I think this book had a lot of promise. It just missed the mark for me. Some people’s stories were multiple pages while others I think wrote theirs on a post it note.

It just felt disjointed and missing something. I don’t know. I hope there’s another book because I love the idea of this book.

When I saw this book, I knew I would love it, and my prediction was right!

From Amazon:

Recipe for Disaster is a collection of stories and recipes—from a veritable who's who from the worlds of food, music, art, literature, activism, fashion, and pop culture—about finding comfort in food, surviving the unthinkable, and living to tell about both.

Discover how getting dumped led to author Samantha Irby's Rejection Chicken. Comedian Sarah Silverman tells of the power of the humble Pinwheel cookie that got her through bouts of crippling childhood depression. Culinary legend Alice Waters reflects on how a perfectly dressed salad has carried her and her chosen family through loneliness and uncertainty. Here are forty recipes—some traditional, some unconventional—that commemorate the low points with the same culinary conviction with which we celebrate the highs. Part cookbook, part candid confessions, this book of good food for bad times reminds us that even the worst of days yield something worth sharing.

INTERSECTIONAL FEAST OF PERSPECTIVES: This book of tales of truly comforting food features a highly diverse, all-star who's who from the worlds of music, food, art, literature, performance, activism, and pop culture.

ALL-STAR CONTRIBUTORS: Storytellers include Samantha Irby, Alice Waters, Bowen Yang, Michael W. Twitty, Cey Adams, Chelsea Peretti, Simon Doonan, Meshell Ndegeocello, Brian Lehrer, Gabrielle Hamilton, Becca Blackwell, Jacqueline Woodson, Sarah Silverman, Raul Lopez, Thundercat, and many more.

UNIQUE AND ENGAGING: Featuring funny, heartbreaking, bittersweet, but always relatable essays and interviews that inspire recognition and laughter, accompanied by inspirational (and sometimes unconventional) recipes, with evocative photography that upends traditional cookbook styles.

HUMOR IS HEALING: This book reminds us of the value of our experiences, good and bad, and their capacity to bring levity and purpose to the moments we need them most. Recipe for Disaster was conceived through the deeply held belief that there is humor, liberation, and universal truth to be found through the exchange of these stories.

Perfect for:

Arts and pop-culture aficionados
Foodies and followers of celebrity chefs
Quirky/gorgeous gift for birthday, anniversary, holiday, or any special occasion that celebrates life, love, and the power of food
A unique resource for home cooks and browsable keepsake for readers seeking diverse, funny, and inspiring books
Readers of Humans of New York: Stories, Cherry Bombe, Anthony Bourdain, and every juicy celebrity tell-all they can get their hands on

My Take:

What made me so sure I would love this book are the bright and funny stories and recipes from various people. I love that food helps us know a person even better than before. The photographs are amazing and help round out the rather blunt writing. You cannot help but develop a sense of community as you recognize your family and friends in the stories of others.

About the Author:

Alison Riley is a writer and creative director based in Brooklyn and Hudson, NY, and founder of the paper and text studio, Set Editions. Originally from Cambridge, MA, she moved to New York City to study creative writing at Barnard College and has spent the last twenty-five years working inside brands and businesses and as consigliere to creators of all kinds, from musicians to art directors, and writers to fashion designers. This is her first book.

Very funny and poignant. Food is often about more than eating and this collection proves it. This would make a great gift for a pop culture/foodie friend.

Recipe for Disaster starts off strong, with a funny and relatable story from Samantha Irby. The recipe and the story weave together so thoughtfully, and I was excited to continue reading the book. But honestly, I feel like Irby's story was the best one in the book, while as I read on, the stories and recipes got more disjointed. Some people's stories were only 2 paragraphs long and didn't mention food at all. Others were detailed over pages, with a recipes slapped at the end, often times a recipe that had nothing to do with their story. I totally understand what this book was trying to do, and as a baker myself, I love the connection of memories and food. But this book really needed a guiding light because it felt like some contributors understood the assignment, while others turned in a completely irrelevant piece of work.

I do think this book would make a good gift for the foodie in your life, since some of the recipes did look pretty good, but it wouldn't be my go to cookbook/memoir to recommend.

This was an interesting read. As with any collection, there will be some stories that sing and others that drag. Samantha Irby is always funny, and I've found myself thinking Alice Waters and her view on salad. "A good salad will buoy my spirits. A good salad, I now realize, will help see me through calamity." I am eager to try the vinaigrette from her famous restaurant, Chez Panisse, although I am certain it will pale in comparison to the real thing. Overall, this book gave me a nice collection of thinks to think about and foodstuffs to try.

Absolutely loved the concept> The editor's prompt was: “Can you name a low point, of any size and shape, and the food memory you associate with surviving it?”

But some of the stories left a lot to be desired. They were very short and some didn't involved food or weren't even food-adjacent. Other contributors didn't even write a mini-essay, it's just a short interview with the editor. This was disappointing, in addition to not knowing who many of the contributors were.

The ones actually written by authors were much better. Jacqueline Woodson's is absolutely lovely and the recipes she contributed were also put together with so much care, Samantha Irby's was very funny, and I really liked Michael W. Twitty's but it didn't have anything to do with the prompt! And what a missed opportunity, because the recipes in his book The Cooking Gene were so good, and he's an incredible storyteller.

Nice collection of stories with a recipe for each of them. Some are funny, some are sad and some of the recipes and tips sound fantastic.

I received an ARC of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love reading books about food and this one took a unique approach. I enjoyed it.

Okay. This is an esoteric and somewhat unique combination memoir-essay/ recipe book. It took me awhile of flipping through it to get the vibe, and I definitely appreciated some selections more than others. Some of the celebrity contributors are probably better known to a more pop-culture- savvy audience than I am. Some of the photography was lovely; the concept was worth exploring.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this part antidote/part cookbook by Alison Riley - 4 stars!

Food and hard times just seem to go together. Who hasn't grabbed a pint of ice cream to counteract heartache? The author has compiled short essays from celebrities from all avenues talking about their hard time and the food that helped them through. The pictures alone are worth picking this book up, but reading through some of the recipes definitely improved my mood. Samantha Irby's Rejection Chicken recipe will definitely make you laugh out loud - plus it sounds really good too!

A cookbook and yet so much more. It’s a collection of recipes each accompanied with a short story in which the authors share what each recipe means to them and why. Funny, sweet, poignant vignettes. A wonderful book to add to your own shelf or as a gift. A really nice addition to my cookbook collection.

Interesting mix of memories and food from some famous and not so famous people. Good coffee table book, not necessarily something to read front to back, in order.

This is a unique collection of recipes from a wide variety of contributors. Just a few of those whose food is featured include Samantha Irby, Sara Silverman, Alice Waters, Brian Lehrer and Jacqueline Woodson.

Many recipes and vignettes are in these pages.. There is something so comforting in knowing that anyone may be challenged at times or has a story to tell. Food is one thing that may help a person through and there are many things to try here. I liked that there were some simple recipes since when one is struggling, easy may be best. For example, I think anyone could make and enjoy the scrambled eggs.

This book is a nice resource and one that readers may turn to again and again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

This is a very unique book with essays by a variety of different people (40 superstars) on food, heartbreak, solace, and comfort. I really enjoyed some of the stories and as a bonus many of them share their recipes! I always love Samantha Irby's writing and was laughing out loud at her essay about rejection chicken. Another story reminded me of the time that I was heartbroken and my best friend made me eggs and French Press Coffee in her college apartment and I felt so cared for -- that is the essence of these essays. The photos in the book are interesting - sometimes beautiful and sometimes a little gross and I did not always know what the photos had to do with the essays if at all. This is a quick read and does not need to be read from cover to cover.

Thank you to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for an ARC. I have left a review voluntarily.

This book was not what I expected. The subtitle is "40 Superstar Stories of Sustenenace and Survival." Maybe I am not the target audience, but of all the essayists, I had only ever heard of a handful. I also thought that each essay would have a recipe, and many of them did not. I would not consider this a cookbook, rather a collection of essays that happens to have some recipes sprinkled in. The essays were also much darker than I expected - many were about topics like war, 9/11, AIDS, death, and the early days of COVID-19. Calling the book stories of "survival" to me implied that some of them would end on a more positive or optimistic note, but I didn't find this.

This short collection of essays was a fun read! Some of your favorite chefs share their recipes (I am hoping to try a few) that they have turned to heal them in disaster. In love, life, or whatever calamity we are facing, there’s always that one recipe that comforts us. I enjoyed the peek into their lives’!

Recipe for Disaster by Alison Riley combined several things I love into one book - heartfelt stories of reflection, food and recipes, known personalities in the writing and food landscape, and interesting visual images. Food and meals often play a large part in how and why we remember an event. The way we celebrate with special recipes or meals seems to be a regular thing to read about, but I really enjoyed the 'twist' this book provided in a focus on the food that brought comfort in a difficult time or how heartbreak brought forth a now-beloved meal. This book might not be for everyone, but it was for me in the Venn diagram of my interests.

If you don't want to see a picture of the food from the recipe but instead want to see a picture of broken champaign glasses or disposable gloves then this book is for you. I mean nothing makes me want to try a recipe more than a picture of a charred envelope or a gearstick.

I don't think this book was exactly what I thought it was going to be. It is trying to be more artsy and less a traditional cookbook. That format wasn't really working for me.

I also thought that all the authors were providing a story and a recipe. There really weren't that many recipes. Mostly stories...some funny, some sad. And the one I was really looking forward to was Sarah Silverman and her story was short and one I had heard many times before.

***Advanced copy obtained from Chronicle Books via Netgalley***

An interesting book, there are 27 recipes, and 27 stories of distaster- personal, emotion, career, romatic and more. It's all covered here with colored photographic graphics nad pictures of the food. The recipes range from simple, made with pantry items, to more complex with ethnic based ingredients. This might be a cookbook to add to a gift basket for a friend/family member going through rough times, to help cheer them, that you are there for them.

This Is SO Me:

‘While I am quite fluent in disasters when it comes to cooking, I am a person who needs a recipe. I do not possess the ability to throw things together to make a magical meal. Many of my friends and family members are alchemists of that kind; combining disparate ingredients from various cabinets in a way they just have a hunch might be complimentary.’

‘I have none of that.’

RECIPE FOR DISASTER – Forty Superstar Stories Of Sustenance And Survival – by Alison Riley

I don’t highlight all forty stories in this review, but I do touch on the majority of them and list the rest at the end.

First Up:

‘Rejection Chicken’ - by Samantha Irby

‘First things first, you gotta get dumped. Everybody gets dumped! I have been broken up with dozens of times, mostly for reasons that I refuse to believe are my fault, and every single time the feeling I get afterward isn’t sadness or despair or unrequited longing . . . it’s hunger.’

I Love This, From The List Of Ingredients:

‘Pepper and the dehydrated salt from your tears.’

‘In Bed with No Fever’ – by Sarah Silverman – Very Relatable! They’re My Favorites Too.

‘Under the Sea’ – by Hannah Black and Carla Perez-Gallardo – Probably not a recipe I would partake in, but the shroom story was tripping! ;) I love calamari—hard pass on squid ink, though.

‘Seasoned, Not Sauced’ – by Bowen Yang – Awwwee, I love this one!

‘Oddball’ – by Michael W. Twitter – My Heart!

‘Without a Gathering, a Good Salad’ – by Alice Waters – Very Relatable!

‘A good salad will buoy my spirits. A good salad—I now realize—will help see me through calamity.’

‘This is a recipe for our classic Chez Panisse vinaigrette. It is the sauce I make most often, and if it’s made out of good olive oil and good wine vinegar, it’s the best salad dressing I can imagine.’

‘The Best of the Worst’ – by Laurie Woolever – My Heart, I have no words.

‘Portrait of a Single Father’ – by Cey Adams – Awwwweee. Warm comfort foods are the best!

‘Pesto to Pass Time’ - by Chelsea Peretti – I have never been a huge fan of Pesto, but this recipe sounds delicious! As a fellow Californian, I love Peretti’s ‘California-style improvisation.’

‘A Balm Then, a Balm Now’ – by Tien Nguyen - I have never tried Trú’ng Flat, but it sounds delicious. My only concern is the fish sauce with my high blood pressure; do they make a low-sodium version?

‘Forget All Your Troubles’ – by Joan As Police Woman – Roasted Japanese Sweet Potato—Yes, Please! I promise to eat the skin! :)

‘A Mess for a Moment’ – by Hassan Pierre – Mmmmm, Yummy Comfort Food!

‘Coasting in on an Empty Tank’ – by Nicholas Galanin – Fruit Gelatin Cups—Yum! A homemade recipe that’s perfect for a road trip.

‘To Accompany Pig’ – by Bob Power – Bob’s Roasted Cauliflower Side Dish – Roasted or Grilled Veggies Are My Favorite!

Power, Referring To 2016:

‘[M]ore of a creeping depression than a sudden jolt of bad news; a slow leak from a toilet that, at first, you want to ignore ….’

Oh, I am right there with you on that one, Powers! *fist bump*

‘The Art of Giving’ - by Money Mark - Guacamole with Pomegranate and Cotijo Cheese
Cotijo Cheese is salty, but I can make this work.


‘How to Treat Yourself’ – by Kia Cooks – Very Relatable!

‘I was trying to contain myself with surface-level affirmations so that I would not burst apart at the seams, only to realize I was trying to prevent a breakdown that I was already in the middle of having.’


‘A Ritual of Hope’ - by Simon Doonan – My Heart! Macro Miso Soup sounds delicious. I have never tried Wakame before.

‘Beans for All Time’ - by Liz Lambert –

‘Pinto beans. A heavy-bottomed pot of beans, simmering on the stove in a crowded kitchen, murmurs and laughter, glasses clinking. In a lonely kitchen, a meditation.’

Two of my favorite comfort foods from my childhood would have to be Mom’s homemade kidney Chili and Dad's pinto beans with ham hock—Yum!

‘Crispy, Hot, Salty Potatoes’ – by Justin Vivian Bond

‘My mom didn’t really like cooking too much. But one thing she did love making was crispy fried potatoes.’

‘For the Record’ – by Meshell Ndegeocello – My Heart!

‘Maybe I wasn’t ever going to succeed at being the most marketable and maybe it would cost me fame and fortune, but I would make what I wanted to make.’

‘A Soft Spot’ – by Alex Wagner – ‘I had a soft spot for Italian-style tuna salad….’

‘I remember the feeling of helplessness and vulnerability that day, but also how hard it was to grapple with the enormity of this hell, to process what was unfolding.’

My Heart!

‘Amidst a City Torn Apart’ – by Ulla Johnson

‘She lived in an apartment that had once felt grand to me, with its proper dining room, fine crystal, and moldings. But the heart of the home had always been Lela’s kitchen in the back with a small table featuring a shiny, patterned vinyl tablecloth where she would serve me and my mom and cousins the most delicious of meals—a combination of Austro-Hungarian haute cuisine and Bosnian comfort foods.’

For Dessert – Šnenokle – Yum! This dessert sounds good and simple to make; however, my ability to beat egg whites into meringue, creating essential peaks, is hit-and-miss on a good day. : /

‘When the Rims Went Down’ – by Bobbito García, aka Kool Bob Love

‘Alison Riley: Do you cook?’

‘Bobbito García: I do cook. I cook, but if you took all the cooking I have done in my life—my whole life—it would not equal the amount of cooking I did in 2020.’

‘But the dishes, the dishes, the f*ckin dishes.’

Me: Yep, Same!

The vegan pizza with a sweet potato wrap instead of dough sounds good! Referring to the quote I used at the beginning of this review, Garcia, I need measurements! :) Please and Thank You.

‘The Simplicity of Congee’ – by LinYee Yuan – My Heart!

‘My favorite version, made with chicken stock or the leftover chicken bones from a roast, would be a fitting tribute to my poultry-loving cat.’

Chicken Congee for Oski sounds pretty easy to make as a nice warm comfort food.

‘Indestructible Pea Soup’ – by Brian Lehrer

That is quite the name for one of my favorite soups!

‘I tend to eat and cook very simply and am not the person to turn to for recipes, believe me. In fact, I recommend that you skip this page and go on to the next person.’

Bummer!

‘A G&T for the Down & Out’ – by Gabrielle Hamilton – Gin and Tonic

‘If you bring the drink to your lips for a first sip and notice that in your distracted despondency you forgot to peel off the little barcode sticker on the hunk of lime now floating in the ice, consider it extra good luck, as I do.’

‘If Martha Stewart Only Knew!’ – by Richard Christiansen

‘Suddenly, I got a message that Martha Stewart would be coming over for dinner.
We pulled the lines in and scrambled to get back to land. The house was a disaster….’

Simple Roasted Striped Bass – An easy-to-make dish that sounds really good!

‘Scared & Horny Sandwich’ – by Fran Tirado – You can’t help but laugh when reading the name of this next recipe. Color Me Intrigued!

‘Coming from a Chicana-Boricua diaspora, you’d think my parents would’ve passed more of our Latinx culinary tradition down to me. Yet, all I really got was this sandwich “recipe.”’

Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich – This recipe has a new food I tried for the first time last year—Goat Cheese.

Side Note: sliced roasted beets with mustard and goat cheese sprinkled on top is the perfect blend of flavors.

‘Security Pizza’ – by Becca Blackwell

‘I had conflicting systems running inside of me. I felt more masculine, but I never felt like a man. All of which is probably why I never felt like I fit in.’

This recipe is a healthy version of pizza using homemade pizza dough, poor man’s pesto, and sliced cooked Brussel sprouts with a little Parmigiana.

Now, I admit I am not a huge fan of Brussel, however, I would give this blend of flavors a try.

The remaining stories in this book are by:

‘Staples’ - by Rachel McKibbens – Spicy Pinto Beans
‘Mother of Invention’ – by Jacqueline Woodson – Sofrito/Chicken Stew
‘Zigni to Warm My Heart’ – by Raul Lopez – Zigni
‘Joy and Relief’ – by Alba Clemente – Pasta alla Puttanesca
‘A Dish to Hold the Love’ – by Damani Baker – Aunt Shirley’s Red Velvet Cake
‘Spread Peanut Butter, Not Pain’ – by Ron Finley – Grilled Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Sandwich
‘My Favorite, Then and Now’ – by Thundercat
‘Ceviche on the Stoop’ – by Angelo Baque
‘An Overflow of Love and Plumbing’ – by Andrew Tarlow – Coq au Vin
‘Eighth Grade Memory Dance’ – by Kyle Abraham
‘De-Humiliating Muffins’ – by Emily King – Banana Walnut Chocolate Chip Muffins

Thank You, NetGalley and Chronicle Books, for providing me with an eARC of RECIPE FOR DISASTER at the request of an honest review.

Scheduled For Release, Though Subject To Change – March 14, 2023