October is National Cookbook Month
Food Temptress Cookbook Store connects customers to cookbooks by Black authors that inspire creativity and preserve food traditions. Founded in 2021 as an online book shop, it pays homage to the mothers, grandmothers and ancestors who have created edible, magical moments in the kitchen.
In 2023, owner Rekaya Gibson opened a physical space in Virginia Beach, inside the Painted Tree Boutiques. Nearly 100 cookbooks are displayed, with recipes ranging from African cuisine to soul food to vegan dishes. People can support by visiting the store from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily or shopping online at www.FoodTemptress.com.
| Soignée Intimate Conversationwith Rekaya Gibson |
| Rekaya Gibson is a food journalist for The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press in Norfolk, Virginia. She also owns Food Temptress Cookbook Store in Virginia Beach, a shop dedicated to cookbooks by Black authors. An Indiana native, she began her career as a freelance writer and went on to publish eight books across multiple genres, including a wine journal, 100 Writing Prompts Inspired by Social Media, and her debut novel, The Food Temptress, released in 2009. Her passion for food continues to shape her brand, and she plans to put her private investigator credentials to use by writing a culinary cozy mystery series in the future. SLM: How did you begin your writing career, and when were you first published? I started my writing career in 2005 by using “Writer’s Market” by Writer’s Digest Books, a resource with submission guidelines, contact information and guidance on how much to charge for freelancing. I narrowed down my top five publications and sent a pitch to the first one. It worked and lucky for me, the editor owned five other magazines. I ended up writing articles for most of them. My first novel, The Food Temptress, was published on January 15, 2009, by Xpress Yourself Publishing Co., a small press based in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. SLM: What does writing about food give you that nothing else can? It forces me to tap into my five senses that persuade readers to take a seat at the table. SLM: Reviewing cookbooks is an art of its own. What’s something you look for that most readers might not notice?I look for well-written recipes that list all ingredients in order of instructions. No exceptions. They provide ease in preparation and give people the desired outcome. SLM: You’ve been a freelance food writer for years. How does that writing background influence the way you connect with your customers? My background as a food and drink reporter gives me confidence and credibility when interacting with customers. I’m also knowledgeable about a variety of foods that allow me to have relatable conversations with people from different walks of life. Lastly, my experience as a food writer has taught me to ask probing questions to address customer needs. SLM: What was the exact moment you knew you wanted to create a bookstore that focused on cookbooks by Black authors? Picture it. Virginia Beach, 2021. I asked myself what I should do with more than 50 cookbooks. I had reviewed them for Cuisine Noir magazine, a lifestyle media that connects the African diaspora through food, drink and travel. It made sense to create a bookstore to feature them and other culinary books. The U.S. doesn’t have many cookbook stores and only a few that focus on Black authors. I figured this would be my way of helping to preserve our history and to pass on food traditions. SLM: You’ve written, reviewed, and now curate books. Which role challenges you the most, and which one comes easiest?I find writing the most challenging. It involves the synergy of creativity, attention to detail, and a discerning eye. These components take time to gel for a person who doesn’t use outlines, also known as a pantser. I write by the seat of my pants. On the other hand, I love to curate books. Pain doesn’t live there. It only requires a visual book analysis to determine its saleability. I can handle that task if I have my glasses on. SLM: Your store opened online in 2021 and then physically in 2023. What was the biggest adjustment between running a virtual shop and a brick-and-mortar space? Showing up mentality and/or physically to handle business. I work a full-time job as a food journalist, so managing my time and changing my mindset were key. Daily tasks need to get done no matter how tired I am or whether I sell a book – a true labor of love. SLM: What’s a cookbook in your store that deserves more attention than it gets? Chef Todd Richards explores how West African foods influence American cooking in “Roots, Heart, Soul: The Story, Celebration, and Recipes of Afro Cuisine in America.” This cookbook deserves more attention because it gives digestible history lessons without being dry and boring. More than 100 straightforward recipes help readers navigate the pages from the slave trade to The Great Migration, highlighting the importance of telling our stories and passing down recipes and food traditions to the next generation. SLM: The publishing and culinary worlds have both struggled with representation. What gaps do you still see, and how does your store address them? I also wish there were more children’s cookbooks written by Black authors, and cookbooks that focus on a single ingredient. I address these gaps by finding books that feature authors, chefs, and cooks from the African diaspora, either as contributors or as the subject matter. SLM: Beyond buying a cookbook, what’s the most meaningful way someone can support your mission? I would love for people to mention my bookstore in a room full of opportunities. Tell friends, family and social media followers. Purchase an electronic gift card. Encourage teachers to create wish lists in my online book shop, which has books in all genres. Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter for upcoming cookbooks. Readers, here are all the ways to show up and support the author and bookstore owner. Connect and Follow Rekaya Gibson https://www.foodtemptresscookbookstore.com https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRekayaGibsonhttps://www.instagram.com/foodtemptresscookbookstorehttps://www.facebook.com/foodtemptresscookbookstore |
Rekaya Gibson, Owner, Food Temptress Cookbook Store
1624 Laskin Road, Suite 748
Inside Painted Tree Boutiques, Space G10
Virginia Beach, VA 23451
https://www.foodtemptresscookbookstore.com