Top 10 Best Celebrity Cookbooks for the Holidays
Here are the top 10 best celebrity cookbooks for the holidays:
- Good Lookin' Cookin': A Year of Meals - A Lifetime of Family, Friends, and Food By Dolly Parton and Rachel Parton George
- The Tucci Cookbook by Stanley Tucci
- From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen By Snoop Dogg
- Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook By Brian Baumgartner (Kevin from The Office)
- Does This Taste Funny: Recipes Our Family Loves By Stephen Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert
- My Mexican Kitchen: 100 Recipes Rich with Tradition, Flavor, and Spice: A Cookbook By Eva Longoria
- Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen By Martha Stewart
- Knife Drop: Creative Recipes Anyone Can Cook By Nick DiGiovanni
- Smokin' with Myron Mixon By Myron Mixon
- Rodney Scott's World of BBQ: Every Day Is a Good Day: A Cookbook By Rodney Scott
The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and of course, food. Whether you’re preparing an elaborate feast or looking to add some festive flair to your everyday meals, celebrity cookbooks offer a wealth of inspiration. From traditional holiday recipes to new twists on classic dishes, many celebrity chefs and culinary stars have crafted cookbooks that are perfect for the holidays. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 best celebrity cookbooks that can elevate your holiday season with exciting recipes, tips, and ideas.
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Top 10 Best Celebrity Cookbooks for the Holidays
Celebrity cookbooks have become a staple in the culinary world, offering a unique blend of delicious recipes, behind-the-scenes stories, and a glimpse into the personal lives of our favorite stars. Whether you’re a foodie, a fan of celebrity culture, or simply looking for new inspiration in the kitchen, celebrity cookbooks are a great way to refresh your palate and explore new flavors. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the world of celebrity cookbooks, highlighting the top celebrity chefs and their cookbooks, delicious recipes for the holidays, and why celebrity cookbooks make great holiday gifts.
1. Good Lookin' Cookin': A Year of Meals - A Lifetime of Family, Friends, and Food
“Hey, good lookin’—what ya got cookin’?”
This is what Dolly Parton sings to her sister, Rachel Parton George, whenever she walks into her kitchen. It’s what you do when a love for good music and good food runs in the family.
In Good Lookin’ Cookin’, Dolly and Rachel share tips for hosting events all year long, including twelve multi-course menus of cherished recipes for New Year’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. You’ll learn how much butter or whipped cream goes into a “Dolly Dollop,” what condiment is almost always on the table at Parton family meals, and what special dish Rachel makes at Dolly’s request every year for her birthday.
Recipes include American classics such as:
- Country Ham and Biscuits
- Barbecue Spare Ribs
- Family Favorite Meatloaf
- Slaw of Many Colors
- Watermelon Fruit Salad
- Mac and Cheese
- and Strawberry Shortcake
Filled with more than 80 delicious dishes as well as photographs of Dolly and Rachel cooking and hosting all year long, Good Lookin’ Cookin’ is a treasured cookbook that will make you feel like part of the Parton family. With their trademark warmth and sisterly love, Dolly and Rachel remind you that cooking doesn’t need to be serious—it should be fun! And always good lookin’!
2. The Tucci Cookbook
The Tucci Cookbook brings wine pairings, updated recipes, gorgeous photography, and family memories to a new generation of Italian food lovers.
For acclaimed actor Stanley Tucci, teasing our taste buds in classic foodie films such as Big Night and Julie & Julia was a logical progression from a childhood filled with innovative homemade Italian meals.
Featured recipes include:
- Decadent Venetian Seafood Salad
- Rich and gratifying Lasagna Made with Polenta and Gorgonzola Cheese
- Spicy Spaghetti with Tomato and Tuna
- Delicate Pork Tenderloin with Fennel and Rosemary
- Fruity Roast Duck with Fresh Figs
- Flavorful Baked Whole Fish in an Aromatic Salt Crust
- Savory Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole with Potatoes
- Buttery Plum and Polenta Cake
- And yes, of course, the legendary Timpano
Featuring nearly 200 irresistible recipes perfectly paired with delicious wines, The Tucci Cookbook is brimming with robust flavors, beloved Italian traditions, mouthwatering photographs, and engaging, previously untold stories from the family’s kitchen.
3. From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen
The first cookbook and recipe book from Tha Dogg, From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg’s Kitchen. You’ve seen Snoop Dogg work his culinary magic on VH1’s Emmy-nominated Martha and Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party, and now Tha Dogg’s up in your kitchen … with his first cookbook in a spiral bound format.
The recipe book that delivers 50 recipes straight from Snoop’s own collection, featuring OG soul food cookbook staples like:
- Baked Mac & Cheese
- Fried Bologna Sandwiches with Chips
- Shrimp Po'Boy
- Plus, there are new takes on classic weeknight faves like Soft Flour Tacos and Easy Orange Chicken, making it a great source of easy food for busy nights.
And it doesn’t stop … Snoop’s giving a taste of the high life with remixes on upper echelon fare such as Lobster Thermidor and Filet Mignon. But we gotta keep it G with those favorite munchies, too, ya know? From chewy Starbursts to those glorious Frito BBQ Twists, you should have an arsenal of snacks that’ll satisfy you. And, of course, no party is complete without Gin and Juice and other platinum ways to entertain.
4. Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook: Over 100 of the Best Recipes in the World
No one takes barbecue more seriously than Brian Baumgartner, aka Kevin Malone from The Office!
This book includes:
- Over 100 recipes from influential BBQ chefs and influencers around the world, organized by regional style
- A variety of BBQ styles, including Texas, Kansas City, Carolina, and Memphis
- Funny and engaging, this book is written in the humorous tone Brian is known for
- Introduction by Brian includes the history of barbeque along with Brian's very own go-to barbecue recipes for grilled chicken and smoked baby back ribs
- Foreword by Andrew Rea of Binging with Babish, a cooking show on YouTube with more than 10 million subscribers
Brian Baumgartner (aka Kevin Malone from The Office) has traveled the world far and wide to bring you a collection of some of the world's most mouth-watering and outrageous BBQ recipes!
This ultimate collection of over 100 barbeque recipes includes famous regional styles, including Texas, Kansas City, North Carolina, Memphis, Kentucky, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, plus international, seafood, and accompanying side dishes, all submitted by home cooks, award-winning chefs, and well-known pitmasters from all corners of the earth. Also included are detailed instructions on how to make the perfect rubs and sauces, desserts, and drinks.
If you're new to the world of barbecue, Brian's got you covered: He's included a complete introductory section on barbecue essentials and cooking techniques, shares information on using a grill vs smoker, cooking times, a bit of BBQ history, and his own top secret recipe for The Best Grilled Chicken Breast with Whipped Garlic Sauce that leaves everyone speechless and begging for more!
For every home barbecue master who is serious about their BBQ, the Seriously Good Barbecue Cookbook is a definitive must-have!
5. Does This Taste Funny: Recipes Our Family Loves
As Evie and Stephen explain it, Does This Taste Funny? had its beginnings in the Covid lockdown. “We were all stuck together and couldn’t go out, so we cooked. We had all three kids back under one roof for the first time in a long time, and we had dinner each night as a family. Cooking together became a major source of entertainment.”
Now, the Colberts invite us into their kitchen and around their dining room table.
Sharing Stephen and Evie’s favorite recipes, as well as those of their family and friends, this book offers everything:
- From Party Food (called “party food” because “appetizers” implies something to follow when we all know that, often, this is the only course),
- To Seafood, Poultry, and Meat (“Evie and I have different relationships to meat. I like it. Evie can take it or leave it, and mostly she leaves it.”)
- To Desserts (“This is one of the largest sections of the book. Evie always reminds me that desserts are a great way to postpone clearing up.”)
- To Drinks (“I love cocktail hour. It feels like a reward for having gone so long without a cocktail”)
All tied together with playful dialogue between Stephen and Evie and gorgeous shots of their food, family, and home.
6. My Mexican Kitchen: 100 Recipes Rich with Tradition, Flavor, and Spice: A Cookbook
In My Mexican Kitchen, Eva Longoria embraces the techniques and flavors she discovered and brings them home to her Southern California kitchen. From dishes based on long-heeded Aztec traditions like Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde to her Tia Elsa’s Pork and Red Chile Tamales and Conchas that remind her of Mexico City, each recipe offers a delicious tribute to Mexican food and flavors.
In addition to recipes for Enfrijoladas, White Pozole, Shrimp Aguachile, Cheesy Tacos de Fideo with Chorizo, and Butternut Squash with Coconut Oil and Cayenne, Eva dives into the backstory of many key Mexican ingredients, from vanilla to agave.
Alongside recipes that are masa-based, like gorditas and sopes, she writes about the history of maize and masa, nixtamalization, and the commercialization of corn, and she speaks to tequila production and traditions prior to showcasing not one but three recipes for margaritas.
Eva’s genuine love for cooking and culinary-related history, along with her pride for her heritage shines on every page of this beautiful, meaningful, and delectable cookbook.
7. Martha: The Cookbook: 100 Favorite Recipes, with Lessons and Stories from My Kitchen
Martha Stewart celebrates her landmark 100th book with an intimate collection of 100 treasured recipes, along with stunning photos from her personal archives and the stories behind them. A must for anyone who has ever been inspired by the one and only Martha.
Join Martha in the kitchen as she shares her favorite recipes and invaluable tips.
Learn how to cook:
- Her mother’s humble Potato Pierogi
- Her decadent Gougères
- A comforting Apple Brioche Bread Pudding
- and the famous Paella she makes for the luckiest friends who visit her in the summer.
You’ll find something to satisfy everyone’s taste, whether it’s a simple meal you make for yourself, a weeknight family dinner, or a special celebration; recipes range from breakfast & brunch to soups & salads, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, dinner, and of course dessert.
Like a scrapbook of Martha’s life in cookbook form, this is the ultimate collection for devotees as well as newer fans who want to become more confident in the kitchen and do what Martha does best: Start with the basics and elevate them. From timeless classics to contemporary delights, these recipes reflect storied moments from her legendary, trailblazing career.
8. Knife Drop: Creative Recipes Anyone Can Cook
Home-cooked food doesn’t have to be over-the-top, fussy, or time-intensive to be absolutely amazing. In his debut cookbook, Nick DiGiovanni gives you the tools to become fearless in the kitchen and create delicious meals.
Building on a foundation of staple recipes such as basic pasta dough and homemade butter, Nick shares a mouthwatering selection of his favorite recipes. Feast on New England favorites like Browned Butter Lobster Rolls and Garlic Butter Steak Tips, enjoy decadent pasta dishes like Smoky Mezcal Rigatoni and Sungold Spaghetti and recreate fan favorites like his Viral Pasta Chips and Dino Nuggets. And, of course, Nick had to include some “collab” recipes from his famous friends like Andrew Zimmern, Robert Irvine, Joanne Chang, Lynja, and more.
Knife Drop also includes Nick’s expert advice on equipment, ingredients, and techniques, so home cooks of any ability level can pick up some new skills. Explore a library of QR codes linking to video tutorials showcasing key cooking techniques, from holding a chef’s knife and making a piping bag to pronouncing “gnocchi” the correct way.
9. Smokin' with Myron Mixon
The winningest man in barbecue shares the secrets of his success. Rule number one? Keep it simple.
In the world of competitive barbecue, nobody’s won more prize money, more trophies, or more adulation than Myron Mixon. And he comes by it honestly: From the time he was old enough to stoke a pit, Mixon learned the art of barbecue at his father’s side. He grew up to expand his parent’s sauce business, Jack’s Old South, and in the process became the leader of the winningest team in competitive barbecue.
It’s Mixon’s combination of killer instinct and killer recipes that has led him to three world championships and more than 180 grand championships and made him the breakout star of TLC’s BBQ Pitmasters.
Mixon shares more than 75 of his award-winning recipes—including one for the most sinful burger you’ll ever eat—and advice that will end any anxiety over cooking times and temps and change your backyard barbecues forever. He also fills you in on how he rose to the top of the competitive barbecue universe and his secrets for succulent success. Complete with mouth-watering photos, Smokin’ with Myron Mixon will fire you up for a tasty time.
10. Rodney Scott's World of BBQ: Every Day Is a Good Day: A Cookbook
Rodney Scott's World of BBQ is an uplifting story that speaks to how hope, hard work, and a whole lot of optimism built a rich celebration of his heritage—and of unforgettable barbecue.
In this cookbook, co-written by award-winning writer Lolis Eric Elie, Rodney spills what makes his pit-smoked turkey, barbecued spare ribs, smoked chicken wings, hush puppies, Ella's Banana Puddin', and award-winning whole hog so special.
Moreover, his recipes make it possible to achieve these special flavors yourself, whether you're a barbecue pro or a novice. From the ins and outs of building your own pit to poignant essays on South Carolinian foodways and traditions, this stunningly photographed cookbook is the ultimate barbecue reference.
It is also a powerful work of storytelling. In this modern American success story, Rodney details how he made his way from the small town where he worked for his father in the tobacco fields and in the smokehouse to the sacrifices he made to grow his family's business and the tough decisions he made to venture out on his own in Charleston.
Delicious Recipes for the Holidays
The holiday season is the perfect time to try out new recipes and cooking techniques, and celebrity cookbooks are a great source of inspiration. Here are some delicious recipes for the holidays that you can try:
- Gordon Ramsay’s Beef Wellington: A classic recipe that’s perfect for special occasions. This show-stopping dish will impress your guests and make your holiday meal unforgettable.
- Chrissy Teigen’s Cranberry Brie Bites: A delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that’s perfect for holiday parties. These bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit with your guests.
- Ina Garten’s Roasted Turkey: A classic recipe that’s sure to impress your guests. Garten’s foolproof method ensures a juicy and flavorful turkey every time.
- Jose Andres’ Vegetable Tart: A delicious and healthy recipe that’s perfect for a holiday dinner. This vibrant and flavorful tart will add a touch of elegance to your holiday table.
Why Celebrity Cookbooks Make Great Holiday Gifts
Celebrity cookbooks make great holiday gifts for several reasons. Firstly, they offer a unique and personalized touch that shows you care about the recipient’s interests and hobbies. Secondly, they provide a wealth of delicious recipes and cooking techniques that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Finally, they offer a glimpse into the personal lives of our favorite stars, making them a fun and entertaining read. Whether you’re looking for a gift for a foodie, a fan of celebrity culture, or simply someone who loves to cook, celebrity cookbooks are a great choice.
What to Look for in a Celebrity Cookbook
When shopping for a celebrity cookbook, there are several things to look for. Firstly, consider the type of cuisine and recipes that the cookbook features. If you’re looking for healthy recipes, for example, you may want to consider a cookbook that focuses on fresh flavors and ingredients. Secondly, the level of difficulty and complexity of the recipes should be considered. If you’re a beginner cook, you may want to look for a cookbook that features easy-to-make recipes and clear instructions. Finally, consider the overall quality and production of the cookbook, including the photography, design, and writing style. A well-produced cookbook can make all the difference in terms of enjoyment and usability.
