The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook
By: ConcernedApe and Ryan Novak
Release Date: May 14, 2024
Publisher: Random House Worlds
Rating:

Cookbooks are more than just their recipes, and The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook certainly has a whole lot of packed into a trim 192-page package. This cookbook is an official cookbook based on the beloved farming-sim game Stardew Valley and is co-authored by Ryan Novak and the video game’s creator ConcernedApe.

The design of the cookbook overall is very eye-catching. Plenty of fun nods to the game are included. Tiny blurbs from characters can be found for each dish as well as who the recipe is from in-game, fun inclusions for Stardew Valley’s fans. While not pixelated like the cookbook’s video game inspiration, it does portray a scene from said game. Pastel pallets adorn the pages and front cover, embodying the spirit of the video game.

Recipes are divided not into any of the typical categories such as Appetizers, Deserts, Side Dishes, etc. but instead are broken into seasons—Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. This matches the seasons (and the introduction of the in-game versions of the recipes) within Stardew Valley. Fans of the game will most likely find this extremely intuitive, and while certainly not usual, anyone vaguely familiar with seasonal foods will have little trouble navigating the cookbook.

The recipes themselves are written out clearly. Any additions, such as sauces or salsas which may not have been in the game, are included and easy to find. Additionally, the recipes are not difficult to make and plenty easy for beginners who may not be familiar with all the formal verbiage of cooking or baking. The majority of recipes also have rather easy-to-find ingredients. However, certain ingredients may be easier to find during the season the recipe is associated with.

Overall, The Official Stardew Valley Cookbook is a fantastic tabletop book for fans looking to display merch as well as a great cookbook for those looking to replicate this beloved video game’s recipes. Anyone wanting to both to keep the book as a collectible and try out the recipes may want to invest in a cheap recipe book stand with a clear page protector (a true lifesaver for me!).