We asked our favorite foodies — including Boomer’s recent cover subject Cleveland Chef Eric Wells — for book suggestions to get us through the holidays and into the new year. Food and the holidays go together like turkey and stuffing, mini-marshmallows and sweet potatoes, fruitcake and… nothing. You get the point. Enjoy!
The Lager Queen of Minnesota
By J. Ryan Stradal
This book about two sisters, two breweries and two life trajectories offers up a crash course in beer-making and friendship. It’s weighty enough for a book club discussion but light enough for holiday downtime. You’ll never look at beer the same way.
Entertaining
By Martha Stewart
It’s the book that launched a thousand pre-dinner party panic attacks. You may have a tattered copy of this ‘80s classic on the bookshelf. Go ahead and take another look at the super hostess’s iconic first, and some would argue, her best book about food and entertaining. The month-by-month descriptions are both intimidating and inspiring. (A Chef Wells pick).
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle
By Barbara Kingsolver
Another oldie, but it’s so long and so in-depth and so on-point for today that it’s worth revisiting. Where you get your food from is as important as what you do with it when you bring it home. Folksy, informative, practical advice interspersed with recipes (why not make your own cheese?) will make you take another look at that Velveeta log in your refrigerator.
Jubilee: Recipes from Two Centuries of African-American Cooking
By Toni Tipton-Martin
A Chef Wells pick, this celebration of African-American cooks and chefs features more than 100 recipes. Highlighting the impact and importance of African-American food throughout history, Tipton-Martin paints a fascinating portrait with stories, techniques, and dishes that form the basis for our cuisine today.
The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook 2001-2021: Every Recipe from the Hit TV Show Along with Product Ratings Includes the 2021 Season (Complete ATK TV Show Cookbook)
By America’s Test Kitchen
Like George Foreman Grills and bread machines, it’s tough to justify shelf space for a cookbook with all of the online recipe options available. Make room for this one. The authors explain not only how to make great food but also the reasons behind their techniques. It will turn a good cook into a great cook.
