Reading lists

Cookbooks that make for special gifts

Beautiful books to delight every kind of food lover, from beginner cooks to seasoned pros, wine enthusiasts to amateur mixologists and more.

Image: Victoria Ford

If you're on the lookout for gift inspiration for the foodie in your life, you've come to the right place. Whether you're shopping for beginners just starting to cook for themselves, seasoned pros looking for a challenge, or even amateur mixologists looking to learn the art of the cocktail, we've got plenty of recommendations.

So, from modern classics to new releases, we've rounded up cookbook inspiration for every type of home cook and food lover. 

For the cook who wants easy recipes

Who you're buying for: A complete beginner, or someone short on time.

For the cook who feeds the masses

Who you're buying for: Someone who's always feeding a crowd, or the person who loves to batch cook for the week ahead.

For the adventurous cook

Who you're buying for: The home cook who loves a kitchen project.

More recommendations: Insects, The Forager Handbook

For the cook who wants to perfect the classics

Who you're buying for: Someone who wants to improve their technique and get comfortable with the fundamentals.

More recommendations: How to Cook, Completely Perfect

For the cook looking to recreate restaurant favourites at home

Who you're buying for: The food lover who wishes they were dining out every night of the week.

More recommendations: Sabor, Mother India at Home, River Cafe 30, Hunan

For the cook with a sweet tooth

Who you're buying for: The baking enthusiast, or dessert lover.

More recommendations: The Marshmallowist, Crumb

For the amateur mixologist

Who you're buying for: the party-starter.

More recommendations: The Alcorithm, The Seedlip Cocktail Book

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