How to Write a Cookbook Review
Cookbooks provide guidance for the beginner, intermediate and also advanced level cooks. If you want to read and review cookbooks, you should ideally know how to speak to cooks on all of these levels. In addition, you should have some professional experience to qualify as a legitimate critic. A cookbook review can be a bit more complex to write compared to a standard book since you have to critique and test the recipes enclosed.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Select at least two or three recipes from the cookbook to test. To write an accurate and complete review you must actually test the writer's food creations first before giving the book any criticism or praise.
-
2
Take notes during and after the preparation of the recipes you selected. To write a cookbook review, it is important to provide a comprehensive view of how well the writer describes how to prepare, create, cook and present the dish. Take detailed notes on the taste and appearance of the food when it's finished.
-
-
3
Start your written review by identifying the title, author and general theme of the cookbook. Provide an overview of the type of food discussed in the cookbook and the preparation techniques suggested by the author. Include notes on the format, style and presentation. Remember to comment on the quality of food photos as well.
-
4
Discuss the recipes you sampled in detail next. Base this on the notes you took while testing recipes. You can also discuss your overall opinion of the other recipes presented in the book that you have not tested based on a variety of details, such as how appetizing, different, healthy or simple they seem.
-
5
Provide comments on any stories or background reading the author provides in addition to the recipes. For instance, some Italian cooks like to discuss the old world, people, places and experiences to add more substance to the book.
-
6
Summarize your impression of the recipes and cooking style of the author, as well as your opinion of the book as a package for beginners, intermediates and experts. Set a star rating for the cookbook ranging from one, the lowest rating, to five, the best rating.
-
1
