COMP TITLES

Washoku References

Bento Picnic will be a departure from previous English-language books about Washoku because of its visually-gripping infographics. Through its emphasis on Washoku, Bento Picnic will invite readers to awaken their senses and creative abilities through the medium of food.

Menu-Based Cookbooks

Additionally, here are several titles whose recipes are grouped by menu — similarly to how we envision Bento Picnic will be. Please note that this is an increasingly popular way to format cookbooks, but there is little to no representation for English-language Asian cookbooks in this category yet. This is a niche that Bento Picnic strives to fill.

Perhaps not surprisingly, we find camaraderie in the design of this Japanese-language cookbook, からだがよろこぶ副菜, and we would love to help bring this clever aesthetic to the English-language cookbook market.

We especially love:

• The lay-flat binding!

• How Saito features dishes that can be served together across an enticing centerfold shot, and then lays out the recipes side-by-side on the following page.

• For more details see: Seibundo Shinkosha ● 2022/12 release

• We adore Worcel and Worcel’s detail-oriented layout and the way it empowers readers with the resources they need without causing them to reach a state of overwhelm. It’s such a delicate balance and they do a masterful job!

• Of course the food styling & full-color images in this 288-page hardcover book are visually stunning. We believe we could achieve an equally stunning, yet space-saving, aesthetic by listing recipes side by side, instead of dedicating one recipe per 2-page spread.

• We noted that Tables & Spreads features menus that run the gamut from ____ to ____, but there are no Asian menus.

• For more details see: Chronicle Books ● Publication Date: 05/04/2021

• This paperback folio specializing in vegetarian meal planning was first published in 1979 by the founder of New York’s Natural Gourmet Cookery School.

• Does not include any photographs, purely text and black & white drawings.

• Similarly, we want to help readers find their flow by providing tips for how to execute on complete menus in Bento Picnic, but we aspire to appeal to a more mainstream audience with full color photography, mouth-watering recipes, and sake pairings!

• For more details see: Penguin Random House ● Publication Date: 1979

Bento Box Cookbooks

Finally, here are some of the best bento cookbooks currently on the market. Please note that they are largely geared towards to-go lunches for kids. We see an opportunity to shine new light on bento boxes for adult audiences who want to expand their culinary repertoire.

JapanEasy Bowls & Bento by Tim Anderson, October 5, 2022, Hardie Grant London

This reference-style, all-in-one cookbook includes quick recipes intended to be stored and eaten later as well as custom illustrations demonstrating the tools needed to do so. What sets Bento Picnic apart is its attention to Washoku principles, its orientation towards elegant entertaining of guests in your home kitchen or outdoor patio, and its expertly-chosen saké pairings aligned specifically with each curated Bento meal.

Real Bento: Fresh and Easy Lunchbox Recipes from a Japanese Working Mom by Kanae Inoue, April 7, 2020, Tuttle Publishing

This collection of easy and affordable recipes is geared towards families with children who need healthy, quick lunches. Inoue explains her personal philosophy of Bento, includes a weekly prep schedule, and lists time-saving techniques. Though Bento Picnic is geared toward adult entertaining, it similarly discusses the philosophy of Washoku, offers prep notes for dinner parties, and includes plating recommendations.

Simply Bento: Delicious Box Lunch Ideas for Healthy Portions to Go by Yuko, Noriko, October 16, 2018, Race Point Publishing

This cookbook is designed for beginners with recipes that are easy to follow and contain ingredients found in most grocery stores. Though this book includes multiple recipes for each bento, they are located in different sections of the book and can be used interchangeably. Bento Picnic contains carefully-crafted recipes, as well as saké pairings, presented together in order to impress party guests with a unique and precise meal.