Molly, Kristin, Andrea and Kate tackle the topic of cookbook criticism, spurred on by recent online conversations. They discuss what it could look like, its importance and what the lack of rigorous criticism means for cookbook publishing. They talk about the unique obstacles to reviewing cookbooks, the elements reviews should highlight and why we need to be wary of echo chambers. Our hosts speak on the idea that this genre isn't taken as seriously as others, what that means for cookbook quality and share what they specifically want to see in a good cookbook.

Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Cookbooks And Criticism by Tim Mazurek

Cooks Without Borders by Leslie Brenner

Where the Heck Is All the Cookbook Criticism? by Paula Forbes

A Wine Guide for a Changing World (for Better and for Worse) in NYT

Episode 19: Do Cookbook Awards Matter? | Charlotte Druckman

Episode 49: Cookbook Media Coverage with Bonnie Benwick

Kitchen Bookshelf on Instagram

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

• Modern Proper by Holly Erickson and Natalie Mortimer
• Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi