Cookbook Clubs: A New Foodie Trend and How to Start Your Own

The wheel of internet trends is potentially spinning out of control, and caught in the crosshairs, at times, are true gems. For a brief moment this summer, influencers rediscovered the potluck, with “Cookbook Clubs” popping up in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

It’s a simple, but delicious, premise: a group of friends each selects a recipe from the same cookbook, then they each bring their designated dish to a dinner. Wash the dishes, pick a new cookbook, and repeat. 

Unlike more consumption-focused trends, like the jumbo scrunchy and european summer, this particular moment has a bit of communal sticking power. Let’s get into why Cookbook Clubs are a concept worthy of dusting off the end-of-summer dust.

The Midwestern Tradition of Recipe Sharing

You’ve probably heard of a potluck, pitch-in, or supper club. The tradition of communal meals goes back for generations, with the American terminology taking root during the great depression. But cookbook clubs take on a new aspect through culinary exploration. Through recipe sharing, a cookbook club keeps the community meal concept alive under a new tradition.

How to Start Your Own Cookbook Club

You have the date and time prepared, and the groupchat assembled. Here’s how to make your cookbook club a reality. 

Select the cookbook

You can choose a well-worn favorite, or one you’ve not been able to test before. If you’re not sure, ask the group for feedback, or rotate which person is choosing the cookbook from month to month.

Send out the table of contents

Take a picture of the list of recipes available, then send it to everyone attending. Make sure they know when and where the cookbook club will be hosted, as the route to the table might affect their choice of recipe.

Select your recipes and share

Each member of the club will tell the host which recipe they want to make, then the host sends them the recipe from the cookbook. 

Make your dish

Prepare the recipe as instructed, and make sure to plan ahead for transportation– Cooler at the ready, or insulated containers to keep the heat in. 

Bring it to the host’s house

If you’re the host of the night, you’ll prepare for cookbook club the way you might any dinner party or potluck with friends. Think about having a designated surface for guests to set down their dishes, and make sure you have plenty of serving ware and utensils at the ready. One clever idea from a New York City cookbook club– have take-away containers at the ready for any leftovers people want to take with them.

Have you started a cookbook club of your own? We’d love to see what you and your group are cooking up– tag us at @edibleindy on instagram so that we can see your next great creation.