Book clubs already involve getting together with friends, eating, and drinking, so why not make it the focus? As a member of a cookbook club, you'll become a better cook, actually put your collection of cookbooks to good use — raise your hand if you have at least a few on your shelf that you've yet to cook from — and (most importantly) have fun.
Like with a book club, members meet to discuss a specific book, in this case a cookbook, and enjoy each other's company over libations and nibbles. Unlike with a book club, where the host is often in charge of providing much of the food and drink, meetings are a potluck meal; the dishes come from the cookbook in question. Members don't have to be serious, experienced cooks; enthusiasm for cooking is more important, so don't be afraid to extend invitations to both that co-worker who's always regaling officemates with the last killer meal they cooked and also your best friend who is just beginning to feel comfortable in the kitchen.
A buzzy cookbook of the moment:
A classic:
An international cookbook:
A regional American cookbook:
A vegetarian or special diet cookbook:
A blogger cookbook:
A restaurant cookbook: