Cookbooks: 2021 Critics Picks |

At the end of each year, I look at booklists to see what cookbooks were mentioned the most. I look at lists from book critics, food writers and bloggers. Everyone has an opinion about food books.

It's taken a bit longer than usual to get the best cookbooks of the year post written. I think it's worth the wait.

The 2021 list includes both familiar names and newcomers who are sure to become favourites. There is something for everyone here.

The top two books were..

Black Food: Art and Recipes from Across the Diaspora edited and curated by Bryant Terry

Bryant Terry is no stranger to the Best Cookbooks blog post. His Vegetable Kingdom was a top pick of 2020. Not only a chef, Bryant also has a Master's degree in history; this book combines both of his passions in an exploration of the culinary history of the African diaspora. In Black Food, 100 contributors from around the world share recipes, stories, art and even playlists.

Rodney Scott's World of BBQ by Rodney Scott and Lolis Eric Elie

Pitmaster Rodney Scott began working in his paren'ts' Hemingway, South Carolina barbecue restaurant when he was 11 years old. At 17, he began working in the restaurant full time and his reputation grew with a New York Times profile in 2009. Scott left the family business in 2017 and opened his own restaurant in Charleston. In 2018, he became only the second pitmaster to win a James Beard Foundation Award.

Other frequently mentioned books

Ottolenghi Test Kitchen Shelf Love: Recipes to Unlock the Secrets of your Pantry, Fridge and Freezer by Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi

When restaurants closed for the 2020 lockdown, Yotam Ottolenghi and his 6 person test kitchen team scattered. Instead of developing and creating recipes for Ottolenghi's restaurants, each member of the team found themselves cooking for their families. Away from the well-stocked test kitchen, they discovered they needed to adapt to the limitations of their own kitchens. This book grew from their experiences. Ottolenghi cookbooks are frequently found on these year-end lists–Flavour in 2020 and Simple in 2018.

Baking with Dorie by Dorie Greenspan

Dorie Greenspan has been called a "culinary guru" by the New York Times. She was inspired by her travels for this book of sweet and savoury baking. Everyday Dorie was on the 2018 list of critics' picks.

Life is What You Bake it by Vallery Lomas

Vallery Lomas is a lawyer who decided she preferred baking. This book was inspired by her Louisiana childhood, travels to Paris and her current life in New York City. Lomas was the winner of the third season of The Great American Baking Show.