The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes for Everyday Luxury and Elevated Entertaining

The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes has quickly become one of my favorite go-to cookbooks, especially if you’re someone who enjoys fresh, seasonal food and wants inspiration that feels both delicious and manageable. From the design to the content, this book feels like it was created by people who genuinely love good food and know how to make it approachable for everyday cooking. One of the first things I noticed is how well organized it is. The recipes are thoughtfully divided by seasons, which makes planning meals feel intuitive and relevant to what’s fresh at the market. I love that—so many cookbooks try to be everything at once, but this one really leans into seasonal eating. It encourages you to think about ingredients differently throughout the year, which has definitely expanded the way I plan menus. The individual recipes themselves are clear and easy to follow. Ingredients are laid out in a logical order, and the steps are written in a way that feels conversational yet precise. I appreciate that the instructions don’t assume too much prior skill, but they also don’t talk down to you. The result? Even the more “elevated” or complex meals feel achievable in a home kitchen. What really sets this cookbook apart, though, is the variety. You get everything from quick weekday meals to beautiful weekend projects, and each one feels thoughtfully curated. There’s a good balance of vegetarian dishes, hearty mains, creative sides, and thoughtful desserts—so you’re not flipping through a hundred pages just to find something that fits your mood or ingredients on hand. The photography and layout are also a big plus. The images are bright and inviting without being overly styled or intimidating. They make you want to try each recipe, which is a testament to how well the book knows its audience. Notes from the authors are sprinkled throughout, adding a personal touch that makes the whole reading and cooking experience feel friendly and relatable. Overall, The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook: Seasonal Recipes is exactly what I look for in a modern cookbook: thoughtful, seasonally inspired dishes that elevate everyday cooking without making it complicated. If you enjoy eating with the seasons or just want fresh ideas that are truly worth revisiting again and again, this is a wonderful addition to your kitchen shelf.

I grabbed The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook thinking it’d be another standard cookbook — and it completely exceeded my expectations! The recipes are seasonal, creative, and elevate everyday meals into something truly special. Using it is a joy. The instructions are clear and approachable, the photography is stunning, and the ideas for entertaining are practical yet luxurious. I was a little unsure if the dishes would be manageable for busy weeknights, but many of them are surprisingly simple while still feeling gourmet. Perfect for home cooks who love seasonal ingredients, hosting dinner parties, or anyone looking to elevate their culinary game. If you want a cookbook that’s beautiful, inspiring, and full of flavor, this is a total win!

I’m blown away by this cookbook. I live on the east coast and am a huge seafood fan. There are so many seafood recipes in here that are practical for an average person to make. Awesome use of common summer garden vegetables as well. Everything looks so fresh. I get bogged down in some cookbooks that have a ton of super heavy recipes that require cups of heavy cream. These recipes are the perfect balance. Also, unrelated to the recipes but the illustrations and photographs are STUNNING. Maybe I love a little whimsy in life… but I love flipping through these pages. If you like coastal recipes then this is for you!

If you’re a wishbone fan this is a must! I’ve seen a few other reviews say you need to live on the coast to buy and enjoy this book because there are so many seafood recipes, that’s really not true. The book has one surf n’ turf section, but tons of great recipes, inspiration, and hosting tips! Plus it’s gorgeous.

I love this cookbook. At first glance I wasn’t sure if I would use many of the recipes as it’s a lot of seafood and some of the recipes seem a little tedious for someone who cooks for mostly young kids. But I read thru everything and have used it as a guide for the past few weeks and have been pleasantly surprised. The recipes are fresh and healthy but incorporate comfort food. It has bare bones basics as well as explanations of more difficult recipes. The art and aesthetics are beautiful. The photographs are beautiful. I do enjoy reading the book but of course as a TikTok follower, I was hoping there would be more backstories and mentions of TikTok. I don’t think it mentions TikTok once but that’s ok, that’s why it’s a professional cookbook I guess. Top recipes I’ve made: PLT Salad, Sungold Tomato Pasta, Crab Fried Rice, Sesame Chili Crunch, Shake ‘N Bake Chicken with hot honey tomatoes

I purchased this cookbook several months ago . I do not think it’s fair to write a review until the cookbook is actually cooked from, finally got around to making a few of the recipes . I made the olive oil cake with peaches and cream and also the “shake and bake “ chicken with hot honey marinated tomatoes. Both of these recipes were well written, easy to follow and came out really great. I will make these recipes again and happy to serve them (again) to company. This is an excellent cookbook and I recommend highly! Also making a recipe , any recipe for the first time for company can be risky and a bit nerve racking. No need these recipes have apparently been very well tested and turn out beautifully ! I hope to see more cookbooks in the future from Ms. Hayden, I am officially a big fan

First, this book is extremely lovely from the beautiful retro cover lining, to the photography to the final stars, the recipes. I immediately decided to put it to the test by planning my weekend menus from the book. Friday it’s the “Tomato Baked Cod” (page 180) served over a bed of Balsamic rice, alongside “The Green Salad” (page 65) with some simple dessert. Saturday, the evening festivities start with “Dirty Martinis with Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives (page 223), my personal favorite and “Caesar Crudités” (page 34S). Followed with steaks from the grill, served with “Grilled summer vegetables” (page 111); making substitutions with the vegetables per their anvai and fresh baked crusty rolls. It’s my dear friend Kathryn’s birthday and I’m going to try the “Olive Oil Cake with Peaches and Cream” (page 215); if I can’t find great peaches, I’ll substitute black raspberries. There will be strong coffee and some decaf for the faint of heart! With an assortment of liquors. The patio and table will be covered with an abundance of sun flowers, hydrangeas and gardenias plus candles everywhere.. I am so looking forward to celebrate with these dear friends and know these new recipes will be a welcome addition to my collection. Upon finishing her cookbook, Ms. Hayden has compiled curated menus for several holidays and seasons and I look forward to using them as they take the stress out of menu planning

Absolutely love this cookbook so far—every recipe I’ve tried has been a hit! You can tell that each dish was tested and developed with real care and intention. What I especially appreciate is how easy it is to adapt the recipes to fit your preferences or dietary needs. As a pescatarian, I’ve swapped tempeh in for chicken in a few recipes (like the blueberry salad—to die for!), and the flavors still shine through beautifully. I even used the leftover dressing from that salad to make a blueberry-glazed salmon the next night, and it was just as incredible. I also added rice to the pan-fried fish and citrus salad, and it made for a perfect meal. The flexibility and inspiration in this book make me excited to keep cooking. Every recipe feels like a winner, and I can’t wait to post more photos as I go. So proud of Meredith and happy to support her journey—this cookbook is a true gem!