A tradition my group of girlfriends and I have enjoyed for a few years now is Cookbook Club. Whenever I talk about it in stories, I get a bunch of questions about how it works, so I wanted to break it all down in case it’s something you’d like to do with your friends!

 

HOW OFTEN?

We are mostly all moms and busy with work and social obligations, so carving out one night per month for Cookbook Club has been perfect to give us one regularly occurring, dedicated night to all be together. We always do it on a Friday night at 7. Usually, we will take a vote and see which Friday night works the best for the majority.

 

 

WHO HOSTS & WHAT ARE HER RESPONSIBILITIES?

We take turns, so there is a different host each month!

The host is the only person that purchases the cookbook (you can even get them at the library!) and then she sends out an email with a link to a Google Drive folder, which holds photos of all the best recipes, from appetizers to sides and entrees, to desserts and drinks. In the same email, she sends a Google Spreadsheet link so that everyone can sign up and write in their chosen recipe.

Typically, the host cooks one of the main entrees and also sets a table for all of us. We all bring our own drinks!

 

WHICH COOKBOOK?

The host gets to choose the cookbook, so it changes monthly!

 

DO YOU TALK ABOUT THE COOKBOOK, AS YOU WOULD IN A BOOK CLUB?

Not really. When we get to Cookbook Club, we just mingle and have fun! Before we sit down to eat, we all stand in the kitchen and take turns sharing what recipe we made, as well as any feedback about it. “I would have used more cheese, had this been my own recipe.” or “My husband stole one of these cookies and said it was the best cookie he’s ever had, so the recipe is good!” Those kinds of things.

 

THEN WHAT HAPPENS?

We each fix a plate with all of the dishes, then we sit down and enjoy ourselves. It’s such a fun time and I can’t recommend it enough!

 

WHAT DO YOU WEAR?

We normally just dress casually, but this past time, we all dressed up as ladies from The Real Housewives! It was so fun to have a theme (and hilarious) but we normally don’t do that.

 

WHO COMES?

It all started with my core group of Charleston friends, but then little by little we each started inviting a few new people each time. It was always a “the more the merrier” thing! When the pandemic hit, we stopped doing cookbook club for a very long time. Now that we have kicked it back off, we have made a conscious effort to try and keep it a little smaller with all things considered.

Let me know in my IG post today if you have any questions I didn’t answer! x