This spring, we’re gathering some of our favorite new food books, from snack-forward entertaining and buttery indulgences to plant-forward island flavors and global cheese adventures. Recipes, stories, and stunning photography make these titles as fun to flip through as they are to cook from—perfect for your kitchen or coffee table.
- I’ll Bring the Apps by Marissa Mullen (Clarkson Potter, 2026, $30)
In her third cookbook, Marissa Mullen—founder of the cheese plate–obsessed brand That Cheese Plate—expands her signature board-building approach into a full philosophy of “snacky” entertaining. I’ll Bring the Apps features 75 recipes for bites, bowls, boards, and beverages designed for casual, mix-and-match gatherings, from jammy onion toasts to whipped brie and playful platters. Organized around Mullen’s “APPS” hosting method—Ambiance, Presentation, Pairing, and Space—the book blends recipes with styling tips and pairing ideas, encouraging hosts to skip the formal meal and build a vibrant spread of shareable dishes instead. Available now.
- Cheese Trekking by Trevor Warmedahl (Chelsea Green Publishing, 2026, $29.95)
Part travelogue, part meditation on fermentation, Cheese Trekking follows cheesemaker and self-described “Milk Trekker” Trevor Warmedahl as he journeys through pastoral regions around the world to document traditional dairy practices. From alpine pastures to remote farmsteads, Warmedahl explores how microbes, landscape, and culture shape the cheeses we eat. The book traces his encounters with small-scale producers and endangered foodways while reflecting on the relationship between terroir, fermentation, and sustainable agriculture. Curious to learn more? Read our recent Q&A with Warmedahl, where he shares the travels and ideas that shaped the book. Available now.
3. The Butter Book by Anna Stockwell (Hardcover, 2026, $29.95)
The Butter Book is a delightful celebration of butter, blending history, how-tos, and ten irresistible recipes—from Butter-Basted Scallops to Cultured Butter Oat Shortbread. Anna Stockwell walks readers through making, whipping, clarifying, and flavoring butter, plus creating compound butters and butter boards. Cleverly designed to look like a stick of butter, the book is filled with beautiful, full-color photographs, making it a stunning coffee table or kitchen island piece for home cooks, gourmands, and anyone who believes everything is better with butter. Available March 17.
4. Aloha Veggies: Veg-Forward Recipes Celebrating the Flavors of Hawai‘i by Alana Kysar (Ten Speed Press, 2026, $35)
In Aloha Veggies: Veg-Forward Recipes Celebrating the Flavors of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i-born author Alana Kysar explores the islands’ rich culinary traditions through a fresh, plant-forward lens. Inspired by Maui’s farmers’ markets and local produce, the book reimagines classic dishes—from fried rice to loco moco—by placing vegetables at the center. With more than 100 vibrant recipes and stunning photography, Kysar offers an inviting look at contemporary home cooking rooted in Hawai‘i’s multicultural foodways. Available April 28.
5. Ohana Style by Sheldon Simeon (Clarkson Potter, 2026, $35)
Chef and two-time Top Chef fan favorite Sheldon Simeon returns with Ohana Style, a celebration of Hawai‘i’s layered culinary traditions and the joy of cooking for family and community. With over 100 approachable, flavor-packed recipes—from Shoyu Hot Dogs to Mango Sticky Rice Waffles—Simeon blends nostalgia, innovation, and “small kine homemade” spirit, offering a heartfelt guide to everyday cooking and gatherings big or small. The book also reflects on legacy, resilience, and the importance of passing food traditions forward, making it a love letter to Hawai‘i and its people. Available March 31.
Josie Krogh
Josie Krogh is culture's Digital Strategy Lead. She earned her master's degree in Agricultural and Applied Economics from The University of Georgia. Josie developed a love of food while working at farmstands in the D.C. area as a young adult, and discovered her love of cheese while living and working on a dairy farm on Martha's Vineyard. Josie currently lives in Catskill, NY.
