Bon Appétit Editors Celebrate Spring with Cookbook Potluck

The Bon Appétit Test Kitchen recently hosted a potluck to celebrate the release of new spring cookbooks, resulting in a salad-focused feast and a testament to the joy of cooking and sharing food. The event, organized by Emma Laperruque, Director of Cooking at Bon Appétit and Epicurious, brought together staff members to showcase recipes from the featured cookbooks.

A Salad-Centric Spread

The potluck featured a diverse array of salads, highlighting the versatility and freshness of spring cuisine. Dishes included a spicy harissa Caesar with crisp chickpeas from Madaq, a burrata, beets, and citrus salad from La Copine, a scallion coconut chicken salad from Ohana Style, and a visually striking coconut cabbage slaw from Sunshine, Lemons and Sea Salt. Deputy food editor Hana Asbrink’s presentation of the slaw was particularly noteworthy, arranged to resemble a piece of art worthy of display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Featured Cookbooks and Editors

Emma Laperruque leads cooking coverage across Bon Appétit and Epicurious, focusing on content for home cooks. Her recent projects include the annual Thanksgiving coverage, which begins planning in the summer, and the launch of The Bon Appétit 56 in 2023. She is also the author of Big Little Recipes, published in 2021.

Nina Moskowitz, who was also present at the potluck, was noted for bringing a salad on the subway. She recently created lacy-edged blueberry and buttermilk pancakes, while Laperruque prepped a batch of gilda salsa and served mushroom pasta, as featured on the Bon Appétit Instagram page.

Beyond the Salads

Senior commerce editor Noah Kaufman contributed homemade pizza dough, transported from New Jersey, demonstrating the dedication of the team. The potluck included 15 dishes showcasing a range of flavors and culinary skills.

Spring Cookbook Highlights

The spring 2026 cookbook season features a variety of titles, including baking-focused books like More Than Sweet, Cake From Lucie, and Morning Baker. The 50th anniversary edition of The Taste of Country Cooking, a tribute to Edna Lewis, is also among the standout releases. Hello, Home Cooking by Ham El-Waylly has been praised for its personal and joyful approach to cooking, with recipes like Cinnamon Pita Crunch receiving high marks.

As Emma Laperruque noted, the potluck was “Not a bad Monday, if you ask me!”