We know that lots of our customers love to cook as well as eating delicious dishes. Building a great cookbook collection can ensure that you always have tasty recipes on hand. You will be ready for a casual lunch, celebratory dinner, or even a large party.

We’ve put together some tips to help you build up a good collection in your home. Whether you are cooking for your family or just for yourself, you’ll be able to equip your kitchen for enjoyable cooking.

1. Explore a range of cooking skills

Try to pick some books that you will be able to cook from almost every day as well as some that will really challenge you. This way you can learn new skills to impress guests but you can also get inspiration for daily family meals. You could also select some books that cover specific cooking skills such as baking or confectionery.

2. Choose books that meet your dietary needs

If there is something that you cannot eat, or that you choose not to eat, then try to avoid books that feature this heavily. If you eat a vegetarian or vegan diet there are now lots of books that cater specifically to you.

3. Look for books with great photography

You’ll get a better idea of what you are making if the books that you choose have great photography. Some even include step by step pictures to help you put the dishes together. You’ll also get plating inspiration which can help you to create beautiful plates for your guests. Even if you are buying books online, you can usually explore some of the pages to see the photography style.

4. Check out second hand books

You can sometimes find great prices on cookbooks in thrift stores. You’ll also find a wide range and some books that you might not find in stores today. Exploring older books can help you find extra inspiration. You could also find some great books to borrow in your family’s kitchen for your cookbook collection. If there is something that you love to have cooked for you, then they might be able to give you the secret!

5. Make sure you have storage

You don’t want to find that your kitchen is overrun with cookbooks! Ensure that you have shelving in place to keep your books on. A cupboard can help to keep them clean and a glass door could help you to see your books at a glance. If you haven’t got much room, just pick a few key books.

6. Pick a range of cuisines

Expand your culinary horizons and you’ll be able to explore the world from the comfort of your kitchen! Think about your favorite foods to eat on holiday and pick books based on trying to cook them at home. You could even try something completely new to add to your repertoire.

We hope that these tips will help you to put together a great selection of recipe books. Which books are essential to your cookbook collection? Let us know in the comments!