my dining table, which was 8 people. Choose a number that will ensure everyone can gather together to discuss the food and book.
4. Plan the First Gathering
Send out invites (text, email, or group chat is fine!), assign recipes, and set the mood. You can add little touches like printed menus, themed playlists, or cute table décor that matches the cookbook vibe.
Encourage everyone to bring their copy of the book and jot down notes—what worked, what they’d tweak, and what they loved.
I texted invites that I created on Canva, and each invite included a link to a Google form which is where everyone RSVP'd, indicated what dish they were bringing, if they had any food allergies, and added their email address.
My text message included a brief statement about what a cookbook club is and how it works.
Something else that was helpful to my guest who didn't get to purchase the book, or theirs didn't arrive on time, was sending a picture of the table of contents. Each person responded with the recipe they wanted to try and I sent a photo of the full recipe.
5. Set the Scene
I'm all about a theme when hosting, and since I started my cookbook club in the Spring, I decided the theme would be spring. Your book selection can also guide your theme or vice-versa. The theme also guided the menu selection. We had lots of salads, a pineapple chicken dish, sangria and a spicy margarita that all screamed Spring!
You don't need to have a theme or go all out with decoration. But you can set the scene by doing a few simple things like:
- Set your dining table - add a runner and place mats or charger plates.
- Decorate with flowers - I bought some flowers from Trader Joe's and added them as a center piece on the dining table.
- Print the menu -You can print the menu and place it at each seat or print one menu and frame it for your everyone to see who made what dish.
- Label each dish - I added butcher paper to my counter top and wrote each dish out for guest to place what they brought in front of the label.
6. Don't Forget the Drinks
If your cookbook includes cocktails like ours did, then someone can make drinks. My friend made 2 cocktails from our cookbook, but I also had a dispenser with ice water and put out some sparkling water.
If your cookbook does not feature cocktails you can serve wine or make your own signature drink, or forget the booze and serve soft drinks.
7. Leftovers
You will likely have leftover, so I suggest having containers for your guests, or asking everyone to bring a container for leftovers.
8. Keep It Going!
After each meetup, take a vote on the next cookbook or theme. You can even alternate between full cookbooks and shorter formats like online recipe collections, magazines, or seasonal themes.
Make a shared group chat or email thread to keep the momentum going and share recipe wins (and fails!).
Grab the Guide!
Ready to host your own cookbook club? I’ve got you! Download my free Cookbook Club Starter Kit with planning sheets, theme ideas, and more. It’s the exact guide I wish I had when I got started—grab yours below and get cooking with your crew! Click her to get the guide.
Final Thoughts
Starting a cookbook club is such a rewarding way to bring people together through food, learn new cooking techniques, and expand your culinary horizons. It’s low-key, cozy, and oh-so-delicious. So grab your apron, pick a cookbook, and get ready to dish it up with friends!
Be sure to tag me on Instagram @mochasandmimosas if you start your own cookbook club!
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