Obsessed with the Best

A charmingly obsessive guide to finding the "absolute best" version of the foods we love.

When food writer Ella Quittner (creator of Food52's "Absolute Best Tests") cooks, she doesn’t just follow a recipe—she interrogates it. In this meticulously tested collection, Ella walks you through 24 head-to-head experiments to help you find the perfect method for your specific palate.

From travel-inspired meatballs to flaky Alabama-style biscuits, discover more than 100 recipes grounded in minimalist techniques that maximize flavor. Equal parts precise culinary science and witty personal essay, Obsessed with the Best is an essential resource for anyone who has ever spiraled into a rabbit hole in search of the perfect roast chicken or a truly foolproof buttercream. 

Named a Best Cookbook of 2026 by Bon Appétit and Food & Wine

100+ recipes and 24 head-to-head method tests

Hardcover | 382 pages