Good Lookin' Cookin': A Year of Meals - A Lifetime of Family, Friends, and Food

You’re invited to pull up a chair to a year of meals, friends, and fun with the Partons, as Dolly and her sister (and favorite cook) Rachel share beloved, crowd-pleasing recipes and family stories.

“Hey, good lookin’—what ya got cookin’?”

This is what Dolly Parton sings to her sister Rachel Parton George whenever she walks into her kitchen. It’s what you do when a love for good music and good food runs in the family. 

In Good Lookin’ Cookin’ Dolly and Rachel share tips for hosting events all year long, including twelve multi-course menus of cherished recipes for New Year’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and more. You’ll learn how much butter or whipped cream goes into a “Dolly Dollop,” what condiment is almost always on the table at Parton family meals, and what special dish Rachel makes at Dolly’s request every year for her birthday. Recipes include American classics such as Country Ham and Biscuits, Barbecue Spare Ribs, Family Favorite Meatloaf, Slaw of Many Colors, Watermelon Fruit Salad, Mac and Cheese, and Strawberry Shortcake.

Filled with more than 80 delicious dishes as well as photographs of Dolly and Rachel cooking and hosting all year long, Good Lookin’ Cookin’ is a treasured cookbook that will make you feel like part of the Parton family. With their trademark warmth and sisterly love, Dolly and Rachel remind you that cooking doesn’t need to be serious—it should be fun! And always good lookin’!

About the Author

Dolly Parton is the most honored and revered female singer-songwriter of all time. She has garnered 11 Grammy Awards and over 50 nominations, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. Achieving 27 Recording Industry Association of America gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards and certifications, she has had 26 songs reach the top of the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. Parton is a member of the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To date, she has donated more than 222 million books to children globally with her Imagination Library. With James Patterson, she co-authored the #1 New York Times bestseller Run Rose Run. She has also released the bestselling coffee table books Songteller and Behind the Seams. In 2023, her album Rockstar debuted at #1 on six Billboard charts, the biggest first-week sales debut of her seven-decade career.

Rachel Parton George is a star in her family’s kitchens—her sister Dolly will be the first to say so. The youngest of twelve children born into what proved to be a musical family from East Tennessee, she followed her siblings who—like Dolly—found their ways onto concert stages far and wide. In her teens she began performing as part of her family’s musical group, and became a songwriter in her own right. Other entertainment opportunities followed, including a starring role in the TV comedy 9 to 5, reprising her sister’s role from the movie of the same name. Retiring from performing to fulfill her desire to have and raise a family, Rachel is an essential member of her sister’s team, serving in an executive role that supplements various endeavors. An avid cook and self-professed collector of recipes and cookbooks, Rachel makes her home in Franklin, Tennessee.

Author Residence: Nashville, TN

Author Hometown: Sevierville, TN