A cookbook chosen with a specific cook in mind, for someone who wants recipes or technique they'll actually return to.
A cookbook suits someone who cooks, or enjoys reading about food. Choose with a particular cook in mind: a chef they follow, a cuisine they love or their skill level. Check the photographs, the dietary focus, and whether an overseas edition uses cups and ingredient names that differ in Australia.
Gift ideas
A retailer can change a price at any time, so check it before you buy.
Illustrated masterclass in cooking by chef and writer Samin Nosrat, built on the four key principles she saw fellow chefs fall back on while cooking at Chez Panisse, and aimed at setting cooks free from recipes.
More than 100 recipes from the Bombay-style restaurant, including its black daal, bacon naan roll, okra fries and jackfruit biryani, told with stories of the city. A Sunday Times bestseller.
A cookbook suits someone who likes to cook and enjoys reading about food. It works for a keen home cook, a beginner who has just moved out, a parent who wants new ideas for dinner, or a friend who is hosting more often.
Choose with a specific cook in mind. A cookbook chosen for the person's tastes, a chef they follow or a cuisine they love will be used. A generic one is likely to stay on the shelf.
What to look for in a cookbook
The cook. Think about what they cook now. A beginner needs clear steps and short ingredient lists. A confident cook may want technique, or an unfamiliar cuisine.
The cuisine or chef. Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian and baking are common choices. A chef they watch or follow is a safe guide.
Photographs. Some cooks want a picture of every dish, and others prefer a book with fewer images and more writing.
Edition. Many are hardcover and look good on a kitchen shelf. Overseas editions may use cups, Fahrenheit or ingredient names that differ here, so check the listing.
Dietary needs. If they are vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free, look for a book written for that.
Reading or cooking. Some books are as much a story about food as a set of recipes. They suit someone who likes to read.
When a cookbook is the wrong gift
If they cook from websites and videos and never from a book, it may go unopened. If they own a shelf of cookbooks already, you risk a duplicate, so look at what they have. And someone who dislikes cooking is better given something to eat, or a meal out.
Frequently asked questions
What cookbook should I buy for a beginner?
Choose one with short ingredient lists, clear steps and a photograph of each dish. Books built around quick weeknight meals, or a handful of ingredients, are easier to start with than books about technique.
Are overseas cookbooks hard to use in Australia?
Some are written in cups, ounces and Fahrenheit, or use ingredient names that differ here, such as cilantro for coriander. That is easy to work around, but check the listing if you want metric measures.
How do I choose a cookbook for someone who has everything?
Look for a chef or cuisine they already cook from, and avoid the book everyone owns. A book about a food they love, with good photography, works as a gift that is read as well as cooked from.
