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Kitchen & Cooking

12 cookbooks to celebrate Women's History Month

Expert recipes from top chefs, restaurateurs, wine pros, and more.

Five cookbooks on a mint colored, patterned background Credit: Reviewed / Tara Jacoby

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

In my house, every month is Women's History Month, just ask my husband! I never need an excuse to order my favorite women-made olive oil brands, shop these gorgeous girl-powered boxed cake kits, or cook with my collection of woman-owned cookware.

That said, I always look for an excuse to buy new cookbooks, so I've created one for myself (and for you) because 'tis the season.

Here are my picks for cookbooks and cocktails books written by women chefs, cheese experts, bartenders, activists, and more. Snag a copy for yourself, send one to a woman you love, then cook yourself something delicious from the pages of these femme-forward bestsellers.

1. Why We Cook

Left: A photo of the cookbook, Why We Cook. Right: An illustration of ingredients being prepped for cooking.
Credit: Workman Publishing

This cookbook is a collection of recipes from over 100 women chefs and food industry professionals.

This is an illustrated cookbook curated by artist and writer Lindsay Gardner, featuring recipes, essays, and profiles from over 100 women authors, writers, chefs, restaurateurs, activists, and other food industry professionals.

Fellow cookbook author and TV personality Carla Hall said, "[This cookbook] highlights our voices and varied perspectives in and out of the kitchen and empowers us to reclaim our place in it.” And if that's not a glowing recommendation, I'm not sure what is!

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Why We Cook

This book highlights the stories of more than one hundred women restaurateurs, activists, food writers, professional chefs, and home cooks.

$10 at Amazon

2. Black Girl Baking

Left: A photo of the cookbook, Black Girl Baking. Right: A tray of chocolate cupcakes with min chocolate icing.
Credit: Page Street Publishing / Instagram / @chocolateforbasil

Jerrelle Guy's debut cookbook includes baking recipes with vegan and gluten-free options.

Jerrelle Guy's Black Girl Baking is all about baking (and cooking) with your senses. It's about feeling the food and nourishing yourself—moreso than following the recipes to a T. As a writer and photographer, Guy's recipes are as well-written as they were beautifully photographed.

Oatmeal Cheddar Cheese Moon Pies, Blistered Tomato Sheet Pizza, and Strawberry Butter Rose Buns are a few of the treats you'll find within this book's pages, including vegan and gluten-free options for each baked good.

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Black Girl Baking

Indulge in sweet and savory goodies featured in this renowned cookbook.

$15 at Amazon

3. Simply Julia

Left: A photo of the cookbook, Simply Julia. Right: Overhead photo of three white and blue bowls filled with orange and Greek yogurt cake.
Credit: Harper Collins

This is the latest cookbook from author and chef Julia Turshen.

Author, chef, and activist has written and contributed numerous cookbooks to date, but this one particularly hits home. Since we all need a little comfort food every now and again, Turshen has suggestions for nourishing, inspired dishes beyond the recipes you've had on loop for months. Personally, I can't wait to try her Orange and Greek Yogurt Cake (pictured above).

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Simply Julia

This book is chock full of 100+ comfort food recipes.

$15 at Amazon

4. My Shanghai

:eft: A photo of the cookbook, My Shanghai. Right: An overhead photo of various bowls filled with ingredients to be used for cooking.
Credit: Harper Collins

This highly anticipated cookbook was released March of 2021.

One of our contributors, Valerie Li Stack, has a particular affection for this cookbook. In it, author Betty Liu organizes her recipes loosely based on seasonality, which is exactly the same relationship Stack's family has with food.

In her roundup of cookbooks to celebrate the Lunar New Year, Stack noted that this is one of the few cookbooks dedicated to Shanghainese cooking, which includes regional dishes like Nanjing Salted Duck and Lion’s Head from the neighboring Yangtze river delta.

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My Shanghai

Explore the modern metropolis of Shanghai through 100 mouthwatering recipes

$19 at Amazon

5. In Bibi's Kitchen

Left: A photo of the cookbook, In Bibi's Kitchen. Right: A woman mixes food in a pan over an open flame.
Credit: Penguin Random House

Hawa Hassan's debut cookbook is filled with recipes from grandmothers from eight African countries.

Contributing author Erika Hardison included this cookbook in her roundup of cookbooks by Black chefs—Somali chef Hawa Hassan has included 75 recipes from grandmothers, or "bibi." Hassan's cookbook is the next best thing to actual travel thanks to flavorful spices and pairings. Try the Ajemi Bread with Carrots and Green Pepper or the Shiro (Ground Chickpea Stew) for a hearty solution to everyday meals.

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In Bibi's Kitchen

This award-winning book guides readers through a heart-warming story and indulgent recipes.

$19 at Amazon

6. Run Fast. Eat Slow. Nourishing Recipes for Athletes

Left: book cover of Run Fast, Eat Slow. Right: plate of grains and veggies topped with an egg
Credit: Run Fast, Eat Slow

This isn't a dieting book: Rather than restricting, this cookbook centers around adding more satiating foods to your plate.

Four-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan knows a thing or two about fueling your body for a productive run or workout. That's why she teamed up with chef Elyse Kopecky to curate a book full of 100 recipes designed to taste just as good as they feel. With plenty of meals, snacks, and drinks that are delicious, filling, and still (somehow) free from flour and refined sugar, this book is the ideal counterpart for any active foodie.

Recipes from Shalane and Elyse will be featured in our Chef's Course newsletter. Sign up below to get them directly in your inbox.

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Run Fast, Eat Slow

Active foodies will love the nourishing, tasty recipes that are featured in this cookbook.

$15 at Amazon

7. Coconut & Sambal

Left: A photo of the cookbook, Coconut & Sambal. Right: One hand holds a bowl filled with food while the other lifts a food-filled fork.
Credit: Bloomsbury / Food52 / Louise Hagger

This cookbook has been praised by the likes of The New York Times, Food & Wine, Forbes, and more.

Travel to the islands of Indonesia with Lara Lee's highly praised cookbook, Coconut & Sambal. Lee uses simple techniques to elevate the ingredients in each recipe, incorporating storytelling so the reader registers a deep sense of place as they eat. Discover dishes like Nasi Goreng and Pandan Cake, alongside recipes for flavorful, spicy relishes to compliment every meal: sambals.

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Coconut & Sambal

Fragrant flavors of Indonesia abound in this renowned cookbook.

$33 at Amazon

8. Saltwater Table

Left: A photo of the cookbook, Saltwater Table. Right: Overhead shot of a hand spreading sauce on fried oysters, plated on a white platter on top of a modern white table.
Credit: Harry N. Abrams

Chef Whitney Otawka's cookbook takes readers to what she calls the Coastal South.

Longtime restaurant chef Whitney Otawka wrote this cookbook as an homage to her chosen home, what she calls the Coastal South. Geographically speaking, this area includes the Atlantic coasts of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Otawka organizes her cookbook by food season: oyster, vegetable, shrimp, heat, and finally smoke and cedar. Seafood-heavy recipes like Blue Crab Ceviche and Grilled Head-On Shrimp are punctuated by an all-southern cheese board and thirst quenching cocktails.

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The Saltwater Table

This cookbook centers classic southern food with a twist.

$27 at Amazon

9. Hot Cheese

Left: A photo of the cookbook, Hot Cheese. Right: Hands lift fondue sticks laden with cheesy bread out of a small red fondue pot.
Credit: Chronicle Books / Instagram / @polina.chesnakova

Hot Cheese is filled with rich, gooey recipes to eat alone or share with friends.

Cheese lovers, this one's for you: Polina Chesnakova has crafted a delightfully cheesy book with recipes for every occasion. Whether you're prepping for an intimate at-home fondue night or a full-blown fromage fête, Hot Cheese has the finger foods, starring mains, supporting sides, and more cheese-centric eats for any time of day.

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Hot Cheese

Who doesn't love a good cheesy recipe?

$14 at Amazon

10. A Woman's Drink

Left: A dark purple-hued cookbook titled A Woman's Drink. Right: The cookbook lays open on a white countertop surrounded by various bar tools and cocktail ingredients, with a hand pressing gently to keep the cookbook open.
Credit: Chronicle Books

This cocktail book was inspired by the Brooklyn-based bars Elsa and Ramona.

Recreate the feeling of your favorite trendy cocktail bar at home with Natalka Burian's A Woman's Drink. Inspired by NYC-based Elsa, co-owned by Burian, this book is packed with recipes for gorgeous, imaginative libations.

Try the Death in the Afternoon (absinthe, chilled Prosecco, and a white sugar cube), or sample the Tequila Old Fashioned (agave, orange bitters, tequila, etc.)—there's something for everyone.

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A Woman's Drink

Learn how to make the perfect cocktail at home with this helpful guide.

$12 at Amazon

11. Spirits of Latin America

Left: A photo of the cocktail book, Spirits of Latin America. Right: A closeup photo of a red-hued cocktail topped with an orange peel.
Credit: Ten Speed Press / Leyanda

Many of the recipes in this cocktail book were inspired by the bar and restaurant, Leyanda.

James Beard Award-nominated Ivy Mix takes readers on a journey through Latin America by way of spirits, cocktails, and beverage culture. Many of the cocktail recipes are inspired by the Brooklyn-based bar and restaurant she co-ownes, Leyenda. Learn about rum styles, find out the difference between mezcal and tequila, and follow "the sugar trail" to the world of grape-based spirits.

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Spirits of Latin America

Sip 100+ cocktails that feature tequila, rum, pisco, and more.

$25 at Amazon

12. Always Add Lemon

Left: A photo of the Always Add Lemon cookbook. Right: Closeup image of cheesy pasta with bright red cherry tomatoes and fresh torn basil.
Credit: Hardie Grant

Australia-based chef Danielle Alvarez makes her cookbook debut with Always Add Lemon.

I'm a firm believer in adding citrus to (almost) every dish, so Danielle Alvarez's debut cookbook feels right up my alley. If you have a similar zest for life, you'll find over 100 vegetable-forward, seasonal recipes in Always Add Lemon, from salads to desserts and everything in between. (Food pun 100% intended.)

Product image of Always Add Lemon
Always Add Lemon

This cookbook embraces the role of citrus in food.

$20 at Amazon

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