Cookbook Love Podcast

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

Many aspiring cookbook authors believe they need a huge social media following before a publisher will take them seriously. But in traditional publishing, follower count alone is not what gets a cookbook deal. In this episode, I talk about what publishers are really looking for when they ask about your platform. They want to know whether you have real relationships with people who know you, trust you, engage with your work, and are likely to buy your book. I also share why writing, conversation, and proof of engagement matter so much more than chasing random followers. In this episode, I cover: Why follower count alone is not enough What publishers really want to know about your audience How to identify the people already in your world who would buy your book Why writing and relationship-building are essential for becoming a paid cookbook author If you've been feeling behind because your audience is not huge, this episode will help you focus on what actually matters. If you want to get paid to write a cookbook, join our waitlist for the next cohort of Get Paid to Get Published

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Most people think the outcome of writing a cookbook is the finished book, but I've seen something much bigger happen along the way. In this episode, I explore what really happens when we choose a meaningful creative challenge like writing a cookbook. Many cookbook writers I work with are already successful professionals: chefs, dietitians, coaches, and entrepreneurs who decide to write a book not because they have to, but because the work matters to them. I share the unexpected benefits I've seen from writing a cookbook, including identity shifts, creative discipline, professional credibility, community, and new opportunities. In this episode, I talk about: • Why writing a cookbook is a chosen challenge • How creative projects activate your agency and identity • Why hard work doesn't have to feel miserable • The deeper benefits that come from finishing a creative project Whether you're writing a cookbook, building a food business, or starting another creative project, this episode will help you see the deeper transformation that can happen when you commit to creating something meaningful. If you want to get paid to write a cookbook, join our waitlist for the next cohort of Cookbooks on KDP.

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today I'm excited to share a conversation with Helen Goh, the author of the beautiful new cookbook Baking and the Meaning of Life: How to Find Joy in 100 Recipes. Helen is widely known for her work as a recipe developer with Yotam Ottolenghi, co-authoring the New York Times bestselling books Sweet and Comfort. In this episode, we talk about her debut solo cookbook and the deeper meaning behind baking. Helen brings a unique perspective to the kitchen. In addition to her acclaimed baking work, she also maintains a psychotherapy practice. In her new book, she blends these two worlds—sharing not only wonderful recipes, but also reflections on why baking matters and how it can bring joy and meaning to everyday life. Drawing on her upbringing in Malaysia and Australia, as well as years of developing recipes with Ottolenghi, Helen shares both sweet and savory bakes that celebrate creativity, connection, and nourishment. In this episode, we talk about: • Helen's journey from recipe developer to writing her first solo cookbook • Her collaboration with Yotam Ottolenghi and what she learned along the way • The inspiration behind Baking and the Meaning of Life • How baking adds meaning to everyday moments • Why baking is about more than survival. It's about joy and connection • Highlights from the table of contents and some of the recipes in the book • Tips, techniques, and baking insights from Helen's years in professional kitchens Want to Get Paid to Write Your Cookbook? If you're dreaming about writing a cookbook, you might assume you need to finish the entire manuscript before approaching publishers. But in traditional publishing, cookbook authors are often paid an advance before they write the book. In my Get Paid to Write a Cookbook Masterclass, I teach the step-by-step process for positioning your cookbook idea so publishers can invest in it. You'll learn: • How traditional cookbook deals actually work • What publishers are looking for in cookbook ideas • The path to pitching a cookbook proposal with confidence Register here for the masterclass.

Many aspiring cookbook authors believe they need to finish writing their book before pitching it to publishers. It sounds logical — but it often leads to years of uncertainty, backtracking, and stalled momentum. In this episode, Maggie explains why traditional cookbook publishing is a process, not a guessing game, and how clarity — not a finished manuscript — is what leads to a book deal and an advance. You'll learn: • why publishers buy concepts, positioning, and authors — not finished manuscripts • how lack of clarity creates hesitation for agents and editors • the hidden trap of writing first and pitching later • what it means to become a deal-ready cookbook author • the three essentials needed to pursue a traditional cookbook deal If you've been thinking, "I'll finish the book and figure out publishing later," this episode will help you see a clearer path forward. 👉 Register for the free masterclass: Get Paid to Write a Cookbook and learn the step-by-step path to position your cookbook for a traditional deal and get paid before you write.

Today I'm excited to have an interview with Abby Cheshire. Abby is a private chef, culinary educator, and content creator best known for her social media presence as @abbyinthegalley. With experience cooking on luxury yachts and for private clients, Abby shares what it's really like to work as a chef from high-pressure yacht kitchens to immersive dinner events while teaching accessible global recipes and telling stories through food. Before we get started, I want to share a quick invitation. If you are a food, nutrition, or culinary expert — a chef, dietitian, food blogger, culinary educator, caterer, or passionate home cook with a message to share — and you want to understand what traditional publishers are looking for in 2026, I'd love to invite you to my upcoming masterclass: Get Paid to Write a Cookbook. In this class, you'll learn how to craft a viable cookbook concept that attracts agents and publishers, understand what publishers are looking for right now, and build three deal-ready essentials so you feel confident and prepared to pitch. If you're ready to stop guessing and gain a clear path to traditional publishing, you can register at https://www.cookbookwritersacademy.com/getpaidmasterclass. The link is also below in the show notes, and I would love to see you there. In my conversation with Abby, we talked about her experience cooking on luxury yachts, what it's like working as a private chef in high-pressure environments, and how she built a loyal audience by sharing the real behind-the-scenes life of a chef. We also discuss her new book, Passport to Flavor: 100 Global Dishes You Can Make Anywhere, and how she helps beginning cooks and adventurous eaters gain confidence cooking cuisines from around the world — right in their own kitchens. So without further delay, let's dive into this conversation with Abby Cheshire. Things We Mention In This Episode: Free Masterclass: Become a Paid Cookbook Author — and Turn Your Recipes Into Income + Impact Abby in the Galley

Hello, and welcome to another episode of the podcast. Before we dive into our interview today, I want to let you know I have a very special masterclass coming up called How to Get Paid to Write a Cookbook. In this clas,s I will help you: Discover what traditional publishers want in 2026 Position yourself for a publishing deal without years of trial & error Craft a viable cookbook concept that attracts agents & publishers Build three deal-ready essentials to help you feel prepared To register, head over to Cookbook Writers Academy. Today on the podcast, I'm excited to have an interview with Susan Gravely. is the Founder and CEO Emerita of VIETRI, a lifestyle brand offering handcrafted Italian tabletop and home-and-garden accessories. She started VIETRI alongside her sister and mother after they took a magical trip to Italy in 1983. They fell in love with the hand-painted dinnerware we found on the Amalfi Coast and decided to start a wholesale business. Since that trip forty years ago, VIETRI has become the largest American importer of Italian ceramics. Susan is the author of 2 books Italy on a Plate, which we discussed in Episode 234, and today her newest book Italy in a Glass, where Susan explores the Italian ritual of aperitivo, where cocktails, mocktails, and small bites set the stage for festive gatherings. Inspired by her own experiences in Italy, Gravely shares the art of entertaining Italian-style, blending personal stories with time-tested recipes and tips from her Italian friends. Today on the show we talk about: Building VIETRI: From a Family Discovery to a Global Brand Italy, Craftsmanship, and Living Beautifully Cookbook Writing & Storytelling Through Food Leadership, Legacy, and Susan's Next Chapter as CEO Emerita Things We Mention In This Episode: Come learn how to get paid to write a cookbook in this free masterclass Vietri: Fine Italian Ceramic Dinnerware and Decor Italy in a Glass: Adventures, Aperitivi, Antipasti