Syosset Public Library TeenSpace Blog

I want to discuss the trend of food blogs and mention some of the newest teen books about cooking (some even have recipes included). Learning how to cook has never been so trendy. There are so many sources of inspiration: the shows and celebrity chef’s featured on Food Network, Top Chef, Hell’s Kitchen, a new movie, Julie & Julia about legendary chef Julia Child, and tons (TONS! Literally tons!) of “foodie” blogs on the web. Some of the blogs are written by amazing teenage chefs who are cooking and baking their way up the culinary ladder. Here are a few that were especially delicious and impressive:
http://www.blogcatalog.com/blog/17-and-baking
Elissa, a 17 year old baker in Seattle.
http://jeremycooks.blogspot.com/
Jeremy Salamon, an everyday 15 year old kid with an extraordinary passion for cooking.
http://teenagehealthnut.blogspot.com/
Cherry, an 18 year old vegan who loves cooking, eating healthy, volunteering, and using the internet.
http://veganteencuisine.blogspot.com/
Peggy, 16, vegan, and loving every bit of it….
http://foodieatfifteen.blogspot.com/
Nick, just a (now 16) year old high school student in the Philadelphia suburbs with a love for food.
At the library we have tons of cookbooks (on the main floor of the library) and a number of young adult novels with cooking and food themes. Here are a few of our recent titles:

Dear Julia by Amy Bronwen Zemser.
Shy sixteen-year-old Elaine has long dreamed of being the next Julia Child, to the dismay of her feminist mother, but when her first friend, the outrageous Lucida Sans, convinces Elaine to enter a cooking contest, anything could happen.

The Sweet Life of Stella Madison by Lara Zeises.
Seventeen-year-old Stella struggles with the separation of her renowned chef parents, writing a food column for the local paper even though she is a junk food addict, and having a boyfriend but being attracted to another.

Crush du jour by Micol Ostow
When Laine decides to teach a cooking class at her local community center, she meets Seth, her sexy co-teacher, and when he offers her a job at his family restaurant, Laine cannot resist, but soon discovers that Callie, another waitress, is planning to steal Seth for herself.

My Saucy Stuffed Ravioli: The Life of Angelica Cookson Potts by Cherry Whytock.
While preparing for and going on vacation to Italy with her friends and family, food-loving English teenager Angelica deals with her unrequited love for Sydney, her fear of being seen in public in a bikini, and her worries that her mother might be having an affair. Includes recipes.

Flavor of the Week by Tucker Shaw.
Cyril, an overweight boy who is good friends with Rose but wishes he could be more, helps his best friend Nick woo her with culinary masterpieces which Cyril himself secretly creates. Includes recipes from the story.

Hot Lunch by Alex Bradley.
When Molly and Cassie are assigned to work in the kitchen as a punishment for their food fight, they realize that the only way they are going to be released from the duty is to cooperate and learn to cook. Includes some recipes.
With so much inspiration, there’s no excuse not to whip up something delish! Check the upcoming Winter newsletter at the Syosset Library for a teen cupcake decorating workshop at the library as well. Go forth and cook!
Sharon Long
Teen Services Librarian