Top 10 Cookbooks to Gift This Christmas

Every keen home cook loves a cookbook to curl up with on Boxing Day and we've rounded up ten of our favourites to give as gifts - or maybe to keep for yourself.

Abundance - Mark Diacono

Subtitled 'Eating and Living with the Seasons', Abundance is a record of the author's year living on the south-west coast of England, quietly contemplating life, his garden and his next meal. With beautiful, evocative writing and engaging seasonal recipes including Pea and Tarragon Soup, Hazelnut and Rose Cake, and Seville Orange Spiced Rum, this is a cook book that is a real joy to read

RRP: £30.00

Padella - Tim Siadatan

As one of London's most iconic fresh pasta restaurants, Padella has highlighted sensational pasta since 2016 with notable dishes like Beef Shin Ragu and Pici Cacio e Pepe. Now you can bring the plates which cause queues round the block to your own kitchen.

The book includes Padella classics and others such as Tagliarini with Crab, Chilli, Lemon & Parsley, Fettuccine with Nduja, Lemon & Mascarpone, and home staples like Spaghetti with Garlic, Capers & Black Pepper, along with many off-menu favourites shared here for the first time. You'll find everything from everyday recipes to simple but sublime dishes that celebrate seasonal ingredients, as well as step- by-step guides to equipment and techniques for making your own fresh pasta at home, including ravioli, gnocchi,and many more!

RRP: £25.00

French Classics - Matthew Ryle

This encouraging and accessible guide to classic French cookery from the Executive Chef of Maison François in London contains all the recipes you need, from everyday meals to elevated dishes: French Onion Soup, Dijon Roast Chicken, Country Terrine, TarteTatin and a classic Vinaigrette that we put on everything from a plain salad to warm green beans.

RRP: £26.00

Indian 101 - Karan Gokani

Bestselling food writer and co-founder of Hoppers Restaurants, Karan Gokani, is set to transform home cooking with his latest cookbook, Indian 101, a fresh, accessible guide to real, delicious Indian home food. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cook, this book makes authentic Indian recipes easy, intuitive, and enjoyable, proving that you don’t need a cupboard full of spices, complex techniques or hours in the kitchen to create incredible Indian dishes, including Onion Bhajias, Tangy Tamarind Chutney, Chicken 65 and Potato Chaat.

RRP: £28.00

Flavour Heroes - Gurdeep Loyal

Think of this as a capsule wardrobe for your food cupboard. Packed with 90 new recipes and a whole host of tips and tricks, Gurdeep Loyal shows home cooks of all abilities how to use 15 pantry powerhouse ingredients to elevate your cooking. From Nacho Cauliflower Cheese with chipotle chilli paste and Chicken Schnitzels with mango chutney to Treacle Mocha Brownies with instant espresso powder, Flavour Heroes is filled with food you will want to cook - and eat - every day.

RRP: £27.00

Quick and Easy Vietnamese - Uyen Lu

Quick and Easy Vietnamese shares simple yet delicious recipes that can be whipped up with minimum fuss. From Pork and Prawn Wontons and Battered Spring Onions to Lemongrass Minced Pork Vermicelli and Dill Fishcakes, as well as sweet treats such as Sweetcorn Rice Pudding and Tofu Pudding with Ginger Syrup, this is a collection of recipes that are perfect for any time of the week.

RRP: £25.00

Food You Want to Eat - Thomas Straker

If the name Thomas Straker sounds familiar, you've probably admired, saved or even followed his viral All Things Butter videos on social media, which have had over a billion views. This is just one side of a professional chef with experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and a passion for seasonality; recipes include Sea Bass with Lentils and Salsa Verde, 'Nduja and Mozzarella Flatbread, Chilli Cheese Smash Burger and Chocolate Mousse - and, of course, there's a chapter on butter.

RRP: £25.00

The Spanish Pantry - José Pizarro

Similar to Flavour Heroes above, chef and restaurateur José Pizarro takes twelve key basic ingredients - think tomatoes, citrus fruit, almonds, beans or rice - and shows you how to turn them into delicious dishes such as Luxurious Tomato Sauce, Crispy Fried Manchego Salad, Saffron and Prawn Croquetas and Warm Olive Oil and Almond Cake with Preserved Peaches. It's inspiring, and will transport you straight to Spain.

RRP: £28.00

Good Things - Samin Nosrat

Nearly eight years in the making, Good Things is a collection of over 125 of Samin’s most useful and beloved everyday recipes and tips, alongside personal stories about how cooking can be a source of meaning and beauty in one’s life and gorgeous photography by Samin’s friend Aya Brackett. From a comforting tomato soup to console a struggling friend, to Samin’s decades-in-the-making yellow cake with chocolate frosting, Good Things is an essential, joyful guide to cooking and living.

RRP: £30.00

The Scandinavian Year - Brontë Aurell

Cook your way through the Scandinavian seasons with this memoir-style cookbook. From Salmon Paté, Swedish Rosti and Danish Meatballs to Buttermilk Rolls, Syrup Cake and Upside-down Apple Cake with Custard, it is packed with easy, homely dishes that will become favourite midweek staples.

RRP: £25.00

[Items in this article may have been gifted to Chatting Food. No financial payment has been made to feature in this article, and entries to the feature are made independently by members of the Editorial Team. This page contains affiliate links and we may receive a small commission for purchases].

Deputy Editor, Chatting Food London: Amanda David

Amanda David is a freelance food and drinks writer specialising in London’s restaurants, bars and events. She is the author of EAT THIS NOW! on Substack, the Events Editor and a contributing writer for London Cheapo, a regular contributor to Palate Magazine and a Member of the Guild of Food Writers.

Follow Amanda on Substack and on Instagram: @LondonGAT