Two years of intense fervour pressed into 224 pages – The Bibby’s Kitchen Cookbook, inked and bound. It feels weighty. Running my hands over the smooth charcoal cover, I linger, reflecting on the journey of crafting words and fashioning food, a creative narrative that tells of my unassailable love story with food. The pages, unblemished and crisp, smell of optimism. At last, my restrained excitement unfurls. I cannot wait to see the recipes make their way into homes, filling the hearts and bellies of all who gather around the table for the customary practice of sharing plates. It’s with deep gratitude that I thank each and everyone who has come alongside, encouraged and supported me over the past 5 years. And for welcoming me into your homes by reading the blog and making my food. I’m forever grateful. Thank you also to Human & Rousseau for seeing the potential of a Cookbook in Bibby’s Kitchen and trusting me to give voice to my food stories.
What can you expect
The recipes emphasize a cook from scratch philosophy, guided by the intuitive prompting of seasonality, solid flavourings and visual appeal. The food is a modern interpretation of how to cook using bold ingredients like za’tar, harissa, chermoula and ancient grains. Recipes include Shawarma Chicken and Spelt pilaf with Zhoug yoghurt, Harrisa lentil Shakshuka with foaming sesame butter, Curly Kale soup with freekeh and Parmesan, Cardamom crème anglaise with hibiscus roasted guavas and more. From vegan to vegetarian, soulful soups, slow food and simpler suppers to pantry staples that make every day meals easy and unintimidating. The popular Cake Friday and Dessert chapters feature swoon-worthy bakes and posh puddings to impress. The book aims at a balanced way to cook and eat, rather than exclusions and restrictive classifications. It’s unapologetically colourful and filled with exuberantly delicious food.
The Essence of Good Food articulates the reason why we eat. It’s about fashioning food and flavours, but mostly it is about people. Together, they create a kind of magic. My hope is that by trying something new, an appetite for the unfamiliar will flourish.
The book is now available at all good book stores in South Africa.
List of Stockist:
Exclusive Books
Uppercase Books Uppercase books ship internationally (Europe, USA, Australia and New Zealand)
@home homeware
The Beautiful Life Store
Loot.co.za
Takealot.com
Do keep an eye on the cooking classes page. As time permits, I’ll be cooking from the book, showcasing the versatility of the recipes along with a skills demonstration on making the perfect Baklava Star Bread for the festive season.
32 Comments. Leave new
Jen Bradford
3 October 2019 8:42 am
Huge delightful, stunning, magical congratulations on 2 years of dedicated hard work!! Where can we find a copy?
Tracy Pesic
3 October 2019 9:01 am
Amazing Di, I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy. I remember sitting at your classes fondly. I love your blog! Wishing you all the best with your book, you are a master at this and deserve all the good that comes with it!!!
Antoinette Freeman
3 October 2019 9:21 am
I have goosebumps again and am just so immensely proud of you Di. Wishing you all the success you so deserve for putting your heart and soul into your cookbook. I can’t wait for my copy. Antoinette xx
Lovonne
3 October 2019 9:51 am
Hi where is your cook book available ?
Thank you lovonneZirkie
3 October 2019 1:21 pm
Congratulations, Di. I am looking forward to purchase a copy of your book! I think I will also purchase some for Christmas gifts! Xx
Debbie Kilian
3 October 2019 1:24 pm
I would like to order recipe book online – can’t see a link to do this
Lesley
3 October 2019 1:36 pm
It looks wonderful. Well done and I look forward to purchasing your book.
Anonymous
3 October 2019 1:43 pm
Di!!!! It’s finaly been born! Your third child, your labour of love, the long-awaited one!
Congrats. I’m looking forward to paging through my own copy ASAP!Lesley Scott
3 October 2019 2:07 pm
It’s beautiful. Well done Di. I can’t wait to read it.
Marissa
3 October 2019 2:09 pm
Amazing achievement can’t wait to read your recipes. Well done to everyone involved, Marissa
Renée
3 October 2019 3:11 pm
Congratulations Di. 🥂💖
Dianne Bibby
3 October 2019 5:30 pm
Thank you! Hope you’ll be able to get your hands on a copy, all the way over in Canada.
Dianne Bibby
3 October 2019 5:31 pm
You’re right, Marissa. It takes a team to put it together. Hope you’re going to find plenty of delicious reasons to use it often!
Thank you Les. You know my heart. It’s in there.
Dianne Bibby
3 October 2019 5:35 pm
It’s the longest labour of all my children! May it the cause of many happy and fulfilling hours in the kitchen.
Dianne Bibby
3 October 2019 5:37 pm
Thank you. It’s filled with feel-good food and some earth-shattering indulgences, too.
Dianne Bibby
3 October 2019 5:37 pm
Hello Debbie. I will be adding all the affiliate links in soon. It will be available on pre-order too.
Dianne Bibby
3 October 2019 5:40 pm
I can’t wait to hear what you think, Zirkie. I’m filling stockings with this one. There are some wonderful festive recipes in the book that are perfect for relaxed entertaining, holiday baking and a groaning Christmas table. Enjoy!
Dianne Bibby
3 October 2019 5:42 pm
Hi Lovonne. In South African, it’s available from Exclusive Books and all good book stores. If you’d like to purchase it on line, you can try Loot.co.za or Takealot.
Dianne Bibby
3 October 2019 5:47 pm
I’m so completely grateful to be able to share my great passion. I hope the book has a long and happy life in your kitchen. Much love D
Dianne Bibby
3 October 2019 5:49 pm
Tracy, I’ve missed you! So happy to hear you visit the blog. Thank you. Food is nothing without people. That is my reward.
Hope you love the food!Dianne Bibby
3 October 2019 5:51 pm
Wow! Thank you Jen. I’m blown away by all the encouragement and kindness. The book will be on-shelf within the next 2 weeks – Exclusive, PNA, Bargain Books, Estoril, Loot and Takealot.
Gah
7 October 2019 10:14 pm
Hi there Di … I don’t see the fiery Wors , scorthed Millie and Pap recipe I’ve been so long awaiting 🤨, maybe paged past it i think, I did however see a carrot and beer cake I’m really looking forward to trying, doubt I’ll do it justice the first time round so figured it’ll be a few rounds until I nail it !
Well done babe, very proud of you , your book is stunning !!
Dianne Bibby
11 October 2019 9:44 pm
Thank you Graham! Maybe the fiery story will be in book two?
mum
13 October 2019 7:11 pm
I could not have given the food-lovers world a greater gift than a failproof book on healthy, taste inspiring food!Thank you for sharing your passion and talent with all of us .So proud of you.
Dianne Bibby
13 October 2019 9:09 pm
Thank you Mama!! My greatest joy and reward is still being able to share life’s triumphs and challenges with the one who knows.
Maria
13 March 2020 3:57 pm
Why is the book not available at Amazon? I would like to have your beautiful work, but I cannot get in Belgium.
Dianne Bibby
15 March 2020 4:35 pm
Hello Maria. Unfortunately it’s not available on Amazon at the moment. I do hope that soon it will be. It is available at Uppercase Books, though. Here is the link. I hope you come right. Thank you for you getting in touch and supporting my work. I’d love you to have a copy.
https://uppercasebooks.co.za/search?q=bibby%27s+KitchenKathy Blaine
23 June 2020 8:12 am
Have paid for 2 books. Could not do it via your link. Please advise when I will receive the books.
Dianne Bibby
24 June 2020 5:13 am
Hi Kathy. All sorted, thank you. The books are on their way.
Yolande Barradas
19 August 2022 2:44 pm
I made many of your amazing recipies from your site and they all were SUPERB!!
Yesterday I bought your E-book and it looks stunning.
Thank you so much Di 🥰🥰🥰Dianne Bibby
20 September 2022 10:24 pm
Hi Yolande. You have made my day!! Thank you. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than knowing the recipes are doing their job and delivering on expectations. Happy cooking!
Leave a Reply
Buy Bibby’s More Good Food now
Hello, I’m Di
Welcome to my kitchen, a creative gathering place where meals are shared with family and friends, celebrating life and nurturing our connectivity.
Read more
Shop my cookbooks here
Purchase my eBook “Beautiful Home Food – Recipes From Bibby’s Kitchen” here.
