I adore reading about other people who have created such a deep community and connection using cookbooks. Also anyone who cooks upwards of 12 recipes from a cookbook has my ❤️
I did an entire book cook through of Dining In when it was first published. I loved making the dishes I knew I’d want to plus ones that I surely would have skipped —and found some new favorites that way.
I’ve been a member of a baking club in London for 10 years, they just meet once a month in a rented room above a pub, anyone can come, and bring a baked cake or savoury which roughly fits that month’s theme. It’s great fun! No one cares if something’s gone wrong, it’s just a nice chilled evening with a huge table of cakes.
I was part of a cookbook club when I lived in LA and miss it! I’ve wanted to start one in the Catskills but don’t feel like I have enough interested parties to make it really work. It feels like such a wholesome way to gather — and I love getting to try multiple dishes at once!
I don't live in the Catskills, but based on how much I want to join a cookbook club and all the other comments here, I feel certain that your people are out there!
Yessss, cookbook people ARE the best people!! 🤩 after reading this post, I texted a friend to borrow a cookbook (one of the ones mentioned by Deborah); your work is encouraging connection and I love that so much!!
Thank you for this Q+A with Deborah. I have been in awe - truly - of what she has done ever since she started. She's created and encouraged a remarkable of community and she is such a talented cook, stylist and photograph - every image she posts is beautiful! xoD
What a fun interview. I followed Deborah Balint on Insta (and a couple others you mentioned, Tara @kitchenbookshelf and Erin @somanycookbooks) when I was using that app, plus several other Rainy Day Bites participants and hundreds of other home cooks. And like you said, it was a really nice way to connect with other "Cookbook People" — and typically an overall cheerful, supportive community. I've been looking for something similar on Substack, so I'm glad I've stumbled upon your newsletter :)
Our public library cookbook club meets monthly at a local brew pub with limited space. The librarians pick a theme, propose 5 books which are then voted upon. The library then accumulates about 30 books for us to borrow. Only one person per recipe is allowed which makes for a huge feast. There was a hiatus during the pandemic. I own about 1,500 cookbooks weeded down from about 10,000 inherited from my father and aunt. I use the recipes more for inspiration rather than followed carefully.
Wow! That cookbook club sounds wonderful. Where do you live? And 1,500 cookbooks slimmed down from 10,000?! Your father and aunt were committed collectors. Thanks for sharing!
I live in Somerville, Massachusetts just across the Charles River from Boston and next to Cambridge. Our library hosts a number of different clubs reflecting our community. The cookbook club has brought together people from a wide range of ages and interests as well as skill levels. The pub employees run all the serving dishes through their washer so we get to take home clean dishes in return for sharing in the feast.
My father was a diplomat cooking and collecting books in English and French beginning in the mid-1950s. He retired in 1980, writing about food for the St Augustine, Florida paper until shortly before his death. His sister, a librarian joined him in his passion for food and also accumulated thousands of books. I missed the good home cooking of the Middle East and Africa when I went to college in England in 1971. My first cookbook was Claudia Roden's first book. The rest is history.
I love the community Deborah has created! I followed the group for a while and then won one of her giveaways {a copy of Dorie's Cookies}. I've been an active participant ever since then and love how she challenges us to branch out of our comfort zone and try recipes we may have never considered.
I adore reading about other people who have created such a deep community and connection using cookbooks. Also anyone who cooks upwards of 12 recipes from a cookbook has my ❤️
I did an entire book cook through of Dining In when it was first published. I loved making the dishes I knew I’d want to plus ones that I surely would have skipped —and found some new favorites that way.
12 is dedication! I have very few cookbooks I have cooked that deeply.
Me neither! It's inspiring.
I’ve been a member of a baking club in London for 10 years, they just meet once a month in a rented room above a pub, anyone can come, and bring a baked cake or savoury which roughly fits that month’s theme. It’s great fun! No one cares if something’s gone wrong, it’s just a nice chilled evening with a huge table of cakes.
A nice chill evening with a huge table of cakes sounds like my idea of heaven!
I was part of a cookbook club when I lived in LA and miss it! I’ve wanted to start one in the Catskills but don’t feel like I have enough interested parties to make it really work. It feels like such a wholesome way to gather — and I love getting to try multiple dishes at once!
I don't live in the Catskills, but based on how much I want to join a cookbook club and all the other comments here, I feel certain that your people are out there!
They’ve got to be!
I feel like there are so many food people in the Catskills! Although you might all live very far apart from each other :)
Yes! The Hudson valley has a great one — I’m pretty far out in the Catskills though. Maybe I just need to put it out there and see what happens?!
I bet you’d get some takers! Great to see you last night 😊
Yessss, cookbook people ARE the best people!! 🤩 after reading this post, I texted a friend to borrow a cookbook (one of the ones mentioned by Deborah); your work is encouraging connection and I love that so much!!
Thanks Amanda! And I want to know what book you borrowed!
I borrowed Dark Rye and Honey Cake! 😍
That’s the one that I’m especially eager to look through as well. I just put it on hold at the library!
Love Deborah’s dedication and community building through RainyDayBitesCookbookClub!
Yes! And your dedication to cookbooks as well. Thank you.
They’re our champions!
Yes! So well said.
Deborah is truly the kindest and most supportive soul. Love this!!
That is one of the reasons I love cookbookers everywhere; I feel like there's (usually) a real generosity of spirit.
Only 550 … I’m still on the nursery slopes !! 🤣😂
😂
I love the community element of cookbook collectors. There is a special connection with food lovers.
100%!
Thank you for this Q+A with Deborah. I have been in awe - truly - of what she has done ever since she started. She's created and encouraged a remarkable of community and she is such a talented cook, stylist and photograph - every image she posts is beautiful! xoD
Thanks for reading Dorie! I am in awe as well. It's such a gift to both authors and other cookbook enthusiasts!
Love this one so much--maybe you should start a cookbook club for the Cookbookery Collective?
It seems like that might be a good idea!
What a fun interview. I followed Deborah Balint on Insta (and a couple others you mentioned, Tara @kitchenbookshelf and Erin @somanycookbooks) when I was using that app, plus several other Rainy Day Bites participants and hundreds of other home cooks. And like you said, it was a really nice way to connect with other "Cookbook People" — and typically an overall cheerful, supportive community. I've been looking for something similar on Substack, so I'm glad I've stumbled upon your newsletter :)
So glad to have you here! A big yes to a cheerful, supportive community.
loved learning more about about Rainy Day Bites!
Same here
Our public library cookbook club meets monthly at a local brew pub with limited space. The librarians pick a theme, propose 5 books which are then voted upon. The library then accumulates about 30 books for us to borrow. Only one person per recipe is allowed which makes for a huge feast. There was a hiatus during the pandemic. I own about 1,500 cookbooks weeded down from about 10,000 inherited from my father and aunt. I use the recipes more for inspiration rather than followed carefully.
Wow! That cookbook club sounds wonderful. Where do you live? And 1,500 cookbooks slimmed down from 10,000?! Your father and aunt were committed collectors. Thanks for sharing!
I live in Somerville, Massachusetts just across the Charles River from Boston and next to Cambridge. Our library hosts a number of different clubs reflecting our community. The cookbook club has brought together people from a wide range of ages and interests as well as skill levels. The pub employees run all the serving dishes through their washer so we get to take home clean dishes in return for sharing in the feast.
My father was a diplomat cooking and collecting books in English and French beginning in the mid-1950s. He retired in 1980, writing about food for the St Augustine, Florida paper until shortly before his death. His sister, a librarian joined him in his passion for food and also accumulated thousands of books. I missed the good home cooking of the Middle East and Africa when I went to college in England in 1971. My first cookbook was Claudia Roden's first book. The rest is history.
Thank you for all these details! I love how the pub washes everyone’s dishes 🩷. And the idea of spending a lifetime collecting these special books.
Love reading about other people’s food libraries and how they cook from them. Can’t wait to read more!
Thanks for being here Lucy!
I love the community Deborah has created! I followed the group for a while and then won one of her giveaways {a copy of Dorie's Cookies}. I've been an active participant ever since then and love how she challenges us to branch out of our comfort zone and try recipes we may have never considered.
Love that! Yes, sometimes it takes a little nudge. It’s a good reminder for all of us that cooking outside our comfort zones can be so rewarding.