It’s time to start aging your eggnog (plus other holiday food prep)

Not only have stores' Halloween decorations been consolidated to make way for tinsel, lights, wrapping paper, and Christmas trees, but there are also other signs that the holidays are fast approaching. With only 68 days to go before Christmas, 67 until the beginning of Hanukkah, and 69 until the start of Kwanzaa, the clock is ticking for us to get… read more

Why you might want to ditch that plastic spatula

Your plastic kitchen utensils may be trying to kill you. Okay, that's hyperbole, but a recent study found that kitchen utensils, takeaway containers, and even jewelry made from black plastic contained high levels of potentially toxic chemicals, which may be reason for concern if not panic. The study, published in the journal Chemosphere, found two kinds of flame retardants -… read more

The Monday Pasta Club Cookbook Giveaway

Enter our US/Canada giveaway to win one of three copies of The Monday Pasta Club by Ed Barrow. In 2020 pastry chef Ed Barrow created The Monday Pasta Club. He has hosted a number of sell-out supper clubs and events, from Bristol to Brighton and with Edinburgh to follow. The supper club bring people together in a relaxed and intimate… read more

Cooking and baking as protest

Just as a cake can have many layers, the act of baking itself can contain multiple meanings. These meanings can be personal, like when you bake your friend her favorite cake for her birthday, or they can have a broader message. Just ask bakers like Paola Velez (author of Bodega Bakes) and Natasha Pickowicz (author of the award-winning More Than… read more

November 2024 Great Big Cookbook Club Summary

As our members know, each month we offer several cooking options in our Eat Your Books Cookbook Club. There are other fun cookbook clubs around the interwebs and we’d like to highlight those for those members who might want to cook or bake something other than our choices.  We want to get this information out to you so you can prepare… read more

Food news antipasto

You may have seen TikTok videos about the 'fridge-scaping' trend, where people decant everything they buy at the grocery store and put it into clear containers that so that all of your produce, cheese, and other items are on display and tidily organized in matching jars. Whether you believe that this is gorgeous and amazing or shake your head at… read more

The Curry Guy Chicken – Giveaway

Enter our worldwide giveaway to win one of three copies of The Curry Guy Chicken: Deliciously Spiced Recipes From South and Southeast Asia by Dan Toombs. Dan Toombs' latest title celebrates flavorful chicken dishes from his travels around South and Southeast Asia. Because chicken is such a versatile ingredient, Dan showcases different techniques – from stir-fried and deep-fried to braised,… read more

The Great British Bake Off/Baking Show – Week 3 – Bread 2024

We said farewell to Jeff last week who left due to illness and Hazel was eliminated after a poor showing with cookies. This week was bread - which is never my favorite week. There is always too much under or over proofing and far too many shots of Paul's fingers diving into the dough. I feel so much stress for… read more

Cookies! EYBD Previews, Recipes and More

In September 6th's roundup, I covered some great cookie cookbooks/magazines and today I want to cover a few more which just happen to be second editions of two of my absolute favorite cookie books. As you may know, I am a sucker for holiday cookies and especially the recipes shared when newspapers run their best cookie contests. See these related… read more

Barbara Lynch is closing all of her Boston-area restaurants

Last year we reported on a scandal involved revered Boston chef Barbara Lynch in which former employees recounted tales of alleged abuse and harassment at her restaurants. Lynch's rags-to-riches story was chronicled in a 2017 memoir that recounted her rise from a hard-knocks South Boston childhood to culinary stardom. The James Beard Award-winning chef shuttered a handful of restaurants in the wake… read more

The book lover’s workout plan

Every book collector faces the same dilemma, usually on multiple occasions: adding a new bookcase to house the ever-growing number of books that they have accumulated. Often this includes moving the bookcases, necessitating the removal and reinstallation of all the books. This should be marketed as a book lover’s workout plan, because I loathe exercise but have no issue with… read more

Beans, beans are good for your heart…

Beans and other legumes have never been hotter, even though 2016 was officially the International Year of the Pulses (aka legumes). Whether it's viral "dense bean salad" videos, articles on easy ways to use beans and how to fall in love with them, or cookbooks devoted to the subject, the once-humble bean has been getting a glow up. As a… read more

30 Breads to Bake Before You Die – Cookbook Promotion

Enter our US giveaway to win one of two copies of 30 Breads to Bake Before You Die: The World's Best Sourdough, Croissants, Focaccia, Bagels, Pita, and More from Your Favorite Bakers by Allyson Reedy. This book is the second title by the author, the first title being 50 Things to Bake Before You Die which is a favorite of mine. Here,… read more

Sweet Seasons Cookbook Promotion

Enter our worldwide giveaway to win one of three copies of Sweet Seasons: Wholesome Treats For Every Occasion by Michael and Pippa James. After the success of All Day Baking: Savory, Not Sweet, Michael and Pippa James return with Sweet Seasons, featuring more than 80 delectable recipes from retro hits to modern marvels. Of note, The Tivoli Road Baker: Recipes… read more

Food news antipasto

Cristina Tosi's Milk Bar is branching out to the Windy City as a new Milk Bar outpost is coming to Chicago's Fulton Market. No opening date has been announced, and Tosi said she is excited about the first Midwest location for Milk Bar, telling NBC Chicago "I am a Midwesterner by birth and Chicago has long been one of my… read more

The Great British Bake Off/Baking Show – Week 2 – Biscuit 2024

The old saying "They are dropping like flies" is appropriate for this week's episode. I think that saying is a misnomer, however, because I've been trying to kill a fly for three weeks now - and it keeps coming back to haunt me. I think I got him and then just like Michael Myers in the Halloween movies - boom… read more

Apple cider season is here

While the weather here has been suggesting that summer doesn't want to let go, it finally relented this week with chilly evenings and crisp, sunny days. That means it is time to hit up the local orchards in search of tasty apples. I am fortunate to live in an area where many of the best-loved varieties in the US were… read more

The Dinner Plan podcast, Prime Day next week, EYBD Previews and more

Maggie Hoffman has dropped a new podcast called The Dinner Plan. This podcast offers cooking inspiration for wherever you are in life. It doesn't matter if you're a time-strapped professional, an empty nester, feeding a houseful, or just making sure you actually eat something day after day: figuring out what’s for dinner can be exhausting. She will be talking with cookbook… read more

A simple, classic dish makes a comeback

Saveur Magazine has rarely let me down since I first started reading it in 2009, so when I spied an article about oeufs mayonnaise being the "it" dish of 2024, I had to click on it even though this is the first time the alleged hyper-trending dish has come to my attention. Maybe I'm just not getting out enough, but… read more

How the dockworkers’ strike could affect the food supply

The International Longshoremen's Association walked off the job at 36 ports from Maine to Texas at midnight Tuesday, the first such strike in almost 50 years. The strike comes as workers were protesting wages and the threat of automation, among other issues. The walkout will affect a wide swath of commodities ranging from shoes to auto parts to food and… read more

2025 James Beard Foundation Awards: Call for entries open

The James Beard Foundation® announced today that the entry and recommendation period for the 2025 James Beard Awards® presented by Capital One is officially open until November 29, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The annual James Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent in the culinary arts, hospitality, food media, and the broader food system. The Awards also recognize a demonstrated commitment… read more

Food news antipasto

Does it feel like you've been seeing more food cross-branding partnerships lately? It's not your imagination, food companies are doing collaborations in increasing numbers. One of the latest was Coca-Cola Oreos paired with Oreo-flavored Coke Zero. This follows on the heels of things like Hidden Valley Ranch ice cream and Dr. Pepper Peeps. Are consumers demanding these pop-culture mashups? Eater's… read more

The Great British Bake Off/Baking Show – Week 1 – Cake 2024

The bakers are back in the tent and once again the opening segment had my tired eyes rolling a bit. Barbie themed it was and a bit over-the-top. I had to chuckle when the American baker, Jeff, said, "It doesn't matter if you win or lose as long as you win." There is that American sportsmanship. Ironically, the tent was… read more

A New Chapter for Eat Your Books

Dear Eat Your Books Community, We're excited to share some big news about the future of Eat Your Books. As we embark on this new chapter, we wanted to take a moment to share our thoughts with you directly. A Note from Jane Kelly, EYB Founder & CookShelf COO: When Fiona and I launched Eat Your Books back in 2009,… read more

IACP Cookbook Award winners 2024

The International Association of Culinary Professionals announced the winners of its 2024 Cookbook Awards (along with other food media and writing awards) this evening at its 2024 Summit held in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to this year’s winners, the IACP inducted three cookbooks into its Culinary Classics, which is a like a Hall of Fame for cookbooks. The IACP also presented… read more
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