Cookbook Love Podcast

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today's episode is for the chef, the dietitian, the culinary professional who has a cookbook in them, and who has also been told that getting published means getting on TikTok. If you've ever had your teenager laugh at you for trying to "be on camera," or quietly wondered whether your cookbook dream is dead simply because you refuse to perform for an algorithm, this episode is for you. In this episode, we discuss: What publishers actually mean when they say "platform" and why it's not what you think The real difference between building trust and chasing an algorithm Why your years of professional expertise may already be your biggest advantage Whether it's really too late to start building an audience today A different way to think about "platform" that doesn't involve a single dance move If you're a dietitian, chef, or culinary professional who wants to publish a cookbook with a traditional publishing house, I invite you to join my upcoming Grow Your Audience masterclass. You'll learn how to build an audience publishers value, without relying on social media algorithms, by creating a community, sharing your message, and testing cookbook ideas with the people who will eventually become your readers. Mentioned in This Episode: Register for the Grow Your Cookbook Audience class

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today, I'm joined by Dora Ramirez. Dora Ramirez didn't set out to reinvent Mexican cuisine. She wanted to uncover the stories, ingredients, and traditions that were already there. Before we get started: If you're a dietitian, chef, or culinary professional who wants to publish a cookbook with a traditional publishing house, I invite you to join my upcoming Grow Your Audience masterclass. You'll learn how to build an audience publishers value — without relying on social media algorithms — by creating a community, sharing your message, and testing cookbook ideas with the people who will eventually become your readers. Register for upcoming Grow Your Cookbook Audience class In today's episode, I talk with Dora about the journey behind Comida Casera: More Than 100 Vegan Recipes from Traditional to Modern Mexican Dishes, her James Beard Award-winning cookbook celebrating the indigenous roots and plant-based traditions of Mexican cuisine. Born in Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila, Mexico, Dora came to the United States to attend the Culinary Institute of America before building a career as a chef, recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator. Her cookbook grew from a desire to share a deeper story about Mexican food — one centered on history, culture, and the ingredients that have shaped the cuisine for generations. In this episode, we discuss: How Dora transformed her personal experience and culinary background into a unique cookbook concept Why Comida Casera focuses on uncovering indigenous Mexican plant-based foundations rather than simply adapting recipes How she documented recipes and stories from indigenous cooks across Mexico The thought process behind organizing a cookbook as a journey through Mexican culinary traditions What it was like to see her nearly three-year cookbook project recognized with a James Beard Award Dora also shares her new online cookbook club, where she explores historical Mexican cookbooks and brings their recipes and stories to a new audience. Dora's story is also a reminder that a cookbook begins long before the manuscript is written. It starts with understanding your unique perspective, knowing the story you want to share, and building a community of readers who care about your work. If you're a dietitian, chef, or culinary professional who wants to publish a cookbook with a traditional publishing house, I invite you to join my upcoming Grow Your Audience masterclass. You'll learn how to build an audience publishers value — without relying on social media algorithms — by creating a community, sharing your message, and testing cookbook ideas with the people who will eventually become your readers. Mentioned in This Episode: Register for upcoming Grow Your Cookbook Audience class Dora Ramirez Comida Casera by Dora Ramirez

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today, I'm joined by Sarah Trad, author of A House in the Lebanese Mountains: Recipes and Stories from Beit Trad. Before we get started, I'd love your help. I'm creating a brand-new class for aspiring cookbook authors who want to build the audience publishers are looking for. If you've ever wondered how to grow your visibility, connect with future readers, or strengthen your cookbook proposal before pitching publishers, I'd love to hear what questions you want answered. I've put together a quick, two-question survey, and your feedback will help shape the class. If you'd like to be the first to know when enrollment opens, you can leave your name and email at the end of the survey. Now, let's meet Sarah. Sarah is the founder of Beit Trad, a beautifully restored guest house in the Lebanese mountains, and the author of A House in the Lebanese Mountains. In our conversation, we discuss: How restoring her family's ancestral home inspired a cookbook that preserves recipes, culture, and family history. Why hospitality, generosity, and gathering around the table become even more meaningful during times of conflict. The thoughtful process of creating a cookbook that is both visually stunning and approachable for home cooks. What cookbook authors can learn about creating a lasting legacy through food and storytelling. Mentioned in This Episode: Survey for upcoming class Beit Trad Sarah Trad on Instagram Recettes Faciles by Françoise Bernard Books by Trish Deseine

What do comedy and death have to do with cookbook writing? In this episode, Maggie talks with comedian and first-generation Greek American Gus Constantellis about his debut cookbook, My Mom's Greek Recipes. Their conversation explores far more than recipes. It touches on storytelling, vulnerability, family traditions, grief, and the unexpected journey from writing a cookbook without a publisher to signing a traditional book deal. Whether you're writing a cookbook, preserving family recipes, or wondering how personal stories can strengthen your work, this episode offers both inspiration and practical insight. In this episode, you'll discover: Why Gus wrote his cookbook before he had a publishing contract and how that decision led to a book deal. How humor and vulnerability can make cookbook stories more meaningful. What preserving family recipes can mean for future generations. Why authentic storytelling is often what readers remember most. Mentioned in This Episode: ConstantlyGus.com Yiayia cookbook Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

What can traditional drinking rituals teach us about writing a cookbook that celebrates culture and community? Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I sit down with Irene Yoo, food writer, recipe developer, and co-owner of Orion Bar in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Irene shares how she translated the vibrant world of Korean hospitality into her James Beard Award-winning cookbook, Soju Party: How to Drink and Eat Like a Korean . Our conversation explores why the most impactful cookbooks do more than list ingredients. They act as visual cultural statements, honor culinary heritage, and bring people together across generations. In this episode, you'll learn: How Irene navigated the emotions of winning a James Beard Award. Why structuring a cookbook to mirror a real-life experience, like a progressive night out, creates a deeply engaging reader journey. What the essential pillars of Korean drinking culture, from table-side bomb shots to the non-negotiable rule of Anju, teach us about hospitality and sharing meals and drinks. How collaborating with family members on recipes, book design, and illustrations can turn a standard recipe book into a treasured work of art. Whether you're dreaming of writing your first cookbook or looking for creative ways to structure your culinary manuscript, this conversation will inspire you to think beyond the plate. Every dish has a cultural heartbeat, and those rituals are often what readers treasure long after the final round is poured. Ready to turn your cookbook idea into a concept publishers will notice? Download our Cookbook Concept Map and discover how to shape your expertise, recipes, and stories into a compelling cookbook concept.

What can vintage cookbooks teach us about writing a cookbook readers will treasure? Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I sit down with Bobby Hicks, creator of Retro Recipes Kitchen and author of Retro Recipes: Vintage Dishes with a Modern Twist. Bobby shares how he combined his background as a videographer with his love of vintage recipes to build Retro Recipes Kitchen. This social media brand eventually led to a traditional cookbook deal. Our conversation explores why the most memorable cookbooks offer more than recipes. They preserve culture, spark nostalgia, and invite readers to gather around the table. In this episode, you'll learn: How Bobby transformed his videography skills into Retro Recipes Kitchen and, ultimately, a traditionally published cookbook. Why the stories behind recipes are often what readers remember most. What food history can teach cookbook authors about creating a lasting legacy. How nostalgia and hospitality can make your cookbook more meaningful to readers. Whether you're dreaming of writing your first cookbook or looking for ways to make your recipes more meaningful, this conversation will inspire you to think beyond the ingredients. Every recipe has a story, and those stories are often what readers remember long after the meal is over. Ready to turn your cookbook idea into a concept publishers will notice? Download this Cookbook Concept Map and discover how to shape your expertise, recipes, and stories into a compelling cookbook concept that publishers will love.

What does it really cost to go from dreaming about writing a cookbook to signing a book deal? Many aspiring cookbook authors assume they need a large budget, professional photography equipment, or significant upfront investments before they can pursue publication. In this episode, I break down the actual costs of writing and publishing a cookbook with a traditional publisher and explain why the most important investments are often not financial at all. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why many of the key steps in the traditional publishing process, from writing and pitching a proposal to signing a book deal, can cost little to nothing out of pocket. • Which expenses are optional, and how publishers often cover many of these costs. • The real investment behind every successful cookbook project. If you've been wondering whether writing a cookbook is financially out of reach, this episode offers a different perspective. While every publishing journey requires effort and dedication, the path from cookbook dream to book deal may be more accessible than you think. Ready to turn your cookbook idea into a concept publishers will notice? Download my free Cookbook Concept Map and discover how to shape your expertise, recipes, and stories into a compelling cookbook concept. https://www.cookbookwritersacademy.com/conceptmap

The James Beard Awards are often called the "Oscars of the Food World," recognizing excellence in culinary arts, food writing, and cookbook publishing. In this episode, we celebrate three remarkable Cookbook Love Podcast guests whose books were honored by the James Beard Foundation this year and explore why cookbook awards matter so much in the culinary world. In This Episode: • Discover what makes cookbook awards such as the James Beard Awards influential in the publishing and culinary industries. • Celebrate Sapna Punjabi, author of Dal Chawal, a James Beard Award nominee whose work highlights the nourishing power of vegetarian home-style Indian cooking and Ayurvedic wellness. • Learn how Sarah Ahn and Nam Soon Ahn transformed family recipes and Korean-American culinary traditions into Umma, the James Beard Award winner for U.S. Foodways. • Hear why Helen Goh's Baking and the Meaning of Life captured the James Beard Award for Baking and Desserts through its unique blend of baking, psychology, and human connection. Cookbooks do more than teach recipes. They preserve culture, share wisdom, build community, and tell stories that shape how we understand food and one another. Mentioned in This Episode: Episode 347 with Sapna Punjabi, author of Dal Chawal Episode 348 with Sarah Ahn and Nam Soon Ahn, authors of Umma Episode 391 with Helen Goh, author of Baking and the Meaning of Life Episode 215 All About Cookbook Public Relations with Carrie Bachman If you're ready to build the visibility and audience publishers are looking for, download the free Cookbook Author Platform Checklist and learn how to create an engaged community that supports your book before it's published.

In Episode 393, I discussed how an author platform is not just about visibility or follower count but something far more foundational. Since then, I keep thinking about this idea that a platform is not only something you build for publishing, but it is something that is actively forming you as an author while you build it. Today, I want to explore something that is still deeply misunderstood by many aspiring cookbook authors: what a platform actually does beyond getting you noticed. Because while publishers do care about platform, the real question is not whether your platform is big enough, it's what your platform is shaping you into over time. In this episode, you'll discover: Why a platform is less about visibility and more about forming real relationships with readers that shape your cookbook concept and voice How consistent engagement with readers sharpens your message through real-world feedback, not guesswork The unexpected way a platform builds confidence by replacing self-doubt with real evidence that your work matters Why your platform begins creating opportunities for you - speaking, teaching, collaborations - before you ever "pitch" anything If this episode helped you rethink your platform, I created a simple, practical tool to help you see what you already have, what's working, and what's missing. Download the Cookbook Author Platform Checklist

Most aspiring cookbook authors believe they need more time before they can start writing. But what if the real challenge isn't time at all? Today, in this episode, I share a powerful mindset shift that has helped hundreds of cookbook writers move from "someday" to steady progress. You learn why waiting for a quieter season rarely works and how creating simple, repeatable containers for your writing can help you gain momentum even in the middle of a busy life. In This Episode You Discover: How to stop waiting for more time and start using the time you already have Why cookbook projects stall when they live in the margins of your schedule The three essential elements of a productive writing container How small, repeatable writing sessions can help you build momentum and finish your cookbook project Whether you're balancing work, family, caregiving, retirement, or a growing business, this episode will help you see new possibilities for moving your cookbook forward. Ready to Get Clear on Your Cookbook? If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and create a realistic plan for writing your cookbook, schedule a complimentary Cookbook Clarity Conversation. Book Your Cookbook Clarity Conversation We'll discuss your cookbook idea, where you are in the process, what's been holding you back, and the next best step to help you move forward. If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend who has been saying, "I want to write a cookbook someday." Things We Mention in This Episode: Book Your Cookbook Clarity Conversation

Welcome to another episode of Cookbook Love Podcast, Register for the How to Master Cookbook Design and Photography Workshop If you want to understand what publishers are really looking for before they say yes to a cookbook this is the show for you. In this episode, I share why recipes and beautiful photography are not always the deciding factor in getting a book deal and introduce a special live workshop on cookbook design and photography taught by a senior art director from a major cookbook publisher. If you've ever wondered who handles the visuals, what publishers expect from authors, and how to communicate your creative vision professionally, this episode is for you. During the show, I breaks down the real reasons some cookbook authors land publishing deals while others struggle to get traction. She shares the five things publishers care most about when evaluating cookbook proposals and explains the difference between what publishers want and what readers want in a cookbook. In this episode: The five things publishers look for before investing in a cookbook Why recipes alone rarely sell a cookbook proposal The truth about photography, design, and publisher expectations How to position yourself as a cookbook author that publishers want to work with Register for the How to Master Cookbook Design and Photography Workshop Baking for Two Episode 345 with Steph Pixley

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today on the show I present an interview with Sheldon Simeon about his new cookbook, Ohana Style. Born and raised in Maui, Sheldon is a chef, restaurateur, husband, father, and former Top Chef competitor. Alongside his wife Tiffany, he owns Tiffany's and Tin Roof Maui. In this conversation, Sheldon shares the deeper meaning of "ohana" and how the spirit of hospitality, family, and community shaped both his life and his cooking. Listeners will hear: The difference between indigenous Hawaiian cuisine and plantation-era immigrant influences Why Sheldon wanted the cookbook to feel approachable and welcoming Stories about his father, Papa Ray, and the community cookbook influence behind many recipes Creative techniques for building smoky flavor and layered texture at home Plant-based alternatives inspired by traditional Hawaiian dishes The inspiration behind recipes like Papa Ray's Tuna Patties, Furikake Animal Crackers, Pork Belly Tocino, and Mandarin Microwave Mochi Sheldon also talks about growing up in a house where people constantly gathered around food and how those experiences shaped his understanding of generosity and connection. This episode is a reminder that cookbooks are about more than recipes. They preserve stories, culture, memory, and belonging. Things We Mention in This Episode: Chef Sheldon Simeon

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Before we get started, the doors are now open for Cookbook Writing Foundations for a very limited time, my new program for aspiring cookbook authors who want to move from cookbook idea to clear direction. Inside the program, I'll help you stop sitting on your cookbook idea and finally begin building it with confidence. Whether you want to preserve family recipes, share your expertise, grow your business, or create something meaningful to pass on, this program will help you make the decisions and take the steps that move cookbook projects forward. Visit Cookbook Writers Academy to learn more and enroll before the doors close. Today on the show, I have an interview with Domenica Marchetti, author of nine cookbooks, including her newest release, Italian Cookies. In this conversation, Domenica shares the story behind researching and writing a cookbook dedicated to the cookie traditions of all 20 regions of Italy. We talk about the bakery visits, travel experiences, regional specialties, and cultural traditions that shaped the book, as well as the creative process of developing and testing recipes inspired by generations of Italian bakers. In this episode, we discuss: How Domenica researched cookie traditions across all regions of Italy What bakery visits and travel taught her about recipe development and storytelling Her journey from newspaper journalism to becoming a nine-time cookbook author Why consistency, observation, and decision-making matter in cookbook writing The connection between food traditions, culture, and community Things We Mention in This Episode: Domenica Cooks Italian Cookies Learn more about Cookbook Writing Foundations Program

Welcome to Episode 400 of the Cookbook Love Podcast! If you've been thinking about writing a cookbook, collecting recipes, organizing ideas, or waiting for the right time to begin, I invite you to join my free masterclass happening now: Stop Dreaming About Writing a Cookbook, Start with a Clear Plan. Inside the class, I'll walk you through the decisions that actually move cookbook projects forward so you can stop circling the idea and start building your book with clarity and direction. If writing a cookbook has been on your heart for a while, this is a chance to take a real next step. Learn more and register at: Cookbook Writers Academy In this special episode, I'm reflecting on one of the biggest lessons I've learned after 400 episodes talking with cookbook writers, authors, and aspiring creators. I'm sharing what I've seen over and over again about what actually gets a cookbook written and published and why the difference is often not talent, timing, or opportunity, but willingness. If you've been thinking about writing a cookbook but keep waiting for more time, more clarity, or the "right" moment, this episode is for you. I talk about the difference between feeling ready and deciding to begin, the quiet ways we stay in preparation mode, and how repetition and consistency are what truly move projects forward. In this episode, I share: Why willingness matters more than readiness What 400 episodes taught me about consistency and follow-through The subtle ways we delay the projects we care about most The story of finally submitting my first cookbook proposal Why creating space and structure matters if you want your cookbook to happen If you've been thinking about writing a cookbook, collecting recipes, organizing ideas, or waiting for the right time to begin, I invite you to join my free masterclass happening now: Stop Dreaming About Writing a Cookbook, Start with a Clear Plan. Inside the class, I'll walk you through the decisions that actually move cookbook projects forward so you can stop circling the idea and start building your book with clarity and direction. If writing a cookbook has been on your heart for a while, this is a chance to take a real next step. Learn more and register at: Cookbook Writers Academy

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I'm talking with Katherine Anderson, owner of The London Plane, a restaurant, flower shop, and bakery that became a meaningful community gathering space. When The London Plane closed in 2023, Katherine chose not to let the story end there. In this conversation, we talk about the vision behind her book, The London Plane Flower and Cook Book, created to capture the spirit of the space and preserve what it meant to so many people. Inside this episode: How the restaurant, flower shop, and bakery came together to create a one-of-a-kind collaborative experience The decision to document and carry forward the space after its closure in 2023 What it looked like to include seasonal recipes, including dishes inspired by flowers, alongside the restaurant's chef's contributed recipes Katherine's self-publishing journey and her perspective for aspiring cookbook authors This episode is a reminder that a cookbook can become a lasting expression of a place while holding its spirit, its creativity, and the community it gathered.

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I talk about why your cookbook can feel like it's not going anywhere, even when you're actively working on it—and how a lack of direction underneath the work creates hidden costs that most people don't see at first. In this episode, I talk about: • Why recipe writing, organizing, and planning can still feel like you're not making progress • The hidden costs of working without a clear direction for your cookbook • How lack of direction affects time, money, momentum, and decision-making • Why everything feels important when there's no clear publishing path guiding your choices If your cookbook feels like it's stuck in motion but not actually taking shape, this episode will help you see what's really happening underneath the surface. You're not stuck because you're not working enough—you're stuck because your work doesn't yet have a clear direction to move in. If you want help turning your ideas into a cookbook—and getting paid to do it— join our waitlist for the next cohort of Get Paid to Get Published

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. In this episode, I'm sharing something personal. There's a lot of conversation right now about AI. How to use it, how to move faster, how to generate more. And while I do use it in certain ways, I've found myself coming back to something very different that is not faster or more. In this episode, I walk you through the rhythm I've developed to support how I think, write, and cook. These are simple practices I return to every day and every week, not as a system, but as a way of staying connected to my work. Over time, this rhythm has helped me think more clearly, make decisions more easily, and stay present in the process of writing. If you've been feeling scattered, stuck, or disconnected from your cookbook project, this episode will give you a grounded place to return to. In this episode, I talk about: The daily practices that help me think clearly What supports creative thinking and decision-making The role of daily and weekly rhythms in staying creatively fueled What it looks like to build a rhythm that supports your work In the end, writing a cookbook and running a business isn't just about the book or the business. It's about your life while you create while working on and in them. If you want help turning your ideas into a cookbook—and getting paid to do it— join our waitlist for the next cohort of Get Paid to Get Published .

In this episode, I'm joined by chef, author, and vintage curator Spring Council to talk about her beautiful new book Southern Roots. Spring spent over 50 years working in her family's restaurant, Mama Dip's Kitchen, where she learned firsthand how food creates connection, community, and lasting memories. In our conversation, we talk about how that experience shaped her cookbook — from the stories she tells to the recipes she creates — and what it really looks like to bring a book like this to life. In this episode, we talk about: What "Mama Dip's University" taught her about food, people, and hospitality How Southern Roots blends storytelling with recipes Her path through writing, rejection, and finding her voice How she develops recipes that honor tradition while making them her own The role of community in both her restaurant life and her cookbook If you love cookbooks that feel personal, meaningful, and grounded in real experience, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. If you want help turning your ideas into a cookbook—and getting paid to do it— join our waitlist for the next cohort of Get Paid to Get Published

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I'm excited to have an interview with Hannah Dasher. Hannah is a country music artist, creator, and author of Stand By Your Pan. Hannah built a loyal audience during quarantine by sharing nostalgic, personality-filled cooking videos—and has now turned that visibility into a cookbook rooted in Southern food, storytelling, and style. In this conversation, we talk about how her online presence shaped her book, the recipes and traditions behind it, and the practical techniques that bring her cooking to life. In this episode, we discuss: How Hannah's TikTok content grew into a cookbook Building a cooking brand through personality and nostalgia Recipes inspired by family, viral moments, and Southern traditions Stock your kitchen (bones, fats, and fresh ingredients) Practical cooking tips—from tomato pie to fried chicken livers to ham stock Why preserving recipes and food traditions still matters If you've ever wondered how audience, voice, and recipes come together in a cookbook, this episode gives you a real example. If you want help turning your ideas into a cookbook—and getting paid to do it— join our waitlist for the next cohort of Get Paid to Get Published

What if your cookbook idea doesn't match your profession? In this episode, I'm talking about one of the most common and costly questions I hear from aspiring cookbook authors, especially experts like dietitians, chefs, and health professionals. Many people assume their cookbook needs to match their credentials. That it should sound serious, clinical, or highly technical to be taken seriously. But publishing doesn't work that way. Publishers are not buying credentials alone. They're looking for ideas readers care about and that often comes from something much more personal. In this episode, I share my own experience navigating this tension as a trained dietitian who wanted to write about seasonal home cooking in Kentucky. I also walk you through how cookbook deals actually work, and why the most compelling books combine both authority and humanity. If you've been holding back on a cookbook idea because it doesn't feel "professional enough," this episode will give you a new way to think about it. In this episode, you'll hear: Why do so many experts feel pressure to write the "right" kind of book What publishers are actually looking for when they acquire cookbooks The three common paths cookbook deals follow Why passion creates reader connection in a way that credentials alone can't How to combine your expertise with a story readers care about Your credentials matter. But they're not the whole story. The book you're meant to write might be the one you've been telling yourself you shouldn't. If you want to prepare your deal-ready pitch package and get paid to write a cookbook, join our waitlist for the next cohort of Get Paid to Get Published