We're not in the business of predicting things, usually... but reading through the advanced copy of Sheldon Simeon's new book "Cook Real Hawaii" we're betting that this is an award winner for best new cookbook of 2021. Photographed with a sensibility that captures the soul , culture and sheer joy behind cooking local food, Sheldon Simeon, ( with help from Gareth Snyder) has done a masterful job of relaying his love of Hawaii's food and culture through recipes and storytelling,
The result is a well recorded, beautifully photographed history of the cultures that have made Hawaii's food unique.
If humility and joy can shine through a book, then Cook Real Hawaii has achieved that. Sheldon's simple storytelling and well-researched ( and at times, complex) recipes showcase a Hawaii a world away from the commonly held image of pineapple pizza and poi.
Cook Real Hawaii is a book that should find its way into every true cook/food lover's home , and while it certainly will look good on a coffee table, our guess is it isn't leaving the kitchen..
Publishing date is March 30th. pre-order here.