Explore Authentic New Orleans Cuisine with Expert Chef‑Authored Cookbooks
New Orleans cuisine is unforgettable - we’ve got beignets, po-boys, red beans and rice, and seafood cooked every which way. Whether you're here in the city, or want a taste of our cuisine from afar, these cookbooks are filled with ways to incorporate the flavors of the city into your home cooking. Learn how to cook like a pro with these New Orleans cookbooks and virtual cooking classes.
Cookbooks by New Orleans Chefs
Just because you’re homebound, doesn’t mean you’re deprived of flavor. These cookbooks from New Orleans chefs and restaurants offer a taste of their iconic dishes made in the comfort of your own home. The best part - these cookbooks can be delivered right to your door.
Chasing the Gator by Chef Isaac Toups
Chef Isaac Toups is a hometown hero when it comes to Cajun cooking. Taking readers from the backcountry to the bayou, Toups shows how to make gumbo, boudin, dirty rice, crab cakes, and his truly unforgettable double cut pork chop. Did we mention it comes with two handmade hot sauces when you order from the restaurant’s website? It’s a win-win.
Crescent City Cooking: Unforgettable Recipes from Susan Spicer's New Orleans
Chef Susan Spicer’s career has been legendary in New Orleans. Locals and tourists have enjoyed dining at her restaurants, Bayona and Rosedale, throughout the years, and all can have an inside look into her most famous Southern recipes.
Chef Kelly Fields' The Good Book of Southern Baking
Everyone knows the best chocolate chip cookies in town are found at Chef Kelly Fields' Willa Jean. Now, she's got a new cookbook that'll let us in on all the secrets to our favorite baked goods. With more than 100 recipes for bread, pies, muffins, cookies, cobblers and other tasty treats, you'll never grow tired of this cookbook.
The Dooky Chase Cookbook by Chef Leah Chase
The Queen of Creole Cuisine, the late chef Leah Chase is forever etched into New Orleans’ culinary history. Her book, “The Dooky Chase Cookbook,” is a collection of recipes from the restaurant of the same name and personal files, along with stories that reflect her Creole heritage.
Real Cajun and Down South by Chef Donald Link
Chef Donald Link’s famed restaurants come to life in your home kitchen through these Cajun recipes. Learn how to cook with bourbon, pork, and gulf shrimp the Cajun way. We guarantee you’ll be craving second helpings.
Southern Food & Beverage Museum Cookbooks
The Southern Food & Beverage Museum (SoFAB) in New Orleans is a nonprofit living history organization dedicated to the discovery, understanding and celebration of the food, drink, and related culture of the South. Its accomplished staff, including President and Director, Liz Williams, have a variety of books spanning from New Orleans: A Food Biography to Unique Eats and Eateries of New Orleans, plus more.
Poppy Tooker Cookbooks
Poppy Tooker can only be described as a Cultural Ambassador when it comes to the New Orleans culinary scene. She’s taken her talents and produced a number of books ranging from the history of iconic New Orleans restaurants such as Pascal’s Manale and Tujaque’s, to the stories of famed local chefs and stunning photos to the more recent tradition of drag queen brunch. You won’t grow bored reading these books.
Emeril Lagasse Cookbooks
The King of New Orleans cooking, Emeril Lagasse’s legacy makes an impact not only on the local dining scene, but the world. Through his 15 cookbooks, you’ll learn how to cook in the Creole tradition, whip up TV dinners and meals for a crowd, spice up sandwiches and one-pot wonders, and grill up a storm in your own backyard.
Brennan’s New Orleans Cookbook
For over 70 years, Brennan’s has been a Creole dining institution known for its decadent breakfast. Learn how to make eggs multiple ways, Brandy Milk Punch, and Bananas Foster with the restaurant’s original classic recipes.
Brigtsen's "Stay At Home" Cookbook
Written with self-quarantine in mind, Chef Frank Brigtsen's new cookbook will teach you how to make classic dishes as well as new favorites of his from your home kitchen. Included are recipes for his popular Caesar salad and étouffées, as well as Thai Vegetable Curry and a vegan, gluten-free gumbo. Known for his hospitality, you'll feel right at home in Brigtsen's new cookbook.
Commander's Kitchen, Commander's Wild Side, and In the Land of Cocktails by Ti Martin and friends
Commander’s Palace has been a New Orleans landmark since 1893. Experience the magic through their cookbooks. "Commander's Kitchen," by Ti Martin and former Executive Chef Jamie Shannon, takes readers behind the doors of the truly exciting culinary experience that is Commander's Palace. "Commander's Wild Side," crafted by Ti Martin and Executive Chef Tory McPhail, highlights dozens of dishes featuring wild game, fish, and fowl from one of America's favorite restaurants. Even more books are available here.
Ochsner Eat Fit Cookbook
Eating like a New Orlenian has never been healthier. Molly Kimball, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Journalist, wrote the Eat Fit Cookbook after collaborating with award-winning chefs and restaurateurs to create crowd-pleasing, good-for-you recipes you can make at home. The cookbook features more than 125 recipes, along with wellness tips and stories from chefs and foodies.
Mosquito Supper Club
The Mosquito Supper Club cookbook reminds us that behind every great meal lies a great story. Dive deep into author Melissa M. Martin's Cajun recipes from a disappearing bayou. Paired with beautiful imagery, the recipes are staples from her own table, like Louisiana Lump Crab Cakes, Oyster Bisque, and Ponchatoula Strawberry Pie.
Joy the Baker Cookbooks
Self-taught turned professional baker, Joy has created a name for herself via Instagram, showcasing her mouthwatering creations from her New Orleans home (also known as the Bakehouse). Now with three cookbooks, you can learn how to create the best homemade desserts, sweet and savory brunch options, tasty treats and delicious cocktails with little more than a recipe and a few ingredients. It's time to get baking!
Creole Feasts
First published in 1978, Creole Feasts is a comprehensive collection of recipes from the kitchens of some of New Orleans’ most famous restaurants. Learn tips and tricks from Dooky Chase’s, Commander’s Palace, Broussard’s and more all in one cookbook. Red beans and rice, gumbo and Creole bread pudding are just a few of the delicious recipes you’ll find in the collection in addition to signature dishes.
Order from these local bookstores
Browse online, then place an order. Consider purchasing a gift card and taking advantage of pre-orders while you’re at it.
Garden District Book Shop
Garden District Book Shop’s online catalog includes many of these cookbooks, plus the newest releases and top-selling titles of the literary world.
Community Book Center
Specializing in African and African American books, Community Book Center is a great place to shop for a variety of titles.
Octavia Books
Another great local bookshop, Octavia Books has a variety of books specializing in New Orleans food, culture, Mardi Gras, architecture, children’s titles, and fiction.
Tubby & Coo’s
Located in Mid-City, Tubby & Coo’s has a great selection of niche books specializing in children’s books, fantasy, and science fiction. They support self-published and small press publishers, furthering their mission as a community bookstore.
Blue Cypress Books
Blue Cypress is an independent book shop specializing in the buying, selling, and trading of titles across all genres. Their vast selection of books includes Contemporary fiction, New Orleans and Louisiana fiction and non-fiction, children’s books, and cookbooks.
Virtual Cooking Classes
Not sure where to start? Tune into this virtual cooking class.
Southern Food & Beverage Museum
Get the kids cooking with virtual cooking classes courtesy of SoFAB. Head to their YouTube page for free demonstrations, where kids will learn how to make macaroni & cheese, Lucky Charm bars, brownies, and more.
New Orleans School of Cooking
Also offering free cooking demonstrations through YouTube, New Orleans School of Cooking will teach you how to cook, New Orleans-style. Learn basics of how to devil an egg, or dive into the more complex and learn how to make an andouille sausage king cake.
