11 cookbooks by Black authors and chefs for fall

September lingers on the horizon. Children are back to school. People are spending more time at home. Let’s try some new recipes as we transition into fall. They will help save money and get us prepared for the holiday season.

Here are 11 cookbooks releasing in September through November to make this a reality. Happy cooking.

September releases

Sept. 2, 2025

“American Soul: The Black History of Food in the United States - Including 40 Recipes” by Anela Malik and Renae Wilson

One of our most anticipated fall releases explores the contributions of the Black diaspora in shaping American cuisine. “American Soul: The Black History of Food in the United” includes 40 recipes such as Southern skillet cornbread, jerk pork lumpia, and blackberry cobbler. Readers can browse more than 150 photographs and read testimonies from more than 30 Black chefs, restaurateurs and historians.

Anela Malik, the influencer behind Feed the Malik, is a videographer, host and writer who explores topics ranging from the role of food in our lives to cultural expectations related to dining and travel to emphasis on the Black diaspora, Black-owned businesses, and Black stories.

“Dinks and Drinks: A Pickleball Cocktail Book” by Camille Wilson

Pickleball fans rejoice: Camille Wilson, recipe developer and author of “Free Spirit Cocktails: 40 Nonalcoholic Drink Recipes,” has a book just for you. It includes more than 40 pickleball-inspired drink recipes great for pregaming, post-gaming or sipping courtside between rounds. She uses phrases and terminology such as Cucumber-infused Backspin Spritz, Tequila-tastic Midcourt Margarita and The Pickletini, a classic with a briny twist. Browse the colorful images and read an overview of cocktail-making equipment and bar ingredients, instructions for crafting flavorful syrups, and coaching on how to put some topspin on a serving glass with the perfect decorative rim.

Wilson, founder of The Cocktail Snob blog, helps people discover the best cocktails in New York and features simple recipes for those who want to create happy hour at home.

Sept. 9, 2025

“For the Love of Chocolate: 80 At-Home Recipes from a Master Chocolatier's Imagination” by Phillip Ashley Rix

Who doesn’t like a chocolate? Now, you can make your own at home. Phillip Ashley Rix guides beginners and experienced bakers through an inspiring collection of desserts, confections and drinks that promise to transform their chocolate-making experience. Each page blends tradition with innovation, ranging from the comfort of Phillip's grandmother's recipes to the thrill of avant-garde creations. Master making treats such as "Bollywood" Cashew Coconut Curry Truffles, Turtle Cheesecake Baked French Toast, and Chocolate Sweet Potato Pie with Brown Sugar Meringue. Readers will also learn about the history of chocolate, tempering chocolate, chocolate molds and shells, and more.

Phillip, a Master Chocolatier, founded Phillip Ashley Chocolates, a chocolate shop in Memphis, Tennessee that was named one of America’s finest chocolatiers by Forbes.

Sept. 10, 2025

“Chef Celeste's Louisiana Kitchen: Simplifying Cajun and Creole Cuisine” by Celeste Gill

Chef Celeste Gill learned to cook Southern cuisine from her mother and grandmother at the age of four. She trained as a chef in Hawaii and made Louisiana her home, where she works to promote farm-to-table cooking and eating. Gill also helps chefs build their confidence in preparing traditional Louisiana dishes. “Chef Celeste's Louisiana Kitchen” showcases easy-to-follow recipes, breaking down challenging preparation procedures into manageable directions. The recipes celebrate the bounty of Louisiana's native plants and animals while highlighting the use of fresh ingredients. Don’t let that discourage you. Gill also makes adjustments for chefs who live outside of the state or who don’t have easy access to fresh produce and meats.

Gill is a chef, caterer and the owner of 520 Spain, an event venue in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

October Releases

Oct. 15, 2025

“Recipes from the American South” by Michael W Twitty

“Recipes from the American South” showcases America’s most diverse cuisines. Historian Michael W. Twitty takes home cooks on a journey from the Louisiana Bayou to the Chesapeake Bay, showcasing more than 260 of the region's most beloved dishes. It includes both iconic dishes and lesser-known specialties such as She-crab Soup, Hummingbird Cake, and Mint Juleps alongside with Chorizo Dirty Rice, Sumac Lemonade, and Cajun Pig's Ears Pastry.

Twitty is an acclaimed culinary historian and author of the two-times James Beard Award-winning book “The Cooking Gene” as well as “Rice: A Savor of the South Cookbook,” and “Koshersoul: The Faith and Food Journey of an African American Jew.”

Oct. 21, 2025

“Goldee's Bar-B-Q: A Cookbook” by Jalen Heard, Lane Milne, Jonny White, et al.

Goldee's pitmasters' understand that the secret ingredient in barbecue is not a particular spice in the rub but hours of paying attention to fire and meat.

They share how to trim, season, and smoke meat as well as share tips on managing a fire and monitoring temperature. Recipes range from brisket to ribs to beans. The cookbook also captures the story of best friends coming together to make a place where they could share their love of cooking.

Goldee's Bar-B-Q, based in Dallas-Fort Worth, opened a few weeks before COVID-19 and named the best in the state by Texas Monthly in 2021.

“The Best American Food and Travel Writing 2025” by Bryant Terry and Jaya Saxena

Sometimes we feature non-cookbooks on our website and this is one of them. Authors Bryant Terry and Jaya Saxena share 20 pieces published in 2024 that explore how food and travel shape our culture. Add this paperback to your to-be-read list.

Terry is a James Beard Award-winning chef, and the author of six books, including “Black Food,” “Afro-Vegan,” and “Vegetable Kingdom.”

Saxena is the co-author of Basic Witches (Quirk, 2017) and a staff writer at Eater.

Oct. 28, 2025

“Everything's Good: Cozy Classics You'll Cook Always and Forever” by Toni Chapman

“Everything’s Good” features 100 recipes that include tips, tricks and vibrant photographs. Find dishes ranging from Puerto Rican chicken stew to lemon-butter cod to Good Vibes rum punch. Toni Chapman, the creator of Toni’s Recipes and The Moody Foody, shares soulful and cozy recipes, several have been passed down from her family. Some are also inspired by the Southern staples she grew up eating, and others are classics such as Creamy White Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde.

Chapman is a home cook and recipe developer that creates flavor-packed, approachable foods that has landed her on “Good Morning America,” “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and “CBS Mornings.”

Emeril Lagasse wrote: "Everything's Good is bold, soulful, and full of heart--Toni Chapman's debut brings folks together with feel-good, flavor-packed food. She's the real deal-- BAM!"

November releases

Nov. 4, 2025

“Let's Get Into It: 130+ Comfort Food Recipes for Novice Cooks by Davon Moseley

Moseley, the creator behind Royale Eats, takes classic, comfort recipes and give them a modern twist. The easy-to-follow instructions help you build confidence in the kitchen.

He’s a food content creator, home cook, and health and wellness coach from the Washington, DC metropolitan area with southern roots in North Carolina. His passion for all things culinary is rooted in his connection to his family, who showed him at a young age the importance food has in the world. He was taught that food, outside of nourishing the body, is a tool used to bring people together. Those roots inspired a true love and appreciation for the home-cooking experience and serve as the foundation for Royale Eats.

“Wine Pairing for the People: The Communion of Wine, Food, and Culture from Africa and Beyond” by Cha McCoy

Certified Sommelier Cha McCoy believes wine is for everyone. In “Wine Pairing for People,” she pairs wine and food from Africa, Asia, and other continents, countries and regions that deserve attention. This guide book includes pairing lists and menus, ranging from Moroccan Tagine to Jamaican Jerk Chicken to Mexican Elote. Chefs and mixologists also share 25 recipes that represent the heritage of each destination, with food accompanied by suggested wine pairing.

McCoy’s wine dinner series, The Communion, was profiled in Food & Wine, and she was named one of Wine Enthusiast's 40 Under 40. She also has held positions such as Cherry Bombe's first beverage director, the head of beverage for the Charleston Wine + Food Festival, and a sommelier at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Portugal.

“Make Do with What You Have: 100 Delicious New Recipes from Favorite Old-School Meals” by Kardea Brown

Kardea Brown, the New York Times bestselling author of “The Way Home,” returns with her second cookbook with more than 100 recipes inspired by her childhood favorites. For example, she shares Geechee Egg Rice for breaksfast, Ramen Chicken Noddle Soup for lunch, and Grilled "Poke" Chops for dinner. Dessert includes items such as Warm Sticky Apple Pudding. The best part: They won’t break the bank.

Brown is the host of Food Network’s “Delicious Miss Brown” and “Kids Baking Championship.” She lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her husband Bryon and their fur baby Rhubarb.