Cookstr is a large resource for people that love to cook. Here, visitors can find recipes taken from popular cookbooks created by famous chefs. The site presents a featured cookbook author and recipe of the day on the homepage to get new users started. Users can search Cookstr by chef name, ingredient, or recipe name. By visiting the Recipes page, the user can explore a diverse collection of categories to find the perfect dish. The categories include ingredient like chicken, turkey, and beef, as well as ethnicities, preparation method, chef and holidays or special occasions. Each recipe is provided with all the necessary information as well as a mouth watering photo of the finished dish.

Visit www.cookstr.com

Cookstr was founded by Will Schwalbe in New York City in 2008. The basis for Cookstr’s many recipes and features was focused on the belief that “real food is for everyone.” The creators felt that anyone can enjoy good home cooking. The site was intended to bring tasty recipes and information about cooking to the average person in a way that was engaging and enticing.

There are many recipe databases out there. They are very easy to find, so why is Cookstr different? Cookstr seems to hold recipes to a higher standard. Each is presented with a full color image, a vital tool that many recipes on the internet lack. The site also focuses on famous, skilled chefs that have produced some of the most delicious recipes available. Cookstr users can find free recipes, just like they an through any database, but they are enjoying recipes that come with a higher standard of quality.

It is easy to see how users can become engrossed in Cookstr. The website is well organized, presenting a good amount of information in a way that is easy to read. Many items are highlighted by a color image, which is a great way to get people interested in food. From refreshing beverages to fresh fruit and holiday delicacies, the photographs included on Cookstr provide plenty of allure to convince a user to check out the rest of the site and maybe even try a few recipes.

A new user that would like to create a Cookstr account can do so by clicking the small, light grey “Sign Up” button in the top right hand corner of the screen. It is a little difficult to spot at first but it is there, under the red Cookstr banner. Clicking the button will direct the user to the registration form. The form requires a valid email address, username, password and zip code.

To remain attractive to users and competitive, anyone can enjoy Cookstr for free. The site doesn’t offer any features that really warrant a paid subscription, especially considering just how many free recipe databases there are available on the internet. Users can quickly create their account, which includes a subscription to the Cookstr weekly newsletter. The newsletter features ten recipes and authors every week. Unfortunately for anyone who doesn’t want to receive the newsletter, there does not appear to be an opt out option.

Users who love to try new recipes and enjoy cooking can really get into Cookstr. The site has a wealth of recipes and lots of information with content based on famous chefs. Even the casual cook can find a new dish to experiment with on Cookstr. The site is easy to navigate, which makes it ideal for visitors of any tech level.

• Browse recipes by category listing
• Read through the Cookstr weekly newsletter, which includes ten recipes
• Learn about featured chefs and cookbook authors
• Stay up to date with the Cookstr blog
• Save favorite recipes and leave comments for other Cookstr users

Visit www.cookstr.com