TASTE team picks: our favourite cookbooks of 2024

When the TASTE team is all out of ideas for hosting, weeknight dinners or want to switch things up, we reach for cookbooks. From innovative takes on classic recipes to diverse global cuisines, these cookbooks reflect our collective love for food and creativity. Not only do these books offer delicious recipes, they also invite us to explore new flavours and cooking techniques. Here are the cookbooks that have become our trusted companions, transforming everyday meals into extraordinary experiences this year.

1. For keen beans:
Bold Beans: Recipes to Get your Pulse Racing

Amelia Christie-Miller
Octopus Books

Amelia Christie-Miller is best known as the founder of Bold Beans Co, a popular British jarred beans brand that has radically elevated the humble legume. Bold Bean Co. was first introduced to the public through Dragon's Den, a popular reality television business programme where Christie-Miller won over the panel of investors with her simple, yet effective ethos on food. In her first cookbook, named after her company, Christie-Miller attempts to give beans the makeover they deserve. With contributions from the Bold Bean team as well as Anna Jones, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and the team at Mob among others, these are enticing, exciting recipes uncompromising in their deliciousness.

"Along with vegetables of almost every description other than beetroot (yuck), beans and pulses are my favourite ingredients. So, I was always going to be attracted to a book that is focused squarely on getting the very best flavours and textures from them. Written by the super-smart young female entrepreneur behind the UK's brilliant brand of luxurious bottled beans of the same name, Bold Beans Co. includes over 80 brilliant recipes that range from super simple bean puttanesca to crowd-pleasing kimchi and black bean quesadillas. And in our [South African] bottled-bean-deprived shopping environment, perhaps the very best recipe in the book is tucked into the hints and tips section at the back and reveals how to take standard canned beans to similar levels of creamy deliciousness as you get from the bottled variety. Genius!" – Robyn Alexander

2. A great read:
A Thousand Feasts: Small Moments of Joy

Nigel Slater
Harper Collins

Nigel Slater is a celebrated British food writer and television presenter, known for his poetic approach to cooking and his deep appreciation for seasonal ingredients. With a career spanning over three decades, he has authored numerous bestselling cookbooks, including Tender and The Kitchen Diaries.

In A Thousand Feasts: Small Moments of Joy, Slater presents a delightful blend of recipes and reflections, celebrating the simple joys found in everyday cooking. This memoir-style book invites readers to explore the pleasures of food through evocative storytelling and stunning photography. From comforting dishes to seasonal treats, Slater encourages us to savour life's small moments, making each meal an opportunity for connection and happiness.

"Nigel has inspired me through his incredible and delightful food writing.  One of his first books, Real Fast Desserts, is a personal favourite. This book is so dog-eared from reading it countless times. It doesn't have any photographs but the recipes shine through in his words." – Abigail Donnelly | Food Director

3. For vegans (and other people who like delicious things):

Dinner: A Vegan Cookbook

Meera Sodha
Penguin Books Ltd

Meera Sodha is a celebrated British food writer known for her vibrant approach to vegetarian and vegan cooking. Drawing on her Indian heritage, she expertly combines traditional flavours with modern techniques, making her recipes both accessible and exciting. Sodha is a regular contributor to The Guardian, where she shares her passion for plant-based meals.

Dinner: A Vegan Cookbook is a delightful collection of over 100 vegetarian and vegan recipes designed to elevate everyday meals. With a focus on seasonal ingredients, the book features a variety of dishes, from comforting curries to fresh salads. Sodha’s approachable style and clear instructions make it easy for cooks of all levels to create delicious, flavourful meals. This cookbook celebrates the joy of plant-based cooking, encouraging readers to embrace healthy eating while enjoying the rich flavours of diverse cuisines.

"I am a huge Meera Sodha fan – I have nearly cooked East from cover to cover – and especially love her ability to weave her Indian heritage and proper British cooking into highly cookable, riffable recipes. So, naturally, when I heard about her newest book Dinner, it went right to the top of my wishlist. It's inspired by what she actually cooks for dinner for her family, but I didn't even need to know this to know that I want it and will love it." – Jess Spiro | Acting Social Media & Community Manager

4. Best dessert book:
I’ll Bring Dessert: Simple, Sweet Recipes for Every Occasion

Benjamina Ebuehi
Quadrille Publishing

Benjamina Ebuehi is a talented British baker and food writer, best known for her appearance on The Great British Bake Off. With a passion for creating beautifully crafted desserts, she combines her love for baking with an innovative approach, drawing inspiration from her Nigerian heritage and diverse culinary influences.

In I’ll Bring Dessert, Ebuehi shares a delightful collection of simple sweet recipes perfect for every occasion. The book features a variety of treats, from classic cakes and cookies, to unique desserts that are easy to prepare. Each recipe is designed to be approachable, with clear instructions and mouthwatering photography that will inspire home bakers. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or treating yourself, I’ll Bring Dessert encourages readers to celebrate the joy of baking and the pleasure of sharing delicious sweets with friends and family.

"I've been a fan of Benjamina since watching her season of The Great British Bake Off and have followed her career closely since. I'm an avid reader of her column in The Guardian and subscribe to her newsletter (like I said, I'm a fan). This is her third cookbook dedicated to her love of baking and it didn't disappoint. The book came out in April and I've been impatiently waiting for stone fruit season so I can make her hot honey peach shortcakes. If you love baking, like me, this is the cookbook to gift yourself." – Lesego Madisa | Content Producer

5. The best influencer cookbook:
Pass the Plate: Everyday Comfort Cooking to Savour and Share

Carolina Gelen
Clarkson Potter Publishing

Carolina Gelen is a talented food stylist and recipe developer, celebrated for her stunning visual storytelling and innovative approach to cooking. She has captivated a large audience on social media, amassing over 1.3 million followers on Instagram, where she shares beautifully crafted dishes that inspire home cooks around the world.

In Pass the Plate, Gelen presents a delightful collection of recipes designed for sharing with loved ones. The book features a variety of dishes that celebrate the joy of communal dining, from vibrant salads and comforting mains to indulgent desserts. Each recipe is designed to be accessible and inviting, encouraging readers to gather around the table and create memorable dining experiences. With beautiful photography and an emphasis on connection through food, Pass the Plate inspires readers to embrace the pleasure of cooking and the delight of sharing delicious meals with family and friends.

"I am not really a recipe book girlie, but I am obsessed with FoodTok. I love it so much, that I wrote a column on how social media has influenced my cooking. So when I saw that Carolina Gelen, one of my favourite food content creators, is releasing her debut cookbook, I was super excited. Her vibe is just my style, she makes interesting dishes and I've made several of her recipes off Instagram. This may be THE cookbook that I actually use. The ones I currently have are more like coffee table books, to be honest." – Annzra Naidoo | Online Editor

6. The everyday dinner one:
Greekish: Everyday recipes with Greek roots

Georgina Hayden
Bloomsbury Publishing

Georgina Hayden is a talented food writer and chef known for her vibrant cooking that celebrates the flavours of her Greek heritage. With a background in food styling and a passion for sharing delicious, accessible recipes, she has garnered acclaim for her work in various publications and her cookbooks.

In Greekish, Hayden presents a delightful collection of recipes that blend traditional Greek cuisine with contemporary twists. The book features a range of dishes, from hearty mains to fresh salads and indulgent desserts, all designed to be enjoyed with family and friends. Each recipe is infused with the warmth and richness of Greek flavours, making it easy for home cooks to recreate the essence of Greek dining. With beautiful photography and engaging storytelling, Greekish encourages readers to embrace the joy of cooking and sharing meals that celebrate both heritage and community.

"For my family members in need of ideas, Georgina Hayden’s Greekish is on my Christmas list. I adore Greek food, but also Georgina’s approach, which suits my life as a working mom with needlessly high food standards. Megan Scott from Simply Recipes calls it a high “effort-to-flavor ratio”. One-pan pastitsio? Yes, please! Sausages with lentils and fennel? Yum! (Plus the kids will eat the sausages!) Lemon-and-oregano chicken thighs with rice, which come with a scrumptious yoghurt-mayo-lemon-feta sauce, which is pretty much a tray bake? Sold. There are also some great projects in here – youvetsi and baklava cheesecake, for instance. (The publishers have been kind enough to share three of the recipes from Greekish with us.) Come to think of it, I might just buy the book for myself. It doesn’t do to be disappointed on Christmas morning." - Katharine Pope | Head of digital content

7. Inspo for the digital girlies:

The Culinary Cartel

Not all TASTE team members are collectors of cookbooks. In recent years, our social media feeds have filled up with foodfluencers. Whether we're making cucumber salad or digging into croissant and choc-chip cookie hybrids, it's safe to say our feeds influence the way we eat. This is the case for TASTE production manager, Blossom Ngesi, whose weekly dinner inspiration comes from the TikTok accounts @culinarycartel.

@theculinarycartel 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 Weeknight Dinner • 30- 40 mins • Air fryer or oven Does cooking for the family can feel like a rotation of chicken tenders, bolognese and pizza? I want to change that for you. Firstly these come together pretty quickly, in your airfryer (I used my @instantpotuk Instant Vortex Airfeyer Oven) and honestly double the meatball batch as they freeze great once cooked. So while the British summer might not be played along you can indulge in the flavours of the Mediterranean with these easy and delicious Herby Greek Chicken Meatballs! 🌿✨ A hidden veggie, kid-friendly weeknight meal. Now granted the kids may turn their noses up at the salad (I was the same) but with loads of courgette in the meatballs and a whole grain giant cous cous, you are still onto a winner. Add a blob of tzatziki or seasoned yoghurt if you like. #meatballs #chickenrecipes #chickendinner #airfry #airfryer #airfryerrecipes ♬ original sound - The Culinary Cartel

"Confession: I haven’t bought a cookbook this year (gasp!), but I did fall down a TikTok rabbit hole and landed on The Culinary Cartel’s page. Her recipes are such a delight – simple, with a clever twist that keeps family meals interesting. I’ve printed out her latest recipe for herby Greek chicken meatballs to try because the reviews on that post were all glowing." – Blossom Ngesi, Production Manager

Bonus: Our local favourite
The Hungry Table

Fatima Saib
Penguin Random House

TASTE's very own commercial content editor Fatima Saib's debut cookbook, The Hungry Table, has finally hit shelves! Its release instantly earned recognition at the Gourmand Cookbook Awards where it was nominated for best new cookbook.