Does Anyone Still Cook from Cookbooks — or Are They Just Christmas Gifts?

It was a busy December afternoon, and the shopping centre was packed — nothing unusual in the weeks leading up to Christmas. But what caught my attention was an unusually long queue stretching past several stores. Like most people, curiosity got the better of me, so I followed it.

I expected a major celebrity appearance, a giveaway, or perhaps a new phone launch. But no — the crowd was waiting to get a cookbook. Yes, a cookbook. The latest title, just released and personally signed by the author. Apparently, this year’s must-have Christmas gift.

I had to smile. Another cookbook! Just what every kitchen shelf needs — neatly stacked beside the previous three, still untouched and in mint condition.

Do not get me wrong. Cookbooks are beautiful. They are filled with glossy pages, stunning food photography, and recipes that call for ingredients most people cannot even pronounce. They add charm to any kitchen and offer the comforting illusion that something impressive might be cooked at any moment.

But here is the honest question — does anyone actually cook from them?

Or are they just seasonal trophies? You buy one, maybe glance through it on Boxing Day, and then place it behind the cereal boxes or leave it on display beside the fruit bowl. That is, until next Christmas, when a new cookbook arrives — promising fresh inspiration and more unpronounceable ingredients.

I have a theory. For many people, it is not about cooking at all. It is about the idea of cooking. The dream of spending a peaceful Sunday preparing roasted duck with cranberry glaze. The reality? Toast, tea, and scrolling through the usual takeaway options.

So if you receive a shiny new cookbook this Christmas, here is a simple challenge — open it. Not just the introduction or the photo spread. Try making at least one dish. Who knows? You might actually enjoy it. And if not, it will still look great sitting next to last year’s edition.