French Cooking 101: Top 10 Cookbooks to Get Started

1.Let’s Eat France! – François-Régis Gaudry 

Part encyclopedia, part graphic novel, Let’s Eat France! is the essential French coffee table book for every French food geek. As generous as a Parisian Sunday lunch, it’s a glorious celebration of everything edible — and a crash course in why France eats the way it does. 

Inside its oversized illustrated pages, French food writer and broadcaster François-Régis Gaudry and his team catalog more than 1,250 specialty foods, 375 iconic recipes, 350 topics plus hundreds of maps, charts, tricks, tips, and anecdotes — 2.5 kilos of basically everything you’ve ever wanted to know about French food culture. 

You’ll find instructions for French classics like pot-au-feu, pâté en croûte, blanquette de veau, choucroute, and the most comforting ratatouille. You’ll meet icons of French gastronomy — Brillat-Savarin, Bocuse — and explore a region-by-region index of cheeses, charcuterie, breads, and wines. Poster-sized guides spotlight oysters, wines, sauces, or the croissant timeline. The modern French food bible. 

📖 Let’s Eat France! 
François-Régis Gaudry 
(Artisan Books) 

2. Mastering the Art of French Cooking – Julia Child 

No list would be complete without this two-volume icon, first published in the 1960s and 70s to guide the American public through the wonders of French cuisine. American food writer Julia Child’s masterpiece remains the ultimate English-language gateway into classic French cooking — cheese soufflés, coq au vin, beef bourguignon… all demystified with her trademark warmth and precision. 

Such was its success that Julia became a national sensation, hosting her own TV show, The French Chef, and later inspiring Meryl Streep’s Oscar-nominated performance in Julie & Julia (2009). 

Mastering the Art of French Cooking isn’t just a cookbook; it’s a legendary companion for anyone learning French cooking technique. You’re not simply following instructions — you’re discovering why things work, developing instincts, and building lasting kitchen confidence. 

📖 Mastering the Art of French Cooking (Vol. I & II) 
Julia Child, Simone Beck, Louisette Bertholle 
(Penguin) 

3. French Classics – Matthew Ryle 

A fresh, modern voice on the UK culinary scene, Matthew Ryle is bringing French cuisine into the 21st century — approachable and full of flair. Having started his career at just 15 in Michelin-starred kitchens, Ryle captured the nation’s attention as runner-up on BBC’s MasterChef: The Professionals. He now gathers almost an audience of 2M on social media. 

The chef-founder behind Maison François and Café François in London continues to celebrate French tradition with a contemporary twist in his debut cookbook, French Classics. Packed with recipes and beautiful photographies, it became an instant Sunday Times bestseller, 

Expect French onion soup, Moules marinières, and dreamy French desserts like Profiteroles with chocolate sauce — all simplified without losing their soul. A book for the new generation of Francophiles. 

For a deeper dive, read our intervew with Matthew Ryle on Taste France. 

📖 French Classics: Easy And Elevated Dishes To Cook At Home 
Matthew Ryle 
(Bloomsbury Publishing) 

4. Amuse-Bouche: How to Eat Your Way Around France – Carolyn Boyd 

Published in 2023, Amuse-Bouche is more delicious-passport-to-France than classic-cookbook-material. British food writer Carolyn Boyd takes readers on a culinary journey across the country, exploring French regional specialties, iconic French ingredients, and the stories behind them.  

From the oysters of Brittany to the truffles of Périgord, every chapter immerses you in the sights, smells, and tastes of French gastronomy. Boyd’s approach combines travelogue, history, and recipes, making the book both educational and inspirational. It’s ideal for curious food lovers who want to understand the culture behind the cuisine.  

The kind of book you’ll return to again and again, whether for weekend cooking inspiration or armchair culinary adventures through France. 

For a deeper dive, read our interview with Carolyn Boyd on Taste France. 

📖 Amuse-Bouche: How to Eat Your Way Around France 
Carolyn Boyd 
(Profile Books) 

5. The New French Kitchen – Géraldine Leverd 

A long-time member of our Taste France family, Géraldine Leverd has been sharing her inspiring French recipes through La Cuisine De Géraldine since 2020 — and has since gathered a vibrant community of 700,000 French food lovers across social media. 

The French blogger, influencer and food photographer living in Germany offers a fresh, modern take on French cooking — light, colourful, and effortlessly elegant 

In her first cookbook The New French Kitchen, she brings together over 75 delicious recipes, many of them vegetarian and perfectly suited to everyday life. Think flaky vegetable quiches, bright warm goat’s cheese salads, silky soups, and dreamy desserts like apple tarte Tatin — all with her signature touch: simple ingredients and a dash of joie de vivre. The perfect addition to your weekly meal rota. 

📖 The New French Kitchen: Modern Takes on Favorite Classic Dishes,  
Géraldine Leverd 

(Quarto Publishing Group) 

6. Frontières – Alex Jackson 

French food doesn’t stop at the borders — and Frontières proves it. This beautifully written book celebrates the connections between France and its neighbours, tracing how people, places, and ingredients have shaped a shared, ever-evolving culinary language. 

Chef Alex Jackson takes readers on a journey through the borderlands of French cuisine — from the sun-drenched French Riviera to the mountain kitchens of Alsace and the rich stews of the Southwest. Each recipe tells a story of migration, exchange, and identity, showing how French cooking thrives on openness and curiosity. 

The book is filled with generous, comforting recipes — think bouillabaisse, cassoulet, pissaladière, or vegetable tagine — bridging cultures and reflecting the diversity of modern French tables. 

For a deeper dive, read our interview with Alex Jackson on Taste France. 

📖 Frontières: A Chef’s Celebration of French Cooking 

Alex Jackson  
(Harpers Collins) 

7. The New French Wine: Redefining the World’s Greatest Wine Culture – Jon Bonné 

As Le Figaro put it: “Could the greatest expert on French wines be … American?”. In The New French Wine, award-winning American wine writer Jon Bonné takes readers deep into the vineyards and cellars of a new generation of French winemakers — sustainable, rebellious, and yet profoundly rooted in terroir. 

Across two stunningly-designed volumes, Bonné explores how they are challenging tradition, reviving forgotten grapes, and embracing organic and biodynamic practices — while still honouring centuries of savoir-faire. The result is a dynamic culture of wine that reflects today’s France: thoughtful, diverse, and refreshingly modern. 

This coffee table book is a beautiful travelogue of people and places, from Burgundy to the Loire, Champagne to the Languedoc. Each page brims with stories, insights, and tasting notes that bring French wine to life. A must-read for seasoned French wine connoisseurs and curious newcomers alike. 

📖 The New French Wine: Redefining the World’s Greatest Wine Culture 
Jon Bonné 
(Ten Speed Press) 

8. A Cheesemonger’s Tour de France – Ned Palmer 

An irresistible journey for every French cheese lover. British expert Ned Palmer takes readers from mountain pastures to tiny village fromageries, introducing the people and traditions behind each wheel.  

Palmer’s storytelling blends French cheese history, travel, and tasting into one delicious narrative — exploring how geography, culture, and craftsmanship come together in each cheese. It’s a book that celebrates France’s dairy heritage through the people who keep Comté PDO or Camembert de Normandie PDO alive.  

Along the way, you’ll find tasting notes, pairing tips, and plenty of personality, making this an essential on your bookshelf.  

For a deeper dive, read our article on Taste France. 

📖 A Cheesemonger’s Tour de France 
Ned Palmer 
(Profile Books) 

9. French Charcuterie at Home – Nicolas & Gilles Vérot 

Which French charcuterie lover hasn’t dreamt of making their own rillettes, pâtés, terrines and saucissons at home? Now’s the time to learn from the best — the Vérot family, undisputed masters of French charcuterie. In French Charcuterie at Home, Gilles and Nicolas Vérot demystify the art of curing, seasoning, and assembling, guiding readers step by step through the techniques that define this timeless French craft. 

Maître Charcutier and world pâté en croûte champion Gilles Vérot runs Maison Vérot alongside his wife Catherine and son Nicolas, a Parisian institution spanning four generations. 

Blending tradition with innovation, the Vérots share their meticulous approach to sourcing, preparation, and presentation. Their recipes — from classic terrine de campagne to elegant pâté en croûte — are practical, and deeply rooted in French heritage. An invitation to slow down and create with care. 

For a deeper dive, read our interview with Nicolas Vérot on Taste France. 

📖 French Charcuterie at Home 
Gilles Vérot and Nicolas Vérot 
(Simon & Schuster) 

10. Patisserie: Master the Art of French Pastry – Mélanie Dupuis & Anne Cazor 

Last but definitely not least — the grand finale for every gourmand with a sweet tooth. Sugar, precision, and beauty unite in Patisserie. In this dazzling guide, pastry chef Mélanie Dupuis and molecular gastronomist Anne Cazor demystify the art (and science) of French desserts.  

From éclairs to millefeuille, tarts to entremets, this book takes you through every essential technique with step-by-step instructions and stunning visuals that make even the trickiest pastries feel achievable. 

Whether you’re perfecting your crème pâtissière or mastering macarons, this is your ultimate pastry bible. A must-have for any home baker ready to take over the world of French patisserie.  

📖 Patisserie: Master the Art of French Pastry 
Mélanie Dupuis, Anne Cazor 
(Hardie Grant Books)