The Best Cookbooks of 2017
The cookbook world is bustling; two important Dutch cookbook awards were presented this week, and these are the books you should run to the store for right now.
Cookbook of the Year Awards
This year, Cookbook of the Year (organised by Fusina Verloop and Henk-Jan Kakebeen) celebrated its eleventh anniversary, which deserves an award in itself. But as every year, it was the books that took home the prizes. The professional jury named The Green Kitchen at Home by Swedish duo David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl the Cookbook of the Year 2017.
The professional jury about the book: ‘It is impressive that David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl have managed to create a great cookbook both for people who may still find vegetarian food a little daunting and for those who have been eating meat- and fish-free for years and could use some new inspiration in this, their fourth book. No wonder these trendsetters have so many followers worldwide. They have taken vegetarian cuisine to a higher level.’
People’s Choice Award
The public could also cast their vote, and 30% of those votes went to Smokey Goodness 2: het next level BBQ boek by Jord Althuizen, earning it the 2017 Gouden Garde People’s Choice Award. BBQ world champion Althuizen had already won an award for the first edition of his barbecue book. Two times in a row, something that has never happened before.
Sustainability
Sustainability also received attention this year. The international youth movement Slow Food Youth Network selected the winner of the Most Sustainable Cookbook of 2017 award. Of the twelve entries, Empty the Fridge by Jennifer Schleber came out on top. “This book is sound and breathes sustainability. The concept offers a method for everyone, with hacks (ways to do something more cleverly in less time), regardless of what you have at home. Original—this is how you learn to cook and save money.”
The Golden Cookbook
This year, the Het Gouden Kookboek award was presented for the first time. The professional jury consisted of Janny van der Heijde, Jonah Freud, Makkie Mulder, Daan van der Valk and Ronard Giphart. And the winner is… Souq by Nadia Zerouali and Merijn Tol. The two women have been making books and television programmes for years in which they introduce audiences to Middle Eastern cuisine, and this book full of mezze is no different.
‘A book that is more than a collection of recipes. A book that broadens your perspective, not only through the surprising dishes, ingredients or personally written backgrounds, but above all by showing the importance of eating together, sharing and understanding one another. Unity through diversity. Cooking together, eating together, tables laden with mezze.’ According to the jury.
