Cookbook club

Are you looking for a way to liven up those long winter evenings? Hold a friendly kitchen get-together

I’ve recently moved to a new home and this winter, I’m looking forward to hosting a monthly cookbook club for my friends who love to cook. The evening will be a glorious jumble of all my favourite things: great company, lovely music, a pot-luck dinner and, of course, lots of cookbooks to flick through. These gettogethers filled with connection, laughter and cosiness are what turn a house into a home. I can’t imagine a more heart-warming way to make the most of the coldest season.

What is it?

The concept behind cookbook club is a straightforward one – a group of friends who come together to discuss and make recipes from a chosen cookbook, or in other words, a crowd-sourced feast to enjoy. I love this idea because it’s more than just a casual dinner party. It’s a relaxed and fun way to bring community, conversation and inspiration back to dinnertime. The task of cooking dinner can certainly feel strenuous or mundane in the depths of winter. A cookbook club is the perfect way to bring fresh ideas back to your kitchen.

Setting it up

Start by reaching out to a group of friends who will be interested in joining. I find six or so people is a great place to start, as you’ll all be able to gather around a table and keep things intimate.

Each month (or even fortnight), you can have a set date where you gather together. You might like to take turns hosting the evening, with each host choosing the cookbook everyone will cook from. This is the perfect opportunity to try new recipes and make sure you pick something outside of your comfort zone. This is where the magic happens.

What I love most is that by cooking one chosen dish to take along to the evening, you get to taste and try out many others. This is the most in-depth way to experience a new cookbook if you ask me.

How to be a fantastic host

When it’s your turn to host, you can choose the cookbook you’d like to

for the evening. Before the date, let each guest flick through the book and pick a recipe. Alternatively, you can nominate recipes and send them in advance to ensure a balanced menu of dishes. Don’t forget dessert.

Next, you’ll want to set the scene for the evening. Light some candles, create or find a lovely music playlist, make some delicious drinks and decorate the table according to the theme of the cookbook.

Each guest will arrive with the dish they made, and then it’s time to dine together, discussing and laughing at your kitchen failures or successes, the recipes you love the most, and those you will make again. Before wrapping up the night, I recommend choosing the cookbook and recipes for the next cookbook club. This ensures plenty of time for everyone to plan and prepare.

Maintaining excitement

Set up a Messenger, WhatsApp or group text message where you can stay in touch throughout the month and share photos of your kitchen adventures. This is the perfect space to chit-chat and hang out like old cooking pals. You cook the recipes, they cook the recipes, you all cook the recipes and have one big cooking party together. eleanorozich.com