Eat Lao by Sam Sempill

Sam Sempill is a Lao-born Australian textile artist and architect with a certain magical cooking skill developed through years spent in the kitchen with her grandmother. Like all good cookbooks, this collection of Lao-cuisine based recipes is more than a list of ingredients and instructions. It is a window into the past. Beautifully illustrated, you will find recipes for trout soup, custard pumpkin dessert and an enormous range of deliciously flavoured meals that, once seen, must be tasted – and can never be forgotten.

Meatsmith by Andrew McConnell & Troy Wheeler

What more could Andrew McConnell do for Melbourne? He has already transformed our restaurant and grocery-shopping landscape, but he is not finished yet. Teaming up with his work colleague Troy Wheeler, a world-class butcher, he now brings us Meatsmith, which features more than 80 brilliant, inspiring recipes, with his signature simplicity and elegance. Of course, some recipes will take time (beef Wellington is back, friends!), but others will only take minutes over a hot grill. Throughout, you’ll find the best advice.

Recipes for a Lifetime of Beautiful Cooking by Danielle Alvarez with Libby Travers

This is the perfect gift cookbook (for yourself) not only because it is beautiful and accessible, but also because it illustrates a versatile chef and communicator at the top of her game, who enjoys bringing together a crowd of friends and family to feast. Using her Cuban roots as a starting point, she travels across continents to bring us dishes from Asia, Europe, and Australia to give you your own trip around the world through her thoughtful recipes accompanied by images that will make your mouth water.

Kindred by Maria & Eva Konecsny

Sisters Maria and Eva Konecsny own those gorgeous Gewürzhaus spice stores dotted around Melbourne. In Kindred, they share their German cultural traditions and recipes for throughout the year, offering advice on how spices can change something everyday into a wonderful, aromatic dish. Kindred is as much about gatherings and traditions as it is about spices.

Rick Stein's Simple Suppers by Rick Stein

This cookbook is a portrait of the way Rick Stein lives. Alongside gorgeous pictures are the recipes that Stein cooks for himself, and for those he loves. There are meal plans for one person, two people and even a crowd. These recipes all have one thing in common though: they are simple, delicious meals that can enliven a conversation and be used for leftovers the next day.

The Best Things in Life are Cheese by Ellie and Sam Studd

Is there anything more delicious in the entire world than cheese? Cards on the table, I am a cheese fanatic. Ellie and Sam Studd grew up with cheese. Their father, international cheese specialist Will Studd, taught them everything about cheese. This book takes you through the world of cheese and shows you how to incorporate it into every meal. For people like me, this could be the best cookbook of all time.

Rumi by Joseph Abboud

Joseph Abboud of Melbourne institution Rumi has finally written a cookbook! And the people of the city’s north rejoice, as should the south, as we all get to taste his delicious and deceptively simple food at home. From fattoush to tabouleh, to the famous lamb shoulder, I know I am looking forward to impressing some guests with a wonderful feast this summer.