Cook It Up

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 75 family favorites get leveled up to be even bolder, saucier, cheesier, and crisper thanks to Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli and her highly opinionated chef-in-training daughter Ava!

A FOOD NETWORK BEST COOKBOOK OF THE YEAR

From the time she was old enough to hold a fork, Ava has been at Alex’s side in the kitchen, whether eating lusciously cheesy gnocchi at Alex’s New York City restaurant, Butter, or making classic French omelets with her famous Iron Chef mom. While Alex turns to treasured cookbooks for inspiration, Ava scrolls through TikTok—and now as a teenager, Ava is teaching Alex a thing or two.

Through seventy-five witty and informative recipes, Alex and Ava share a repertoire of dishes that define their modern family meals: bold flavored, comforting, satisfying, and always supremely delicious. Side by side, they cook their way through family favorites like Blueberry Pie from Alex’s mom, a legendary cookbook editor, and Nanny Ida’s Crisp Potato Latkes. Tips and notes offer great cooking advice for achieving the fluffiest frittatas (add water, never milk) and how to season and mix meatballs so they always stay juicy (spread the mixture up around the sides of the bowl and then season). There’s even a bonus recipe for dog biscuits, inspired by Alex and Ava’s family dog, Leon!

Cooking with authority is learned and earned in this smart and joyous cookbook that celebrates a mother-daughter bond that’s stronger than the even the most garlicky garlic bread (the secret is​—surprise—lots of shallots!).

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs