02/03/2024
While you mostly see me cook “no-recipe recipes” on here, the truth is I am a cookbook collector (hoarder?) and there are few objects I appreciate more than a beautifully designed, carefully tested, lovingly written cookbook.
Here are nine of my favorite, 10/10-would-recommend cookbooks by Black chef/authors from across the diaspora. Food is history, and each of these books is a primer in Black history and a celebration of Black culture past and present.
I noticed a few things in pulling these from my collection. First, while many are books I reach for often, I rarely think to share them online; it shouldn’t take one (short) month per year to prompt a post like this. Second, the powerhouse that is Bryant Terry is overrepresented in this collection: three of the books you see here are his projects. That’s no coincidence; he’s the founder and editor in chief of , which is one of the few publishing imprints to focus on BIPOC nonfiction and cookbook authors. Third, the culinary diversity of even this small collection of books shows that “Black food” is far from a monolith, although white Americans often see it that way.
The publishing industry, from literary agents to publishers to editors, is still majority white (like, over 70% 🤯) and until that changes, Black chefs will continue to be underrepresented in cookbooks — even though Black chefs and food writers are doing some of the most excellent work in the field.
What are some if your favorite cookbooks by Black authors? Have you tried any of the books in this post, and what did you think?
(P.S. did you know you can check cookbooks out of your local library — and that you can request books for them to carry?)
Books pictured (continued in comments):
1. Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration.
2. Jubilee: Recipes From Two Centuries of African American Cooking,
3. California Soul: Recipes from a Culinary Journey West,
4. Black Food: Stories, Art & Recipes From Across the African Diaspora, (this is an anthology with many contributors!)
