All About Cookbook Club
One of my favorite sources of community I've created
My husband came home from the dentist this morning telling me everyone in the dental office was asking him about “the Cookbook Club your wife created.” (haha!) Word has been getting around - clearly, if the dental office is talking about Cookbook Club. LOL. Many of you have also asked for more details on Cookbook Club, so here we go…
The Backstory
I started Cookbook Club a year and a half ago now with 12 women in my community. I was inspired by this blog post, and thought “now this is something social I could get behind.” As an extroverted introvert, social outings are not my favorite. Moving to a new town and having a child, I found myself craving community, but wanted to do it in a way that felt natural for me. What sounds more natural to me than cooking, eating, and talking about food?!? Literally nothing.
Can I Start a Cookbook Club?
First name / friend, ABSO-FREAKING-LOUTELY you can. I am so proud that I was vulnerable and went out a limb to see if anyone was excited about this idea of mine, because unanimously, everyone was on board. I even have heard friends of mine say, “This is my favorite night of the month.” Ultimate idea compliment.
What Does It Take?
Every month, someone different from our group hosts and chooses a cookbook or theme to cook from. We have done fun themes like vacation favorites, dishes that remind you of home, holiday cookie swaps, and a board night (see photo above), but also cooked from many cookbooks such as Cook this Book, Sweet Enough and Mi Cocina. We even have sprinkled in some couples nights, because partners get envious of all the yummy eating.
(Some fun group photos below)
For Cookbook Club night, we each choose a recipe from the chosen book or theme (we use a Google Sheet to make sure we don't repeat recipes), cook the dish, and bring it to the host's home to eat. We all talk about what we made, while eating the food together (usually all sitting at a table or in a big circle). It feels like one of the only settings I am in these days where food is really appreciated in the way it desires.
You know when you bring a dish to an event and it's taken a long time to make (+ the grocery shopping!) and no one asks you about it? No one mentions it? And you spent alllllll that time preparing it - ugh. Doesn't that suck? Cookbook Club is the answer to that dilemma. The conversations begin at what worked in the recipes, laughing about the cookbook author's favorite ingredients (there's always one or two that come up a lot in the recipes), our frustrations about certain instructions and will often times extend to motherhood challenges, life milestones, and ultimately lead to connection.
What I Love About Cookbook Club
1. I love actually getting to eat multiple dishes from a cookbook. You know when you get a cookbook and only make 1 thing - or better yet, NOTHING from it? This helps you to dig into a book and try many dishes.
2. It's a night just for me and an important part of my self care.
3. It reinstates an important part of my own eating disorder recovery - that food is not just about nutrients. Food can be a source of enjoyment, pleasure, connection, nostalgia, and memory making.
4. I love getting a nudge to get out of my comfort zone and try new recipes, new cookbook authors, and new cuisines.
5. I love getting to connect with people who fill me up. I always come home from these nights feeling so fulfilled and grounded.
I hope this leaves you feeling inspired that maybe a Cookbook Club is just the thing missing from your life! (More fun photos below, if you're interested)
