Our mission is to connect customers to cookbooks by Black authors that inspire creativity and preserve food traditions.

It exists to support and amplify the works of underrepresented voices in the food and publishing industries. This independent bookstore also pays homage to the mothers, grandmothers, and ancestors who have created edible, magical moments in the kitchen.

Browse and shop our Virginia Beach store or shop our online store. Thank you for visiting!

Owner Rekaya Gibson, also known as The Food Temptress, was inspired to open a cookbook store after reviewing more than 50 cookbooks for Cuisine Noir (CN) magazine whose mission is to connect the African diaspora through food, wine and travel. You will find most of those books in the cookbook store. Gibson also has evaluated cookbooks for other publications. They, too, appear in the store.

History

The Food Temptress Cookbook Store launched its online culinary store in November 2021. It opened a physical location in June 2023 in Virginia Beach.

The Food Temptress Name

The 'Food Temptress' name is based on Gibson's novel "The Food Temptress" where her character, Ambrosia, uses food to seduce men and it converts them into the perfect mates. In 2009, she created "The Food Temptress" blog to stay connected with readers. On January 1, 2014, it became a food blog exclusively. Gibson developed recipes, tested existing recipes and reviewed food-related products. Also, she maintained a yearly calendar to celebrate food holidays. In 2017, Gibson took a hiatus from blogging to concentrate on her Food Temptress brand by exploring local restaurants, attending food/drink events and expanding her freelance writing career.

The Logo

The fleur-de-lis symbolizes Gibson's admiration for New Orleans, the city where she fell in love with food.