Trying new restaurants is one of my favorite pastimes—a guilty pleasure, as someone who dines out less often might call it. When I have dinner plans, I always peek at the menu beforehand, picking a cocktail that speaks to me and a dessert that sounds too good to skip. After a delicious bite, my first thought is always, “Damn, I wish I could make something like this at home.” I cook for myself, but when I’m rotating through the same meals every week, I start to wonder what it’s like being friends with Gordon Ramsay. No cooking class will turn you into a Michelin-starred chef overnight, but with time and a good cookbook, you can master bold flavors and expert techniques.

Just like there are countless restaurants, there are countless cookbooks, making it hard to narrow down the options. For beginners, it’s best to start simple and level up as you go. A book full of flambe chapters won’t do much good if you haven’t learned to sauté. Don’t be ashamed of whipping up a few inedible disasters; with practice, you’ll get better. Before long, you’ll be hosting impressive dinner parties, with guests eagerly awaiting your next invite. Ready to take on your kitchen? Here are five cookbooks that will teach you the art of cooking well from home.

• “Cooking From the Spirit” by Tabitha Brown
• “Between Harlem and Heaven” by Alexander Smalls, Jj Johnson, and Veronica Chambers
• “The Quick Fix Kitchen” by Tia Mowry
• “My America” by Kwame Onwuachi and Joshua David Stein
• “The Full Plate” by Ayesha Curry

Our editors love finding you the best products and offers! If you purchase something by clicking on one of the affiliate links on our website, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.