I heard a terrible rumor the other day that I hoped was not true, but I have just received confirmation and sadly I must report that Costco will no longer be giving away free Costco Cookbooks on Black Friday.
:…(
In the US, since 2003 Costco has given out a free The Costco Way cookbook to members who dared to brave the Black Friday crowds to shop. The cookbooks had hundreds of recipes from different Costco vendors all featuring various Costco items, and there were recipes for all types of meals and occasions.
The only place I venture out to on Black Friday is Coscto and I always looked forward to each years 200+ page, paperback cookbook. I am shocked and disappointed they have decided to discontinue this beloved tradition.
I reached out to Costco to ask why they chose to end the cookbook giveaway and I was told instead of distributing the cookbooks this year they have launched a new section in the Costco Connection Magazine called Farm to Table. This new section features seasonally available produce and recipes from Costco suppliers.
I flipped through the last few months of the Costco Connection magazine and sure enough starting with the September issue I found a section called Farm to Table. Well guess what? It’s just a bunch of photographs of produce and a couple of recipes. Between the September, October and November issues there is a grand total of 24 pages of Farm to Table, but only 11 total recipes, and grapes, tomatoes & citrus are featured items in ALL three months.
September 2015:
October 2015:
November 2015:
The only polite word that comes to mind to describe this is: LAME.
While this may be the end of an era, there is a small silver lining: all original 13 cookbooks in the series will live on in digital format on Costco.com.
Until next time,
the Costco Connoisseur
#GoingToAllTheCostcos
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That is weird. You have a picture of the 2015 Cookbook in your post. Why would they make a 2015 Cookbook and NOT give it out?
Hi! Thanks for your comment. Yes the way they "date" their cookbooks is a bit odd. The "2015" cookbook titled Fabulous Food The Costco Way (with the Medley Salad Rolls on the cover) was handed out last year in November 2014. They seem to refer to all of their cookbooks in this same manner: the cookbook handed out each year was referred to as the following year. I suppose because they wanted members to use them throughout the next year? I hope that helps explains!
Sad. About 10 of my girlfriends and I had a tradition of getting the Costco cookbook, and about a month later, scheduling an all-day feast at my house. Everyone made different recipes from the book. With husbands and kids there, too, we ususally had about 30 to 40 people, laughing, playing games, singing karaoke, and of course, eating. Costco even printed my email about it!
We went to the hassle of going to a Houston Costco today … Black Friday. There was a large line of people asking for a printed version of the Annual Cookbook, only to be told that there wasn't one … all online. How come Costco did NOT advertise this more to their "members"? The ONLY reason we went there this morning was for the cookbook, not worth the trouble otherwise unless you want a 1000" curved TV ! Most people there were only buying the normal daily items, certainly no big rush to flood the store with people … only 20 outside @ 9AM. Anyway, what a total disappointment…and something that Costco should have been more open to tell all their customers about; no need to visit on a Black Friday after this.
I went to the Costco in Duluth GA today (Black Friday) and was informed by 2 embarrassed
employees that Costco no longer gives out cookbook. The store seemed pretty empty, not
too much traffic. I did not have to wait for anybody on checkout. Sad.
Thanksgiving is the holiday for giving thanks and I sincerely want to "thank" Costco for remaining closed on Thanksgiving so their employees have the same opportunity to enjoy a great meal and spend quality time with friends and family. Please consider bringing back the Costco cookbook which has been a fun Thanksgiving tradition for so many of your members. "Thank You"
I too made a special trip to Costco to get a cookbook. What a disappointment. For the record, the first cookbook Costco gave away was a hardback, not paperback.
My local Costco also didn't have these today. The guys at the store didn't know anything other than that they hadn't received any. I didn't realize they'd stopped the series. It's too bad, as I've actually found the past years' books to be very good.
Costco is always closed during the holidays.
I went to a Houston Costco on BF specifically for the cookbook. No cookbook. I told them it's the only reason I came – and left without buying one thing on my list. I have Sam's and Costco equal distance from my house, with basically the same selection. That silly cookbook was the reason I dropped Sam's and went with Costco! Sad.
Sorry the hardback was not a giveaway, you had to buy it.
Yes I returned to Costco on Friday after shopping there on Wednesday specifically to get the cookbook. Very disappointed with Costco, I have always looked forward to getting it, and along with the change to Visa am reconsidering membership after eleven years. I respected them for being 'different'and being really member and employee oriented. Sad, end of a tradition.
I too went only for cookbook on BF. So bummed!!! Loved the cookbook! You would hope they would consider bringing it back, a little treat for the customers that they really enjoy!!
I also will miss the cookbook and went to Costco to get it on BF. I like having a "hard" copy of a cookbook to look at and make notes on the pages.
So sad right!? What a fun tradition you guys had. Maybe if enough of us let Costco know we miss the cook book they will bring it back next year. You can leave a comment on their Facebook page or in your warehouse. Thanks for reading my blog!
Wow what a bummer! I used to really look forward to Black Friday JUST to go to Costco for that cook book. Maybe if enough of us let Costco know we miss the cook book they will bring it back next year. You can leave a comment on their Facebook page or in your warehouse. Thanks for reading my blog!
thanks for your comment! I don't work for Costco, I am just a Costco enthusiast 🙂
Costco remaining closed on several major holidays is just one way Costco treats their employees really well. Thanks for reading my blog!
Its a complete disappointment. Maybe if enough of us let Costco know we miss the cook book they will bring it back next year. You can leave a comment on their Facebook page or in your warehouse. Thanks for reading my blog!
I asked employees at several different Costco's and I got a different answer from everyone i spoke with. It was very frustrating that not only had they discontinued the cook book giveaway but they didn't even properly inform their employees or their customers. Maybe if enough of us let Costco know we miss the cook book they will bring it back next year. You can leave a comment on their Facebook page or in your warehouse. Thanks for reading my blog!
Good for you! I too expressed my frustration & disappointment to Costco on Black Friday for discontinuing of the cookbook. Maybe if enough of us let Costco know we miss the cook book they will bring it back next year. You can leave a comment on their Facebook page or in your warehouse. Thanks for reading my blog!
Hi! Thanks for your comment. It's so disappointing and sad. Maybe if enough of us let Costco know we miss the cook book they will bring it back next year. You can leave a comment on their Facebook page or in your warehouse. Thanks for reading my blog!
Hi thanks for your comment! Maybe if enough of us let Costco know we miss the cook book they will bring it back next year. You can leave a comment on their Facebook page or in your warehouse. I have found they are very responsive when you leave comments on their Facebook page. Thanks for reading my blog!
Hi! Thanks for your comment.Yes the hard copy is superior to any online or digital version! I like to jot down notes too like the date each time I make a recipe and any adjustments I make to the recipe. Maybe if enough of us let Costco know we miss the cook book they will bring it back next year. You can leave a comment on their Facebook page or in your warehouse. I have found they are very responsive when you leave comments on their Facebook page. Thanks for reading my blog!
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I still remember that last year the cookbook did not come out right after Black Friday. It was at least a week or two until it was available at my local Costco stores. Perhaps it was a bad omen that it would be the last annual issue…
I still remember that last year the cookbook did not come out right after Black Friday. It was at least a week or two until it was available at my local Costco stores. Perhaps it was a bad omen that it would be the last annual issue…