We were sent a cute cookbook for video games fans called The Video Game Chef, by Cassandra Reeder, aka The Geeky Chef. It features 76 easy- to-make recipes inspired by popular video games from the 80s to now.

In the book, she recreates health boosts, potions, level-ups and cooking challenges found in video games. There’s an amazing amount of food in video games to choose from. You could get an entire cookbook out of Legend of Zelda alone.

Some of the recipes that can be found in the book:

• The Legend of Zelda’s Red Potion
• Streets of Rage 2’s Trash Can Chicken
• Resident Evil’s Jill Sandwich
• Silent Hill 2’s Butter Cake
• World of Warcraft’s Smoked Desert Dumplings
• Cooking Mama’s Spaghetti Neapolitan
• Minecraft’s Suspicious Stew
• Final Fantasy XV’s Kenny’s Original Recipe

An Illustrated Cookbook

Each recipe features an illustration done in video game style to fit with the theme of the book. I admit, I’d rather it be real food photos, because that’s one thing that usually sells me on making a recipe. The illustrations are cute, but they don’t quite convey the final product the way I want to see it.

Apparently, this is something the author has run into before, as the most recent post on her @geeky_chef Instagram talks about why she went with the illustrated images The Video Game Chef, and how they are all based on photos of the actual finished dish. In her own words, “They give the book a unique look and personality that hopefully invokes all the joy and nostalgia of gaming.”

She also posted photos showing the actual dishes the illustrations were based on.

Overall, it’s a cute idea for a cookbook, and it would make a great gift for any video game fan that likes to cook.

Reeder also has published several other geeky cookbooks, including one inspired by The Princess Bride!

Click here to check out the Video Game Chef on Amazon

The Connection Between Cooking and Gaming

Cooking and video games have formed a unique connection that intertwines two seemingly unrelated hobbies. This fusion has given rise to a new genre of cookbooks and culinary experiences inspired by the fantastical worlds of video games. Video game enthusiasts have embraced the opportunity to recreate virtual dishes in real life, bringing a touch of the gaming realm into their kitchens.

The concept of cooking in video games is no longer limited to mere sustenance for characters. It has evolved into a pivotal gameplay element, enabling gamers to craft intricate recipes, brew potions, and concoct magical elixirs. The emergence of these in-game culinary activities has fueled the desire for real-life interpretations, leading to the creation of themed cookbooks such as The Video Game Chef.

The link between cooking and video games extends beyond just the act of preparing food. It encompasses a sense of nostalgia, creativity, and artistic expression. Gamers and culinary fans alike revel in the opportunity to merge their passions, resulting in a delightful synergy of flavors and fandom. As a result, the connection between cooking and video games continues to inspire innovative recipes and a community that celebrates the intersection of these two worlds.

About the Author

Candy Keane is a digital content creator and long-time cosplayer, most well-known for being on the cover of the Star Wars documentary Jedi Junkies. After making costumes professionally for over a decade, she now writes about geek culture and mom life, and continues to cosplay for fun, while sharing her love of costumes on Instagram @SewGeekMama. Her first children’s book, I’m Going to My First Comic Convention, was published in 2020 and won a Story Monsters Approved award for Excellence in Literature.

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