Celebrating Black Chefs
It's a shame that many Black chefs have not received the recognition they deserve. Try changing that with the help of these amazing cookbooks. Whether you crave Southern fare or vegan dishes, these cookbooks have you covered. Many of the authors on this list have written more than one cookbook. Please visit our catalog for more ideas.
Note: All titles are linked to their physical copies; nearly all are also available as library ebooks via OverDrive and its app Libby.
Jubilee: recipes from two centuries of African-American cooking by Toni Tipton-Martin
Tipton-Martin sourced historical texts and rare cookbooks to bring together a rich selection of recipes like Spoon Bread and Pecan Pie with Bourbon. Named one of the best cookbooks of the year by several major publications like The New York Times Book Review and The Atlantic.
Black Girl Baking: wholesome recipes inspired by a soulful upbringing by Jerrelle Guy
Learn how to make treats like Orange Peel Pound Cake and Plum Chai Pie in this celebration of the senses - especially taste! Guy offers vegan alternatives and recipes with healthier ingredients.
In Pursuit of Flavor by Edna Lewis
NPR crowned Lewis the "first lady of southern cooking," a well-deserved title seeing that In Pursuit of Flavor was inducted into the James Beard Foundation Cookbook Hall of Fame. This reprinted edition includes illustrations, tips, and anecdotes from Lewis.
Son of a Southern Chef: cook with soul by Lazarus Lynch
Mixing Alabaman and Guyanese traditions leads to a delicious result in this gorgeous cookbook. Feast on Lynch's reinterpretations of classics such as Shrimp and Crazy Creamy Cheddar Grits and Dulce de Leche Banana Pudding.
Vegetable Kingdom: the abundant world of vegan recipes by Terry Bryant
Join Bryant, an Afro-Vegan food justice activist and James Beard Award Winner, as he shows you how to make flavorful vegan meals that don't use unconvincing substitutes. Recipes like Dirty Cauliflower and Millet Roux Mushroom Gumbo are sure to win over the most stubborn skeptics.
The Rise: Black cooks and the soul of American food by Marcus Samuelsson
Samuelsson is a chef, author, restaurateur, and television star. Here he compiles more than 150 recipes that represent African-American culinary traditions and pay homage to Black cultural, political, and literary figures.
Pie Love: inventive recipes for sweet and savory pies, galettes, pastry creams, tarts, and turnovers by Warren Brown
Readers might recognize Brown as the man who brought the CakeLove bakery to Washington. Here he shares his favorites recipes for pies, tarts, and more.
Cooking Solo: the joy of cooking for yourself by Klancy Miller
Miller shows you how to make fun yet sophisticated recipes for one person without the guesswork of adjusting measurements and cooking times. Enjoy delicious meals like Smoked Duck Breast Salad and Ginger-Peach Crisp for one.
