EP 71 Eat Like a Hero: Game-Based Cookbooks Feed More than Appetites

Cookbooks take many approaches to inspiring readers to try new foods or to revisit familiar ones as a way to find common ground, especially amongst people with a shared fandom. In this episode, Kim and Leigh discuss “Heroes’ Feast,” the official cookbook for the popular Dungeons & Dragons game as an example of how fandom-based cookbooks blend food and immersive storytelling to unite communities and strengthen family bonds.

Feast Your Imagination: Discover the Magical Link Between Fantasy & Food

Our own hero journey began in a bookstore, where a shelf of cookbooks related to high fantasy themes inspired Kim to an epiphany about the connection between immersive storytelling and culinary experiences.

Immersive storytelling, whether through books, shows, movies, or games like "Lord of the Rings," "Harry Potter," or "Game of Thrones," transports audiences to richly-detailed alternative worlds. These worlds become complete with their own cultures, languages, and, importantly, unique cuisines. Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a role-playing game globally-renowned for its storytelling and collaborative nature. 

The bookshelf that inspired the Eat Like a Hero Episode. Kim may have come home with one (or more of these books) 😉

Within the game world, food and drink often transcend mere sustenance; they become utility items with in-game benefits and consequences. For example, a dish like "Dragon's Breath Chili" might provide protection from fire damage but result in a character belching fireballs. These culinary elements add depth and character to the gaming experience and create shared memories among players.

The official Dungeons & Dragons cookbook, "Heroes' Feast" brings iconic food and drinks from the game into the real world and sparks lively discussions and modifications of recipes on social media platforms.

The cool thing is that you really don’t need to know anything about the Dungeons & Dragons universe to enjoy the recipes contained in its official companion cookbook, but its names and in-game references will certainly resonate with fans.

Episode Transcript

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Books We Think You’ll  Enjoy Reading

• Heroes’ Feast, The Official Dungeons & Dragons Cookbook by Kyle Newman, John Peterson, Michael Witwer, and unnamed Chef

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon 

• The Geeky Chef cookbooks by Cassandra Reeder - volume of five books includes recipes inspired by a variety of video games, movies, and TV shows.

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon 

• The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook: From Cauldron Cake to Knickerbocker Glory by Dinah Bucholz

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon

• The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon

• World of Warcraft: The Official Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon

• Hearthstone: Innkeeper’s Tavern Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel

  Purchase: Amazon

• Fallout: The Vault Dweller's Official Cookbook by Victoria Rosenthal

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon

• The Ultimate Final Fantasy XIV Cookbook: The Essential Culinarian Guide to Hydaelyn by Victoria Rosenthal

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon

• Sonic the Hedgehog: The Official Cookbook  by Victoria Rosenthal

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon

• Overwatch: The Official Cookbook by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon

• Destiny: The Official Cookbook by Victoria Rosenthal

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon

• Minecraft: Gather, Cook, Eat! Official Cookbook by Tara Theoharis

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon

• The Pokémon Cookbook: Easy & Fun Recipes by Maki Kudo

  Purchase: Bookshop.org OR Amazon

Episodes We Think You’ll Like

Join us in two weeks when Leigh share the recipe she cooked from The Heroes’ Feast.

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