The best cookbooks of all time

Mihaela Metaxa-Albu Author Of 30-Minute Keto: Low-Carb Cooking Made Fast, Easy & Delicious
By Mihaela Metaxa-Albu

Who am I?

I'm an ex-pastry chef at Zuma London, current food blogger and creative director at Blondelish.com and YumCreative.com. I cook and shoot food photos and videos for 10 hours a day, almost every day of the week and I wouldn't have it any other way. I consider myself an artist and cooking is an expression of my inner self. I started cooking about 15 years ago as a hobby and within a year I took it to the next level by attending a 1-year class at Southgate College in London and getting my Chef Diploma. Right after that, I landed a job as a pastry chef at Zuma London which quickly transformed me into a pro. 


I wrote...

30-Minute Keto: Low-Carb Cooking Made Fast, Easy & Delicious

By Mihaela Metaxa-Albu,

Book cover of 30-Minute Keto: Low-Carb Cooking Made Fast, Easy & Delicious

What is my book about?

The keto lifestyle is made simple and accessible with this game-changing collection. Trained chef and popular food blogger Mihaela Metaxa-Albu brings big, bold flavors and fast cooking methods to low-carb eating. By combining time-saving hacks, smart shortcuts, and culinary expertise, she creates standout dishes in 30 minutes or less. With these recipes on hand, readers will have no problem staying keto morning, noon and night, even on their busiest days. Snacks like Low Carb Pizza, Cheeseburger Casserole, and Pesto Fried Chicken are easy to cook fast and keep on hand anytime you need to boost your fat macros. No matter how pressed your schedule is, Mihaela's detailed guidance, encouraging voice, and efficient tips ensure a healthy, delicious dish on the table in no time.

The books I picked & why

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Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking

By Samin Nosrat,

Book cover of Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking

Why this book?

This book is essential for anybody that wants to become better at cooking. It's more like a cooking masterclass that will take you from an amateur home chef to a real pro. With helpful illustrations, this book not only features delicious recipes, but it feels like the author is actually there with you guiding and teaching you how to cook.

After reading it, you'll have a better understanding of different cooking techniques and how to make better use of the most important elements in cooking: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat. 

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking

By Samin Nosrat,

Why should I read it?

5 authors picked Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Now a major Netflix documentary
A Sunday Times Food Book of the Year and a New York Times bestseller
Winner of the Fortnum & Mason Best Debut Food Book 2018

While cooking at Chez Panisse at the start of her career, Samin Nosrat noticed that amid the chaos of the kitchen there were four key principles that her fellow chefs would always fall back on to make their food better: Salt, Fat, Acid and Heat.

By mastering these four variables, Samin found the confidence to trust her instincts in the kitchen and cook delicious meals with any ingredients. And with…


Just Eat It: How intuitive eating can help you get your shit together around food

By Laura Thomas,

Book cover of Just Eat It: How intuitive eating can help you get your shit together around food

Why this book?

Just Eat It will change the way you think about diets, especially restrictive ones. It covers the ins and outs of Intuitive Eating and goes in-depth about the toxic cycle of the diet culture. It's well-researched and insightful, and it helps you build a healthier relationship with your body.

Just Eat It: How intuitive eating can help you get your shit together around food

By Laura Thomas,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Just Eat It as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'Truly life-changing' - Dolly Alderton

'The only 'diet' book worth reading this new year' - Alexandra Heminsley, Grazia

Just Eat It isn't just a book. It's part of a movement to help us take back control over our bodies. To free us from restrictive dieting, disordered eating and punishing exercise. To reject the guilt and anxiety associated with eating and, ultimately, to help us feel good about ourselves.

This anti-diet guide from registered nutritionist Laura Thomas PhD can help you sort out your attitude to food and ditch punishing exercise routines. As a qualified practitioner of Intuitive Eating - a…


Carpathia: Food from the Heart of Romania

By Irina Georgescu,

Book cover of Carpathia: Food from the Heart of Romania

Why this book?

This book holds a dear place in my heart as it features delicious traditional recipes from my home country, Romania. It brings to life old recipes that embody Romania's historical multicultural influences. It includes unique and original recipes which you'll have a hard time finding elsewhere.

Carpathia: Food from the Heart of Romania

By Irina Georgescu,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Carpathia as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"Imbued with generosity, the spirit of community, and the flavours of a rich and varied culture" -NIGELLA LAWSON

Carpathia invites you to explore Romania's unique, bold and delicious cuisine: an exciting and unexpected amalgamation of all its diverse influences.

As a cultural melting pot its character is rooted in many traditions from Greek, Turkish and Slavic in the south and east, to Austrian, Hungarian and Saxon in the north and west.

From chargrilled aubergines, polenta fritters and butterbean hummus, to tangy bors, stuffed breads and Viennese-style layer cakes, Irina Georgescu has created over 100 mouth-watering dishes that are easy to…


How to Photograph Food: Compose, Shoot, and Edit Appetizing Images

By Beata Lubas,

Book cover of How to Photograph Food: Compose, Shoot, and Edit Appetizing Images

Why this book?

I'm sure all foodies like to take pictures of their food, and often share them on social media. If you are passionate about food and want to learn how to share that passion with the world through the art of photography, then this book is for you. Beata is a wonderful teacher who knows how to cover all the necessary steps for becoming a food photographer.

How to Photograph Food: Compose, Shoot, and Edit Appetizing Images

By Beata Lubas,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Photograph Food as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

For amateurs and pros looking to add to their portfolios, How to Photograph Food makes food photography a piece of cake!
How to Photograph Food is the gorgeous, informative photography book you didn't know you needed. For budding photographers and social media personalities, the perfect image has never been easier to capture, and How to Photograph Foodputs it all within reach. Chapters include: Gear Lighting Frame and Balance Food Styling Photo Editing Thinking like a Pro
You'll learn the essential equipment, how to keep food looking good on a shoot, how to work with props, managing lighting, and much more,…


Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook

By Yotam Ottolenghi,

Book cover of Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook

Why this book?

If you want to up your weeknight meal with delicious Middle-Eastern flavors and if you want to learn how to combine veggies in so many delicious ways, then you must read Yotam Ottolenghi's cookbook. He's a true genius of the Middle-Eastern cuisine and probably no other chef can mix unique flavors and simple ingredients as well as he does. While the recipes are truly unique, you'll find that they’re made with simple ingredients in under 30 minutes.

Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook

By Yotam Ottolenghi,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Ottolenghi Simple as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

JAMES BEARD AWARD FINALIST • The New York Times bestselling collection of 130 easy, flavor-forward recipes from beloved chef Yotam Ottolenghi.

In Ottolenghi Simple, powerhouse author and chef Yotam Ottolenghi presents 130 streamlined recipes packed with his signature Middle Eastern–inspired flavors, all simple in at least (and often more than) one way: made in 30 minutes or less, with 10 or fewer ingredients, in a single pot, using pantry staples, or prepared ahead of time for brilliantly, deliciously simple meals. Brunch gets a make-over with Braised Eggs with Leeks and Za’atar; Cauliflower, Pomegranate, and Pistachio Salad refreshes the side-dish rotation;…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in cooking, food, and diet?

7,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about cooking, food, and diet.

Cooking Explore 77 books about cooking
Food Explore 56 books about food
Diet Explore 13 books about diet

And, 3 books we think you will enjoy!

We think you will like Plenty, My Pizza, and Tasty if you like this list.