World Book Day: 15 Cookbooks That Need to Be On Your Shelf

Let’s face it: the right cookbook is more than just a guide to dinner. It’s a window into someone’s grandmother’s kitchen, a passport stamped with masala, matcha, or marinara. These are the cookbooks that bring joy, a little chaos, and a whole lot of soul into your kitchen. They hold stories as much as they do recipes—of migration and identity, of weeknight experiments gone wrong, and of the first dish you finally nailed without calling your mum.

This World Book Day, set aside the romance novels and dive into the kitchen with these 15 cookbooks that celebrate flavour, culture, and connection.

The Classics: Ones That Never Let You Down

1. White Heat by Marco Pierre White

 

A defining work in modern culinary history, White Heat captures Marco Pierre White at his most raw, both in the kitchen and on the page. Equal parts memoir and manual, it offers a gritty look into the high-stakes world of '80s fine dining. It’s easy to see why he’s known as the ‘Godfather of Modern Cooking.’

 

 

The black and white photographs by Bob Carlos Clarke are what put the book on everyone's radar, exciting excitement and curiosity. This book and the accompanying photographs were a sneak peek into the chef's magnetic personality as well as his culinary genius.

2. The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer 

Part manual, part time capsule, this timeless guide has earned its place on countertops for nearly a century. Covering everything from soufflés to Sunday roasts, its reassuring tone and practical advice have guided generations. Known as America's most beloved cookbook, Joy of Cooking truly makes the reader fall in love with the act of cooking itself.

3. Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child and Simone Beck

Yes, Meryl Streep may have introduced many of us to Julia Child, but it’s the detailed technique and unmistakable charm of the author that keep us coming back.

A rite of passage for any home cook, this book makes French cuisine feel both ambitious and attainable. With simple instructions that explain complex French dishes, the book is for the "servantless American cook", in her own words. Simone Beck and Julia Child added a quirk and whimsy to cookbooks that is rare to see but much appreciated.

4. Classic Indian Cooking by Julie Sahni

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Khushbu Shah (@khushandoj)

A definitive deep dive into traditional Indian cuisine, Sahni’s structured and clear instructions guide readers through time-honoured techniques. With dishes like Crab Malabar and Ras Malai, and over 100 helpful line drawings, this is a must-have for anyone building their Indian kitchen repertoire.

5. Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art by Shizuo Tsuji

Published in 1980, this book remains one of the most revered introductions to Japanese cuisine. Tsuji approaches the subject with thoughtful precision and poetic elegance, honouring both the philosophy and craft of Japanese cooking.

The Diaspora: Where Food Meets Feeling

6. Made In India: Recipes From An Indian Family Kitchen by Meera Sodha

Every recipe feels like a family heirloom—warm, approachable, and full of heart. From spicy Chilli Paneer to rich Lamb Curry, Sodha’s dishes bring the magic of Indian home cooking to modern tables with ease.

7. Amrikan: 125 Recipes From The Indian Diaspora by Khushbu Shah

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Khushbu Shah (@khushandoj)

Bold, funny, and deeply personal, Amrikan explores the in-between spaces of identity through 125 recipes from the Indian-American diaspora. From Moon Dal Waffles to Cilantro Mint Chutney, Shah redefines what it means to cook Indian food the American way.

8. Madhur Jaffrey’s Ultimate Curry Bible by Madhur Jaffrey

A sweeping exploration of curry in all its forms, Jaffrey’s book is a masterclass in flavour and storytelling. From India to Thailand and Pakistan, her signature voice and deep knowledge make this a global ode to one of the world’s most beloved dishes.

9. Indian-ish by Priya Krishna

Blending humour and homely recipes, Indian-ish reads like a conversation with your favourite cousin. Think Roti Pizza, Tomato Rice with Crispy Cheddar, and recipes that celebrate hybrid identities with flavour and flair.

10. Diasporican by Illyanna Maisonet

Maisonet’s tribute to Puerto Rican food is rooted in memory and migration. As the first Puerto Rican food columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle, her voice is fierce. The recipes are drawn from her family’s kitchen and community elders, offering a glimpse of Puerto Rican cuisine that is as much about resistance as it is about comfort. Dishes like Pernil and Arroz con Gandules are interwoven with history, making this a cultural archive.

The Kitchen Essentials: The Ones You’ll Cook From

11. Pasta by Hand by Jenn Louis

A tribute to regional Italian dumplings, this book is perfect for hands-on cooks. From gnocchi to lesser-known shapes like pisarei, Louis offers a flour-dusted journey through Italy’s most comforting traditions.

12. Maangchi’s Big Book of Korean Cooking by Maangchi

Loved for her YouTube tutorials, Maangchi brings her warmth and expertise to the page. With step-by-step visuals and friendly instructions, this book is a gateway into Korean cuisine, from kimchi to comforting stews.

13. The Book of Chai by Mira Manek

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by M ī R A M A N E K (@miramanek)

More than just a recipe book, The Book of Chai is about rituals and mindfulness. Manek blends family stories, spiritual reflections, and soulful brewing in a collection that turns tea time into a sacred daily pause.

14. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat

With this book, Samin Nosrat changes how we perceive food itself. This foundational guide breaks cooking down into four elements, helping readers understand the underlying principles of flavour. With Wendy MacNaughton’s whimsical illustrations and Nosrat’s clarity of thought, it is a book that invites learning without intimidation. Part textbook, part pep talk, it is both enlightening and empowering.

15. The Food Lab by  J. Kenji López-Alt

 

If you’ve ever been curious about how recipes work, this book will feel like a revelation. J. Kenji López-Alt, trained in science and seasoned in restaurant kitchens, unpacks cooking with data, diagrams and wit. The recipes, largely centred around American comfort food, are tested to near perfection. Whether it’s the crispiest roast potatoes or a better scrambled egg, this is precision without pretension.

Whether you're chasing nostalgia, mastering technique, or simply trying to figure out what’s for dinner, the right cookbook becomes more than a collection of recipes—it becomes part of your story. This World Book Day, let your next great read come with a pinch of salt, a drizzle of olive oil, and a side of something sizzling.