Food has the power to connect us to our roots, our culture, and our memories. It can be a source of comfort, pleasure, and sometimes even conflict. In this post, we explore 10 novels about food and cooking. All the books on this list use culinary elements as a central theme and bring to life the unique ways in which food can shape our lives and our relationships. Some even incorporate mouth-watering recipes into the plot; and how cool is it to discover a new favorite recipe inside a beautiful story?

1. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

Magical realism, forbidden romance, family, Mexican culture, recipes, and home remedies combine in this bestselling book first published in 1990. Translated into over 30 languages and turned into a blockbuster motion picture, it’s probably one of the most famous books on this list. This sweet, enchanting novel is charming and inspiring. The various recipes are as enjoyable as the story!

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2. The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais

Described as Slumdog Millionaire meets Ratatouille, this enchanting novel tells the story of an Indian family that moves to a small Alpine village in France and opens an inexpensive Indian restaurant near a famous French eatery. Culinary and cultural traditions clash against the backdrop of the eccentric village and its residents, and exciting new adventures abound.

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3. The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

A “heartbreakingly delicious” novel about a chef and her students at a Monday night cooking class. Through shared experiences and culinary creations, the participants discover unexpected connections and experience personal growth. This bestselling novel is a must for lovers of cooking and drama.

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4. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

On her 9th birthday, Rose Edelstein bites into the lemon-chocolate cake her mother made her, and discovers she has a magical gift: the ability to sense the emotions of those who prepare her food. As she grows older and learns to navigate her gift, she uncovers dark secrets within her family. This Goodreads Choice Award nominee explores the complexity of human emotions and relationships, and the ways in which food and cooking can act as powerful conduits for expression and connection.

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5. Bread Alone by Judi Hendricks

If you’ve enjoyed Like Water to Chocolate, you’ll love this heart-warming, magical novel  about self-discovery, new beginnings and mouth-watering bread. When Wynter Morrison’s husband leaves her, she heads for Seattle and rediscovers her love for baking. Who among us hasn’t indulged in the comforting power of bread? And yes, there are plenty of recipes woven in!

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6. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café by Fannie Flagg

This heart-warming modern classic blends past and present with the story of a friendship between two women and that of two women running a café in Alabama in the 30s. Originally published in 1987 and turned into a movie in the early 90s, Fried Green Tomatoes incorporates traditional southern dishes (like the one referenced in its title), as well as themes such as aging, lesbianism, family, and the effects of racism on both black and white people.

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7. Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

A beautifully written debut novel that explores themes of grief, love, and food. The story follows Mikage, a young woman who finds solace in cooking after the death of her grandmother. Throughout the book, food acts as a way for characters to find connection and healing, and the descriptions of the dishes are both mouth-watering and poignant. If you enjoy the work of Haruki Murakami, and similar conteporary Japanese authors, this is a good one to check out.

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8. Delicious!  by Ruth Reichl

Food history, strong characters, and emotional comfort food abound in this bestselling novel about a woman who travels from her home in California to work for NYC’s most iconic food magazine. Set against the backdrop of New York’s vibrant culinary scene,  it offers fantasy, romance, and a reminder of the power of food to connect us to ourselves and others.

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9. The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller

Baking, romance, and small-town Vermont living – if you like sweet homecoming romance novels, you’ll adore this hugely popular book. From cinnamon-scented kitchens, to country fairs, love affairs, and small town friendliness, this wonderful piece of escapist fiction is comforting without being sickly. It perfectly captures the small town American dream.

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10. Gourmet Raphsody by Muriel Barbery

As a famous food critic lays dying in bed, he recalls memories of past gourmet meals, while searching for that one sublime, elusive flavour. Translated from French, this skilful, often snarky novel is told from the critic’s point of view, as well as those of the people (and others!) in his life. Celebrating life’s simple pleasures, it pokes fun at arrogance and the vulgarity of power. A great book for fans of French cuisine.

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11. Bonus book: Turtle Bread: A Graphic Novel About Baking, Fitting In, and the Power of Friendship by Kim-Joy.

Coming out in Oct 2023, this cute graphic novel includes illustrated recipes by the Great British Bake-off star and author. It tells the story of Yan, who gets over her social anxiety and discovers the joy of baking and new friendships when she stumbles upon a baking club on her way home from an unsuccessful job interview. Obviously, we’ve not read it yet, but it sounds absolutely lovely!

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Know of any more great books that incorporate food and cooking as a central theme? Let us know in the comments!

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