Everyone is buzzing about Wishbone Kitchen's latest cookbook, so we decided to give it a try.

      **May 12, 2025**

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      Despite hailing from a family with notable culinary talents, my cooking skills are only average at best. I can whip up a decent quesadilla and follow a boxed cake recipe fairly well, but that's where my abilities end. Therefore, it may not surprise you to learn that I rarely buy cookbooks. That changed, however, when I heard that Meredith Hayden, the renowned chef behind Wishbone Kitchen, was releasing her own cookbook.

      I began following Hayden's Wishbone Kitchen account on TikTok a few years ago and quickly became an admirer. I was captivated by her "Day in My Life as a Private Chef in the Hamptons" videos and envious of the stunning meals she prepared. As a long-time fan, I eagerly seized the opportunity to purchase her cookbook so that I could attempt to recreate those recipes in my kitchen and pretend I’m not the type of person who uses jarred garlic (a big no-no, according to Hayden).

      Below, I share my candid review of The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook and my experience making some of Hayden's most popular recipes.

      **About Meredith Hayden and Wishbone Kitchen**

      Hayden did not always intend to become an internet culinary sensation. In 2019, she was balancing a full-time advertising sales job at Vogue with culinary school in the evenings. However, after being furloughed from her 9-to-5, she seized the opportunity to fully pursue her culinary aspirations. She launched Wishbone Kitchen to promote her private chef business while sharing recipes, kitchen advice, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her cooking gigs on Instagram, TikTok, and her website.

      Things took off when one of Hayden’s Day In The Life TikTok videos went viral. Her chill demeanor, elevated yet approachable dishes, and calming kitchen ambiance won over viewers (myself included), and her follower count skyrocketed. She quickly became known for her grocery hauls from the Hamptons, luxe pasta recipes, and her fondness for Diet Coke.

      **My review of The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook**

      The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook is precisely what you would expect if you’ve visited Hayden’s TikTok page. It’s effortlessly stylish, a bit cheeky, and brimming with recipes that entice you to light a candle, pour a glass of wine, and elevate your Tuesday night dinner experience. The cookbook features a range of offerings: party-ready appetizers, vegetable-focused side dishes, surf-and-turf mains, desserts, and cocktails. I particularly appreciated that Hayden included curated menus for occasions ranging from birthday celebrations to summer clambakes at the end of the book. The entire cookbook is also beautifully presented, with vibrant illustrations and dreamy photographs that made me want to book a trip to Round Swamp Farm immediately (if you know, you know).

      The book begins with a guide to essential kitchen tools and necessary ingredients, which I found useful before diving into the recipes. To experience the cookbook, I tried three recipes: the famed Boyfriend Roast Chicken with Pan-Sauce Potatoes (one of Hayden's signature dishes), Olive Oil Cake with Peaches and Cream, and Boozy Blueberry Basil Lemonade.

      The Boyfriend Roast Chicken was by far the most intricate dish I’ve ever prepared but also the best meal I have ever made, according to both my fiancé and myself, making it worth the effort and the burn I sustained while cooking. I now fully understand why this dish isn’t for just anyone—it's a recipe meant to impress special guests. As for the olive oil cake, I was concerned it wouldn’t measure up to the one from my favorite local restaurant, but the outcome exceeded my expectations without being overly complicated. The cocktail was also straightforward to make (even with the added step of preparing my own blueberry jam) and was both delicious and refreshing.

      **Is The Wishbone Kitchen Cookbook worth it?**

      While some recipes were slightly advanced for my own culinary skill level and taste, the cookbook maintains a lighthearted tone. At times, I felt somewhat out of my element—for example, when I wasn’t sure about the difference between a saucepan and a pot or how to determine if something was “cooked until done”—but Hayden encourages readers to embrace mistakes and learn along the way. If you enjoy a challenge, wish to elevate your home cooking, or simply appreciate a beautifully styled meal, this cookbook is certainly worthy of a place on your counter.

      **ABOUT THE AUTHOR**

      Christine Winder, Contributing Wellness Writer

      Christine is a long-time reader who has become a contributing writer for Everygirl. She holds a BA in Communications from Roanoke College and resides with her two cats in Richmond, VA, where she writes for various local publications.