Food is so much more than something that gives us energy—it has cultural power. It brings us together, allows us to experience new cultures and lets us appreciate traditions—not to mention how delicious it can be! The famous chef James Beard, with a number of inspirational food quotes, said it best: “Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” So it’s not surprising that so many TV shows, movies and books—focus on delectable dishes, family traditions and teaching moments with food. But with so many books centered around food, it’s tough to choose one to dig into.
Now, the editors at Woman’s World have gathered our menu of the top books for food lovers. You’re sure to devour these food-themed novels and pageturners, which are filled with mouthwatering details on yummy dishes, behind-the-scenes action on fictional cooking shows and impactful food journeys. Pull up a chair and get ready to dig into these tasty tales. Bon Appetit!
After losing her job and her boyfriend, Sadie is convinced her future as a chef is ruined. Then she’s offered a spot on her favorite competition cooking show, Chef’s Supreme, and she sets off to New York to start filming. She forms a bond with Luke, her seatmate on the flight, and tells him that she has to go off the grid for the next six weeks. But when she starts filming, she discovers who Luke really is. Now, Sadie has to navigate the competition she desperately wants to win while ignoring the chemistry between her and Luke.
What readers are saying: “If you’re a fan of Top Chef longing for a glimpse behind the curtain (and a little romance) this is the perfect lighthearted read about a cooking competition show. Love the Jewish and Korean representation and how the characters’ storylines reflect their identities and their unique relationships with their cultures and those cultures’ respective foods.”
When Stella Park goes to Italy for her friend’s wedding, she’s excited to escape — until she runs into her ex, Samuel Gordon. When they keep getting pushed together throughout the weekend, which is filled with delectable food, cultural wedding traditions and unplanned stops, Stella begins questioning why she ever broke up with him in the first place.
What readers are saying: “My tastebuds are tantalized, my heart is bursting and my stomach is growling after reading this book! Thank you for ‘crossing over’ and combining your love of rom-coms and creating recipes in a book that is superb.”
Lois Clary’s job doesn’t leave much room for free time. As a software engineer at General Dexterity, a robotics company in San Francisco, she codes all day and crashes at night. Oh, and she gets dinner every night from the local hole-in-the-wall restaurant her two brothers run. When her brothers are suddenly forced to close up shop and leave the country, they give Lois their culture, the sourdough starter used to bake their bread. Now Lois is in charge of keeping it alive by whatever means necessary. It doesn’t take long for her to indulge in her newfound bread hobby and a whole new world opens up when her baking begins to expand into her work life.
What readers are saying: “It’s amazing just how magical this book is considering it has no actual magic inside of it. Lois is such an easy heroine to root for and you want to see her succeed in her new quest in life. The sourdough is overflowing in personality with Sloan’s descriptions and it felt like the second main character of the book with how it comes to life on page.”
The novel follows Tess as she starts a low-level job at one of the best restaurants in New York City — and it doesn’t take long for her to become completely immersed in a life of gourmet food, the finest wines and the glamour of the wealthy and elite. Danler combines the intensity and adrenaline of the restaurant world with detailed descriptions of food that will leave you salivating, while also portraying that indescribable feeling of being young in NYC, making this book an easy one to devour.
What readers are saying: “Reading Stephanie Danler’s novel Sweetbitter is like indulging in a full-course meal with drink pairings that you don’t want to end. The prose is absolutely delicious: poetic, sensual, and addictive.”
In the 1960s, chemist Elizabeth Zott wants to focus on her exceptional career in a male-dominated field. But when she unexpectedly falls in love and winds up a single mother, she takes a job hosting a cooking show to make ends meet. But Elizabeth’s show is not the usual TV cooking show. With each episode, her wit and humor inspire other women to realize their dreams.
What readers are saying: “After a conversation left me feeling like I wasn’t taken seriously, I downloaded this empowering book to boost my confidence,” says Rachel Cosma, Woman’s World Health Director. “Funny and sweet, this tale reminded me of my self-worth!”
Magic, sweet treats, heartfelt charm…this dreamy tale has it all! Life has handed Lolly Blanchard’s some lemons. Ten years ago, after her mother died, she broke up with her first love and gave up her dream of opening a restaurant. On her 33rd birthday, her great-aunt gifts her three lemon drops—each one allowing her to live a day in the life she could’ve had. Can Lolly let go of regret and embrace the present?
What readers are saying: “This book was so perfectly sweet! Lolly and Rory have such a beautiful story, I loved watching the character growth over the chapters. The twists with the lemon drops?? Perfection.”
By the time she turned 30, Elizabeth Gilbert went through an early mid-life crisis. A happily married successful career woman, she thought she was content. But rather than feeling fulfilled, she was overtaken by panic and confusion, went through a divorce and another failed chance at love, and didn’t know who she was supposed to be. To combat these feelings, she decided to take a yearlong journey around the world. In this true story, Gilbert describes her visits to Italy, India and Bali, where she indulged in delicacies, found pleasure in life’s little moments and sought joy.
What readers are saying: “Eat, Pray, Love is a book that made me smile. Ms Gilbert’s voice is original and honest with a teasing undertone. She is an extremely talented writer who bravely put her experience out there for others to learn from, commiserate with, or live vicariously through.”
This captivating novel alternates between the perspectives of Alice Hale, a modern-day woman who leaves her big-city career and moves to the suburbs with her husband, and her new home’s previous owner, a 1950s housewife named Nellie. After finding a cookbook with Nellie’s notes in the margins, Alice discovers astonishing parallels between their lives—including a sinister side to Nellie’s marriage. Clever, dark and empowering.
What readers are saying: “This was a fantastic read! The way the author seamlessly flowed from past to present and the quotes from books of days past as well as recipes made the book that much better! I was sad to come to the end, but I will definitely be reading more books from this author.”
Billie Breslin quits school and moves to New York City to work at Delicious!, a famous food magazine. When the magazine suddenly closes, she is kept on to maintain the reader complaint hotline. Alone in the mansion that once housed the publication, Billie discovers a secret room that holds hundreds of letters from past readers, including an intriguing note to acclaimed chef James Beard that was written during World War II. Sifting through the letters takes Billie on a journey into the past that helps her come to terms with her present and future.
What readers are saying: “This is the first book I have ever read that made me want to write a review. I love Rachel Reichl’s autobiographical books and this fiction piece was a treasure to find. She is such a descriptive writer. When she describes the taste of food I can smell it. Her descriptions of restaurant experiences put me right there with her. Her knowledge of food and ingredients is mindboggling and this story is a fun vehicle to showcase it with.”
A one-of-a-kind memoir-turned-blockbuster motion picture, Julie and Julia is a must-read for food lovers. Julie Powell is nearing 30 and stuck in a dead-end job. To reclaim her life, she decides to cook every recipe from Julia Child’s legendary Mastering the Art of French Cooking over the span of a year, documenting each failure and success..
What readers are saying: “I have read and re-read this wonderful book several times! The late Julie Powell is by turns warm and hilarious as she takes on the project of making each recipe in the iconic cookbook Mastering The Art of French Cooking by Julia Child/would definitely recommend this book!”
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