What people love the most about fiction is that it provides a new universe where fans can lose themselves. Franchises like Harry Potter offer a new reality that comforts the audience. This reality is often as complex as real life. Since fans want to be closer to that universe, they try to imitate its culture as much as they can. Some even emulate its culinary offerings.
For fans who want to have a more realistic experience, they could check out some fandom-based cookbooks. From Gilmore Girls to Game of Thrones, these books offer recipes inspired by the fans' favorite series, movies, and video games, as well as extra material that will delight their readers.
10 Gilmore Girls: The Official Cookbook Is As Wholesome As The Series
Gilmore Girls: The Official Cookbook, by Elena Craig and Kristen Mulrooney, features meal recipes directly from the most beloved locations in Stars Hollow, such as the Dragonfly Inn, Luke's Diner, and even the Gilmore household. Additionally, it includes tips from the characters, such as etiquette tips from Emily or cooking hacks from Sookie.
Food is a very important aspect of Gilmore Girls as a comfort show. Food locations and meals are tokens of Rory and Lorelai's relationship, so it makes sense that fans would want to emulate them. Gilmore Girls: The Official Cookbook is the perfect gift for a Gilmore Girls fan.
9 The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook Is All About New York In The 1960s
Created by Judy Gelman and Peter Zheutlin, The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook: Inside The Kitchens, Bars, and Restaurants of Mad Men, takes its reader on a culinary journey through New York in the '60s. It includes meal and drinks recipes from the decade, and always gives them cultural context and connects them to Mad Men.
In addition to recipes, The Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook features tips to throw a '60s-themed party, as well as a guide to emblematic locations in New York City. It's a must-have for those who love the decade, even beyond Mad Men and other similar shows.
8 Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Official Cookbook: Recipes From The Four Nations Is Easy To Follow
In November 2021, Jenny Dorsey created Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Official Cookbook: Recipes from the Four Nations, a cookbook of recipes inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender's lore. This book features many interesting meals divided into four groups according to the Four Nations: spicy dishes from the Fire Nation, vegetarian plates from the Air Nomads, seafood from both Poles, and royal cuisine from the Earth Kingdom.
Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Official Cookbook is written from Aang's perspective so it has very friendly language as well as very fun moments. After all, a good sense of humor is one of Aang's best traits. The book offers many delicious recipes that the whole family can craft together.
7 Friends: The Official Cookbook Will Remind Fans Of Many Episodes Of The Show
Throughout 10 seasons, Friends managed to create many iconic moments, such as "Pivot!", "How you doin'?", and "Seven, seven, seven!" Friends: The Official Cookbook, by Amanda Yee, compiles recipes for the iconic meals that accompany those moments.
From Monica's Friendsgiving dishes to Phoebe's grandmother's cookies, hardcore Friends fans will recognize every recipe. With this book, Yee helps Friends lovers to feel closer to their favorite characters by teaching them how to cook like Monica, Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Phoebe, and Joey.
6 The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook: From Cauldron Cakes To Knickerbocker Glory Connects The Books And Films
The Harry Potter universe is full of magical dishes that fans would love to taste in real life. This is possible with The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook: From Cauldron Cakes To Knickerbocker Glory. This recipe book, written by Dinah Bucholz, includes more than 150 recipes inspired by the Wizarding World's dishes.
In addition to giving context for every recipe, the book also includes a small preamble that ties the meal to the Potterverse. For instance, according to this book, Treacle Pudding happens to be Harry's favorite since Mrs. Weasley prepared it for him before his second year at Hogwarts.
5 The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes For Joke Burgers Was Written By The Show's Creator
One of Bob's Burgers many recurrent gags is the burger of the day. This is a specialty burger with a punny name, usually referencing its ingredients. The Bob's Burgers Burger Book: Real Recipes For Joke Burgers includes almost 100 different burgers inspired by these jokes.
Created by Loren Bouchard, who also created Bob's Burgers, these burgers have been carefully crafted to ensure they're edible. Thanks to this cookbook, fans can now taste the "Bleu is the Warmest Cheese Burger," the "I Know Why the Cajun Burger Sings Burger," or even the "Don't You Four Cheddar 'Bout Me Burger."
4 The Wizard's Cookbook: Magical Recipes Inspired by Harry Potter, Merlin, The Wizard of Oz, and More Is Perfect For Fantasy Fans
The Wizard's Cookbook: Magical Recipes Inspired by Harry Potter, Merlin, The Wizard of Oz, and More, by Aurélia Beaupommier, is a fantastical cookbook that includes dozens of recipes for drinks and meals based on fantasy classics. This includes The Legend of Zelda, Lord of the Rings, and World of Warcraft.
While this book doesn't focus on a specific fandom, it's an excellent option for food lovers who can't decide between different magical franchises. Beaupommier's enchanting writing combined with the book's beautiful art makes this cookbook an immersive experience.
3 Seinfeld: The Official Cookbook Will Have Readers Laughing
The Seinfeld characters are always eating something. In fact, some of Seinfeld's most memorable moments include food, like the soup Nazi, the big salad, and the black and white cookie. Seinfeld: The Official Cookbook, by Julie Tremaine and Brendan Kirby, offers the readers over 60 different recipes from the show.
In addition to the dishes, Seinfeld: The Official Cookbook includes a hilarious Venn diagram about the main characters' social life. Besides, every recipe features a small introduction that will be full of Seinfeld references. Only true fans will get them immediately.
2 A Feast Of Ice And Fire: The Official Game Of Thrones Companion Cookbook Was Approved By George R. R. Martin
Chefs and Game of Thrones fans, Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Sarian Lehrer, created A Feast of Ice and Fire: The Official Game of Thrones Companion Cookbook in 2012. This book, endorsed by George R. R. Martin himself, features dozens of recipes that will bring Westeros to life in anyone's kitchen.
Although the dishes have been refined for modern cooking, the book also includes the original medieval techniques for meals such as Cream Swans, Honeyed Chicken, and Tyroshi Honeyfingers. Fictional ingredients are adapted, like dragon eggs into chicken eggs. However, it feels a lot like living in this fantasy world.
1 The Geeky Chef Cookbook: Real-Life Recipes For Your Favorite Fantasy Foods Is Perfect For Foodies
Any fans who don't belong to one fandom should check out The Geeky Chef Cookbook: Real-Life Recipes For Your Favorite Fantasy Foods, by Cassandra Reeder. This cookbook includes dozens of recipes inspired by everyone's favorite universes.
From Pulp Fiction to Star Trek, the book includes something for everyone and has a proper explanation for the recipe. Together with The Geeky Chef Strikes Back and The Geeky Chef Drinks, The Geeky Chef Cookbook is a must-have for any cooking lovers who spend the rest of their day video-gaming, binge-watching, or comic-reading.