How does a leaving book work for a team?

One person organises and shares the link. Everyone adds a recipe and a message, and it is printed as a single book to hand over on their last day.

How long does it take to put together?

Work back from the date: most organisers give contributors 2-4 weeks, and printing and delivery take 7-10 working days once you approve the layout. About six weeks is comfortable; less is possible if people reply quickly.

What about the people who do not cook?

They contribute the takeaway, the office birthday cake, or the thing they genuinely make. The recipe matters less than the message next to it.

Can we add photos and messages as well as recipes?

Yes - each contributor can add a photo and a note alongside their recipe, and you can add a cover image and an introduction page for the whole book.

A leaving-gift cookbook held open at Mark's Charred Lemon Chicken and Tim's Smoky Bean Stew, each with a photo of the friends who sent them

For the colleague, friend or teammate moving on

Send them off with something they will actually use

Gather recipes from everyone in the team - a book that captures their colleagues' favourite meals, the after-work dinners and the people who made it worth turning up.

From AED 195 Rated 5 out of 5 by our customers 7-10 working days

Start the leaving cookbook See what's inside →

Free to start
No minimum order
No account needed for contributors

Tanya

★★★★★

“We gave this the night before the wedding and the bride cried. Every recipe came with a little personal note about why it was special. It was passed around and everyone wanted to see their contribution and what others had added. It was such a personal gift.”

The review

Rating: 5 out of 5
For: Wedding gift

1 of 2

Why it works as a leaving gift

A leaving gift cookbook is something different - not a voucher, not a mug. Everyone in the team adds a recipe and a note and it all comes together as a hardback the person leaving can take with them and keep forever. Works just as well for a colleague, a friend moving away or anyone deserving of a proper send-off.

From everyone, not just one person: Each contributor adds a recipe and a personal note. The result is a gift that reflects the whole group, not just whoever remembered to buy something.
Something to take to the new chapter: Whether they are moving cities, or changing careers, a cookbook travels with them and keeps the memories alive.
Far more personal than a card: A professionally bound book full of recipes and notes from the people they will miss.

A cookbook open at a chicken tikka masala recipe beside a photo of three friends laughing together

What goes inside

Ingredients

Recipes from the whole group
Personal notes & well-wishes
Shared memories & in-jokes
Photos from the time together
A personal dedication page
Your chosen cover design

Method

Gather the recipes. Add your own, or send one link so family and friends can add theirs. About five minutes each, and no account needed.
Choose a cover and size. Every page is laid out for you, with chapters, a contents page and an index.
Check every page, then approve. You see the whole book before anything goes to print.
Printed and delivered. Bound professionally and delivered gift-ready, usually 7-10 working days after you approve it.

Start the leaving cookbook

Look inside Margaret's Tea Breaks

Turn the pages of a sample. Yours can include your recipes, notes and photos, in a design you choose.

Front cover of Margaret's Tea Breaks: thirty-one years of recipes, with love from everyone at Elm Road Surgery

Pages 1 of 8

Dear Margaret: a leaving letter from everyone at Elm Road

Contents: The Biscuit Tin and Bring-and-Share

Chapter opener: The Biscuit Tin - everything that ever went in it

Lemon Meringue Pie, contributed by Priya, practice nurse, with a photo of a slice

Lemon Meringue Pie ingredients and method, with Priya's tip

Almond Oat Biscuits, contributed by Sandra, reception

Chocolate Hazelnut Bundt, contributed by Dr Hollis

Chapter opener: Bring-and-Share - from staff lunches, team suppers and the odd Christmas do

Mushroom & Sage Pappardelle, contributed by Dr Owen

Tomato & Basil Tart, contributed by Bev, practice manager

Back cover: The kettle will miss you - happy retirement, Margaret

Page 1 of 12

Cover design inspiration

A few directions a cover can take. Every book starts from a professionally designed template, and the colours, fonts and layout are all yours to change.

Nordic
Catalogue

Dates skip weekends but not bank holidays, and delivery times are estimates.

Common questions

How does a leaving book work for a team?: One person organises and shares the link. Everyone adds a recipe and a message, and it is printed as a single book to hand over on their last day.
How long does it take to put together?: Work back from the date: most organisers give contributors 2-4 weeks, and printing and delivery take 7-10 working days once you approve the layout. About six weeks is comfortable; less is possible if people reply quickly.
What about the people who do not cook?: They contribute the takeaway, the office birthday cake, or the thing they genuinely make. The recipe matters less than the message next to it.
Can we add photos and messages as well as recipes?: Yes - each contributor can add a photo and a note alongside their recipe, and you can add a cover image and an introduction page for the whole book.

Organise the leaving book

Takes minutes to set up · invites sent to the whole group automatically

From AED 195