Everything Cookbooks

Molly and Kristin dive into the territory of kid-lit in this talk with Alliah Agostini and Taffy Elrod, authors of The Juneteenth Cookbook. Alliah and Taffy discuss how they both got involved with the project, how they worked together and the goal they had of bringing the celebration of Juneteenth to life with food, history and family activities. They talk about the family representation in the book, the recipe development process and what went into all the extras inside. Alliah and Taffy both speak about tapping into their inner child while writing, what it was like working with their illustrator and the plans they have for the upcoming book tour.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Alliah L. AgostiniTaffy ElrodThe Society of Children’s Book Writers and IllustratorsHighlights Foundation Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Juneteenth Cookbook by Alliah L. Agostini and Taffy ElrodThe Juneteenth Story by Alliah L. Agostini

Molly, Kristin, Andrea and Kate tackle the topic of cookbook criticism, spurred on by recent online conversations. They discuss what it could look like, its importance and what the lack of rigorous criticism means for cookbook publishing. They talk about the unique obstacles to reviewing cookbooks, the elements reviews should highlight and why we need to be wary of echo chambers. Our hosts speak on the idea that this genre isn't taken as seriously as others, what that means for cookbook quality and share what they specifically want to see in a good cookbook.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Cookbooks And Criticism by Tim MazurekCooks Without Borders by Leslie BrennerWhere the Heck Is All the Cookbook Criticism? by Paula ForbesA Wine Guide for a Changing World (for Better and for Worse) in NYTEpisode 19: Do Cookbook Awards Matter? | Charlotte DruckmanEpisode 49: Cookbook Media Coverage with Bonnie BenwickKitchen Bookshelf on Instagram Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showModern Proper by Holly Erickson and Natalie MortimerPlenty by Yotam Ottolenghi

Kristin and Molly speak with author and blogger Shelly Worcel about breaking into speciality markets and writing niche, single subject cookbooks. Shelly speaks about growing her skills while blogging, how she was tapped to write her highly successful second book, and how her open mindset allowed a natural escalation of her brand and career. She shares the pitching process, how photography and styling fits into her workflow and how she is able to keep each new project fresh. She talks about marketing her books as "gifts", how she keeps merchandising in mind during the writing and the upcoming project she is concentrating on now.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Shelly WorcelWebsiteInstagram Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showEvery Season is Soup Season by Shelly WorcelPlatters and Boards by Shelly WorcelTables & Spreads by Shelly WorcelVegetarian Heartland by Shelly Worcel

Kate talks with Kristin, Molly and Andrea about the challenges faced when beginning a writing career and the resources they use to help improve their writing skills. They discuss which interest came first, the writing or the food, how reading with a critical eye can help one move beyond the basics and why it is vital to always keep the reader at the forefront. They each share the specific books and tools they turn to for guidance, inspiration and exploration as they constantly look to advance their craft.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions The Complete Recipe Writing GuideRecipes Into Type (Out of Print)Grammarphobia websiteEpisode 69: Writing a Menu Cookbook with Amy ThielenEpisode 15: Will Write for Food with Dianne Jacob Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showDyrer’s EnglishSeveral Short Sentences About Writing Smart BrevityRefuse To Be DoneFlavoramaThe Flavor Thesaurus - Volume OneThe Flavor Thesaurus - Volume TwoThe Flavor BibleHow To Write AnythingBird By BirdThe Copy BookWhen in French Love in a Second LanguageI Dream of Dinner so You Don't Have To by Ali SlagelNative American Ethnobotany by Daniel E MoermanOn Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen by Harold McGee

To mark our 2 year anniversary, we're re-releasing our very first episode! Kate leads today's discussion on the most important question to ask before you sit down to write your cookbook: Should you write a cookbook? Molly, Andrea and Kristin share their individual journeys as authors and provide some insights into what goes on behind the decision to move forward with a project. They chat about the importance of hustle, platform and studying the elements in your favorite cookbooks as well as some of the books they decided against creating. Finally, Molly shares a Tip of the Week and Andrea lets us know which cookbook has captured her attention lately.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions:Jane Friedman.comHeidi Swanson's 101 Cookbooks websiteSusan Chang's Podcast: The Level TeaspoonThe New York Times Magazine article about why dictionaries are valuable Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showTaste & Technique by Naomi PomeroyMister Jiu's in Chinatown: Recipes and Stories from the Birthplace of Chinese American Food by Brandon Jew

Andrea, Molly, Kristin and Kate sit down to wrap up another incredible season of the show: taking listener questions, highlighting our top takeaways and hinting at the upcoming Season 5. They discuss how they individually approach recipe testing, what they learned about community this season and take time to celebrate the recent World Central Kitchen fundraiser and the evolution of our Insider Series. Thank you for your support and stay tuned for future episodes in the coming weeks!Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Follow EVCB on InstagramHeidi Swanson Episode 16: Listener Questions: Recipe Testing, Family Cookbooks, Agents, and Should I Use a Scale?Episode 72: Nichole Accettola and Malena Watrous on Co-Authoring Scandinavian From ScratchEpisode 36: Celebrating Colombia with Mariana VelásquezEpisode 74: Crafting a Drinks Book with Danny ChildsEpisode 79: Collaborating with Family on a Cookbook with the Wang SistersEpisode 73: Writing For the Culture with Klancy MillerEpisode 77: Politics, Food and Cooking with Clarissa WeiEpisode 76: Totally Achievable Zero Waste Cooking with Irene and Mei Li Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Kristin and Kate speak with cookbook author Adeena Sussman about her career, her new book and what its like working with Chrissy Teigen. A self described "late bloomer" Adeena shares her experience collaborating on over a dozen books, how she got her start and what she learned on the job as she hustled her way into food media. She talks about how she sees herself and her audience, what shabbat means to her and how she views social media recipe development. Finally, she discusses the value she sees in book events, how she stays organized and what her next book is about.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsAdeena SussmanWebsiteInstagram The Little Rituals That Keep Us Going - The New York Times Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showSababa by Adeena SussmanShabbat by Adeena SussmanCravings by Adeena Sussman and Chrissy TeigenCravings: Hungry for More by Adeena Sussman and Chrissy TeigenCravings: All Together by Adeena Sussman and Chrissy Teigen

Molly and Kristin speak with the Wang sisters, Stéphanie, Patricia Ho-Yi and Caroline, about their new cookbook, Asian Vegetables and its recently released English edition. They discuss how the idea for the book came about and how they decided to tackle it as a team using their various skill sets as a gardener, dietician and musician. They share their collaboration process, how they divided the labor and what themes they were passionate about including in this all-in-one gardening guide, memoir and cookbook. They talk about crafting one voice, the translation process and design choices including a special connection with their photographer as well as how working on this during the height of the pandemic brought them closer as sisters.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions The Wang SistersAsian Vegetables (French Version) Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showAsian Vegetables (English version) by Stéphanie Wang, Patricia Ho-Yi Wang, Caroline Wang

Molly and Kate discuss serialized cookbooks with author and professor, Darra Goldstein. Darra explains how the idea for the series came about, how the writing team was assembled and the inspirations behind the project. She shares the obstacles that arose as they released two books at once, as well as the relentless schedule this involved. Finally, she speaks on the necessity of switching up her writing voice from academic to author, the hurdles of the design process and where the next installments are in the pipeline.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Darra GoldsteinWebsiteInstagramZarela Martinez Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showPreserved: Condiments by Darra Goldstein, Cortney Burns, Richard MartinPreserved: Fruit by Darra Goldstein, Cortney Burns, Richard MartinKirsten ShockeyFood52Modernist Cuisine

Andrea and Molly talk with Taipei-based journalist and author, Clarissa Wei about her debut cookbook, Made in Taiwan and the inclusion of politics in food writing. Clarissa speaks about her career's origins and how her frustration with the outdated coverage of Taiwanese food in media compelled her to write this book. She shares how her journalistic background informed the project, how she worked with the various members of her team and her strategy for weaving in the history with the technical side of cooking. She discusses how she used her writing voice in this format and what she hopes to work on in the future.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsClarissa WeiWebsiteInstagram Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showMade in Taiwan by Clarissa Wei

Kate and Kristin speak with sisters Margaret and Irene Li about their new book, Perfectly Good Food, and the concepts of shopping your kitchen and foraging your fridge. They discuss the idea behind the book, how they approached its unique structure and landed on its fun, friendly tone and created its flexible recipes. They share how they divided the work of writing and what is next for them.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Food Waste FeastFood Waste Feast on InstagramMei Mei Dumplings Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showPerfectly Good Food: A Totally Achievable Zero Waste Approach to Home Cooking by Margaret Li and Irene LiDouble Awesome Chinese Food by Irene Li, Andrew Li and Margaret LiHome Comforts by Cheryl MendelsonSeeing Science: An Illustrated Guide to the Wonders of the Universe by Iris Gottlieb

In our last episode of 2023, Kate, Kristin and Molly discuss food trends and how they apply to the cookbook world. Whether it's butter boards, nacho tables, "girl dinner" or baked potato bars these stunt foods can loom large yet die quickly in the public consciousness. They discuss ideas on identifying trends, how to capitalize on them and the importance of keeping a variety of demographics in mind when working on "trendy" topics. Finally, we list some things we're looking forward to in 2024. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsKristin Donnelly's Cookbook Proposal Class Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showBeautiful Boards by Maegan BrownEveryday Snack Board by Largeman-Roth Rdn FrancesKoreatown by Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard

Kristin and Molly speak with Danny Childs about his new beverage book, Slow Drinks; its origination, proposal stages and how the pandemic affected its creation. Danny shares his background in ethnobotany, how he altered his writing voice from academic to narrative and the process of making these recipes adaptable to non-local foraging readers. He talks about the book's photography, illustration and design process, the books that inspire him and the new business venture he is starting.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Danny Childs / Slow Drinks InstagramThe Farm and FishermanSlow Food InternationalEdible Magazine Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showSlow Drinks by Danny ChildsMeehan's Bartender Manual by Jim MeehanThe Dead Rabbit Drinks Manual by Jack McGarry, Ben Schaffer and Sean MuldoonThe PDT Cocktail Book by Jim Meehan and Chris GallDeath & Co by David Kaplan, Alex Day and Nick FauchaldBitters by Brad Thomas ParsonsAmaro by Brad Thomas ParsonsThe Art of Fermentation by Sandor KatzWildcrafted Fermentation by Pascal BaudarThe River Cottage Preserves HandbookJerry ThomasImbibe MagazineSalt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat

Kate and Kristin speak with Klancy Miller about her magazine and upcoming book: For the Culture: Phenomenal Black Women and Femmes in Food. She speaks about writing the book she wanted to read when she was younger, how the idea came about and how events in 2020 influenced it. She shares how it evolved from proposal to book, why she included recipes and the ups and downs of its interview format. Finally, she talks about the decision to use illustrations, her self-funded book tour and what is next for her personally and professionally. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsKlancy MillerWebsiteInstagramFor the Culture Magazine Mona Creative Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showFor the Culture by Klancy MillerCooking Solo by Klancy Miller

Kate and Molly get into the nitty gritty of collaborations with Nichole Accettola and Malena Watrous as they discuss their new book, Scandinavian From Scratch. They share how the book came about, how they began to work together and the process they followed so each could bring their own strengths to the project. They talk about the book's unique organization, creating a writing voice, the on-location photography shoot and the most difficult part of the entire process before sharing a few final words of advice for anyone looking to establish their own successful writing partnership. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Nichole AccettolaMalena WatrousKantine Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showScandinavian from Scratch by Nichole AccettolaMy Mexico City Kitchen by Gabriela Camara and Malena WatrousIf You Follow Me by Malena Watrous

Kate and Kristin speak with Ara Zada all about content creation and becoming a social media influencer. Ara shares his decision to pursue a large following and grow his platform as well as how a health scare motivated this choice. He describes a day in his life and the full time requirements of this work as well as the mental toll it can take due to its instant nature, algorithm changes, comments, trolls, monetization strategies and banned content. He talks about the inter-relatedness of his book to his online presence, how he evolves his content over time and a sneak peek into what he is working on next.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsAra ZadaWebsiteInstagramTikTokYouTube LA Times ArticleA journey to Armenia through food: The Armenian bread that’s at the heart of every mealPractical Kitchen Instagram

Kristin and Molly speak with Sara Calvosa Olsen about her new cookbook, Chími Nu’am and its inspiration, creation and message. Sara shares her food writing journey, thoughts on the title and cover and how the pandemic altered the book's approach and voice. She discusses why she calls it "an inconvenient cookbook" and what it was like working with her publisher and learning photography for its images. Finally, she talks about the best advice she received, the concept she returns to in times of doubt and the themes she wants to communicate with this work. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Sara Calvosa OlsonWebsiteInstagramHeyDayEdible Magazine Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showChími Nu’am by Sara Calvosa Olson

Molly and Kate speak with writer Amy Thielen about her new cookbook, Company; its menu format, its inspiration and how its voice differs from her earlier works. She describes confronting her own created persona, why she feels it is important to highlight the bittersweetness in life, and who she writes for. She also discusses the delays with this book, working with her editor, stylist, and photographer, as well as her system for recipe writing, tracking, and testing. Finally, she shares her intimate approach to food writing and what she is working on now. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsAmy ThielenWebsiteInstagramFacebookSubstack Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showCompany: The Radically Casual Art of Cooking for Others by Amy ThielenGive a Girl a Knife: A Memoir by Amy ThielenThe New Midwestern Table: 200 Heartland Recipes by Amy ThielenChez Panisse Menu Cookbook

Molly and Kristin talk with Tuscany based blogger, teacher and cookbook author Giulia Scarpaleggia about the concept of cucina povera and creating a community in two languages. She shares her career journey, the differences in publishing in Italy versus the U.S. and how her passion for writing and cooking developed hand in hand. She speaks on the recipe testing process, her translation method, dealing with one star reviews and the version of Italy that was important for her to showcase in this book. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Giulia ScarpaleggiaInstagramIn Jul's Kitchen BlogSubstack: Letters from TuscanyPodcast: Cooking with an Italian Accent Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showCucina Povera by Giulia ScarpaleggiaFrom the Markets of Tuscany by Giulia Scarpaleggia

Kristin and Kate speak with food columnist and author, Sandra Gutierrez, about her career path and her newest cookbook Latinísimo, an almost 600 page tome about the cuisines of 21 Latin American countries. She shares her love of challenges, what its like working with a university press and why she wanted to write this specific book. She discusses behind the scenes experiences of proposal writing, recipe creation, research, photography, unexpected hiccups and more before sharing some final advice for aspiring writers.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsSandra GutierrezInstagram Episode 31: Catch an Agent's Attention with Sally Ekus Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showLatinísimo by Sandra A. GutierrezSavor the South: Beans and Field Peas by Sandra A. GutierrezLatin American Street Food: The Best Flavors of Markets, Beaches, and Roadside Stands from Mexico to Argentina by Sandra A. GutierrezThe New Southern Latino Table by Sandra A. Gutierrez

Kate and Molly discuss all things self-publishing with writer, tour guide and (new) publisher, Katie Parla. She shares what motivated her to do some data investigation into her previous cookbooks and ultimately how she decided to start her own publishing company for her newest cookbook, Food of the Italian Islands. She talks about lessons learned, experiences with finding and working with her self assembled team and what is next for Parla Publishing. Listen for her thoughts on touring smaller cities, her recipe development process and why she encourages aspiring authors to nerd out on the numbers. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsKatie ParlaWebsiteInstagramPodcast: GolaFood of the Italian IslandsParla PublishingKatie Parla ShopMaersk ShippingIngramZando BooksZibby BooksKitchen Arts and LettersNow Serving BookstoreThe Vanity Project Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showTasting Rome by Katie Parla and Kristina GillFood of the Italian South by Katie Parla

Kate, Molly and Kristin speak with fellow podcaster Brian Hogan Stewart, of the Salt & Spine podcast. They chat about his career path, the origins of the show and how it has evolved since it began. Brian shares how his journalistic background and love of cookbooks led him to podcasting, how he learned the technical side of things and how he fits it all in his busy schedule. Finally, he describes what goes into a good interview, shares some advice for aspiring podcasters and also what kind of shows he hopes to hear in the future. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Brian Hogan StewartSalt & Spine PodcastSalt & Spine SubstackInstagram The Civic KitchenCompetition Kitchen GameWhetstone Radio CollectiveMilk Street Radio Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

We are kicking off Season 4 with an episode dedicated to listener questions. Molly, Kate, Andrea and Kristin share their insights on everything from time management, "the cool kids club", design planning, building brand awareness and their love for librarians. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Publishing Confidential SubstackEpisode 38: Finding Your People with Carla Lalli MusicEpisode 49: Cookbook Media Coverage with Bonnie BenwickEpisode 55: Making a Documentary-Style Cookbook with Matt RodbardEpisode 11: Understanding Cookbook Design with Alice ChauBad on Paper Podcast: How Libraries Work Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Today all four hosts sit down to discuss the realities of rejection. They share their own experiences with being turned down along with advice and tips on how to turn that into a learning strategy. They talk about what to keep in mind while waiting for responses, the pain of silent rejections and how they deal with negative comments and bad reviews. Finally, they encourage writers to know their "why", ask questions, build community and to become experienced instead of embittered (with a dash of rejection revenge!).Everything Cookbooks will be back in October with more episodes! Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsEpisode 19: Do Cookbook Awards Matter? | Charlotte DruckmanSubstackJane Friedman Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showNo Meat Required by Alicia Kennedy

Molly and Kate talk with Martha Holmberg, author and former publisher and food editor, about writing single subject cookbooks. She describes her career journey, how she decided to write her first cookbook and what the greatest job of her life was. She shares how her voice and style has evolved, how to make a deep dive into a subject feel complete and the way she switches from editorial brain to writer brain. Finally she talks about the experience writing solo vs. as a co-author and the tip she wants each home cook to do.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsMartha HolmbergWebsiteInstagram PuffModern SaucesPlums Short Stack Fifty Shades of Pâté: New CookbooksMichael Ruhlman: The Art of the Single-Subject CookbookAccused, Yes, but Probably Not a Killer by Harold McGee Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showSimply Tomato by Martha HolmbergCrepes by Martha HolmbergSix Seasons by Joshua McFadden and Martha HolmbergGrains by Joshua McFadden and Martha HolmbergThe Bar Book by Jeffery Morgenthaler and Martha Holmberg

Kate and Molly talk with cookbook author Lukas Volger about his career, writing journey and the process of creating a second edition. Lukas shares how he got his start in the food writing world, his experience in publishing industry and the easter eggs he includes in each of his books. He describes where the idea for a second edition of Veggie Burgers Every Which Way came from, how he approached it and what he learned from revisiting his work thirteen years later. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsLukas VolgerWebsiteNewsletterInstagram The Experiment Publishing Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showVeggie Burgers Every Which Way, Second Edition by Lukas VolgerSnacks for Dinner by Lukas VolgerStart Simple by Lukas VolgerBowl by Lukas VolgerVegetarian Entrées That Won't Leave You Hungry by Lukas Volger

Andrea and Kristin chat with writer and recipe developer Hetty McKinnon about her career, books and inspirations. Hetty discusses how her background informs her food as well as the trajectory of her career from providing a salad delivery service in Australia to writing cookbooks in Brooklyn. She explains her thoughts on headnotes, how she stays organized and what inspires her recipes. She also shares how she has developed her writing voice, why she photographs her books and the trust she seeks to build with her audience. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsHetty McKinnonWebsiteInstagramNewsletter "To Vegetables with Love"Peddler JournalPodcast "The House Specials" Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showCommunity by Hetty McKinnonNeighborhood by Hetty McKinnonTo Asia with Love by Hetty McKinnonTenderheart by Hetty McKinnon

Molly and Kate talk with Lerato Umah-Shaylor, a UK based chef, food writer and cooking teacher, about her debut cookbook Africana. Lerato shares how she made her passion for food into a career and what made her want to tackle this massive topic for her first book. She discusses how she pairs stories and context with recipes, how she conducted her research and balanced structure and voice in her writing. She provides some insights on the differences between the US and UK publishing experience and the feedback she loves to get from readers.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsLerato Umah-ShaylorSubstackWebsiteInstagramFood ToursBuy the UK version of AfricanaVisit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showAfricana by Lerato Umah-Shaylor

Kate and Kristin talk with writer David Lebovitz about his career and life in France. He discusses how he went from pastry chef to food writer, how blogging strengthened his writing voice and why he pivoted to video during the pandemic. He shares his decision to write "the hardest book he ever wrote", the advice he gives to aspiring writers and his choice to move his writing to Substack. Finally, he tells us how decides what stories to tell and reveals a glimpse into a few new potential projects.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsDavid LebovitzWebsiteInstagramSubstackPodcast The Idle Hour Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showDrinking French by David LebovitzL’Appart by David LebovitzMy Paris Kitchen by David LebovitzThe Perfect Scoop by David LebovitzReady for Dessert by David LebovitzThe Sweet Life in Paris by David LebovitzThe Great Book of Chocolate by David LebovitzThe Lost Kitchen by Erin French

Molly and Kristin talk with writer Alicia Kennedy about her new book, No Meat Required, and her philosophy on food writing. She discusses the proposal, writing and publishing process and her thoughts on the structure, citations and bibliography of the book. She shares her inspirations for the cover as well as how she organizes her varied research and publishing schedule. She talks about developing her own voice, what she hopes to see in the future of food media and thoughts on recipe creation as well as her relationship to social media. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsAlicia KennedyWebsiteSubstackInstagramFrom the Desk PodcastFrom the Kitchen PodcastMeatless PodcastScrivenerWhetstoneVittlesCulinary Tourism ProgramRuby Tandoh Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showNo Meat Required by Alicia KennedyBuilding a Second Brain by Tiago ForteTaste Makers by Mayukh SenUnder the Henfluence by Tove Danovich

Kate and Kristin discuss all things hybrid publishing with Vasudha Viswanath, the author of The Vegetarian Reset. Vasudha shares a quick rundown of the typical routes of publishing and why she chose to go down the hybrid path. She talks about the pitching process, what partnership publishers cover (and don't), the recipe development steps and how she assembled her creative and publicity team. She describes the part her book plays in her business strategy and her experience learning as she goes in the cookbook community. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsVasudha ViswanathThe Vegetarian ResetSubstack: We Ate WellInstagramThe Collective Book StudioEpisode 40: Snackable Bakes with Jessie SheehanEpisode 47: Self-Publishing Cookbooks with Nick FauchaldAmazon Kindle Direct PublishingIngramSpark52 Shabbats by Faith KramerReedsy Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showWill Write for Food by Dianne Jacob

Molly and Kristin chat with Matt Rodbard; writer and founding editor of the online food and culture magazine TASTE, all about his career in food media. He reveals the surprising way he got started, how his collaborations came about and the documentary visual style of some of his books. He shares some ups and downs of his writing career, how he balances his many projects and his hopes and excitement for the future of cookbooks. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsMatt RodbardWebsiteInstagramTwitterTasteThe Taste PodcastTaste Pitching Guideline Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showKoreatown: A Cookbook by Deuki Hong and Matt RodbardFood IQ by Daniel Holzman and Matt RodbardPok Pok by Andy RickerLasagne by Anna HezelBeyond the Great Wall by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi DuguidAndrea Nguyen's booksPriya Krishna's booksAlison Roman's booksMasala by Anita JaisinghaniChaat by Maneet Chauhan and Jody EddyTin to Table by Anna HezelSheet Pan Chicken by Cathy ErwayMaangchi’s Real Korean Cooking by Maangchi

Molly, Kristin, Kate and Andrea talk about the idea behind the cookbook. After sharing some shelved ideas of their own, they workshop submissions from listeners to highlight considerations on topic, marketability, expertise and "the hook" for each premise. They brainstorm and discuss structural considerations, format, audience appeal and comp titles to give listeners insights into the vital first step of the book creation process.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Episode 1: Should You Write a Cookbook?Episode 2: Do You Need a Cookbook Agent? with Rica AllannicHeidi SwansonI’ve Made Everything from Gnocchi to Mapo Tofu in My Camper Van’s KitchenBy Ali SlagleEpisode 50: Telling Your Story in a Chef Cookbook with Vishwesh BhattGet SaucyThe Pleasures of Cooking for OneSavoring Spices and HerbsArticle about the Ski Town Aprés Ski Cookbook successAssociation for Dressing and SaucesCooking for One by Judith Jones Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showGood & Cheap by Leanne BrownBack Pocket Pasta by Colu HenryThe New Sugar & Spice by Samantha SeneviratneSalad for President by Julia ShermanPriya's Kitchen Adventures: A Cookbook for Kids by Priya Krishna

Kate and Kristin talk with Nick DiGiovanni about his transition from YouTube/TikTok star to cookbook author. He discusses what made him want to write, how he translated the visual into the verbal and what inspired the focus of the book. He explains how he got started in content creation, his thoughts on soup and a peek behind the scenes of the book process. Finally, he answers a few fan questions from a special podcast guest before sharing some words of advice for aspiring cookbook writers.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsNick DiGiovanniYouTubeTikTokInstagramOsmo SaltJoanne Chang Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show Knife Drop by Nick DiGiovanni

Molly and Kate talk with Matt Sartwell of Kitchen Arts & Letters, the New York City bookstore specializing in food and drink. As the managing partner, Matt shares his deep knowledge of bookselling with us as he discusses his career path, insights for cover, page (and spine!) design along with insights for aspiring authors. He tells us how he decides what to put on the shelves, the nitty gritty of ordering and returns as well as what books he hopes to see released in the future.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Kitchen Arts & LettersEdelweiss PlusPetit Propos CulinairePreserved JournalOmnivore Books - San FransiscoBook Larder - SeattleBold Fork Books - Washington, DCNow Serving - Los Angeles Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Kristin and Molly speak with Susan Spungen, food stylist, recipe developer, author and founding food editor at Martha Stewart Living, about her new cookbook and its unique photography method. Susan discusses her career path, how she pairs visual inspiration with recipe development and the diaristic tone she created for her latest book, Veg Forward. She describes the process of shooting the book alone with her iPhone and why she wanted to create a vegetable (not vegetarian) book for everyone.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions Susan SpungenWebsiteInstagramTwitterSubstack The Art of Making the Basil BlushSusan's Kale Salad on Epicurious The Cuisine of the Sun: Classic Recipes from Nice and Provence, by Mireille JohnstonThe Cuisine of the Rose: Classic French Cooking from Burgundy and Lyonnais, by Mireille JohnstonParty Food: 2017What’s a Hostess To Do?Strawberries, Short Stack Editions, 2013Recipes: A Collection for the Modern CookMartha Stewart’s Hors d’Oeuvres Handbook: Potter, 1999 Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showVeg Forward by Susan SpungenOpen Kitchen by Susan SpungenCooking with Mushrooms by Andrea Gentl

Molly and Kristin talk with Vishwesh Bhatt, James Beard Award Winner for Best Chef in the South, about his new cookbook I Am From Here. He discusses the origin of the book, what makes it unique and the team that helped create it. He shares his philosophy on food and stories as well as insights into the ideas behind the title, chapter divisions, recipe development and testing. Finally, he gives some advice for others embarking on similar projects and what he wants people to come away with after reading. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsViswesh BhattWebsiteInstagramTwitterSouthern Foodways Alliance Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showI Am From Here by Viswesh Bhatt

Kate and Molly speak with Bonnie Benwick, journalist and former deputy editor of the Washington Post food section, about the changes she's seen over her career in food media. Bonnie talks about her time at the Post, her views on recipe testing/testers and what she thinks is lacking in cookbook reviewing today. She shares what elements make up a good cookbook, her thoughts on recipe writing, design, sidebars, sub-recipes and much more. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsBonnie BenwickWebsiteInstagramTwitterHer Magnolia Table reviewWashington Post archiveKim O'DonnelPaula ForbesPublisher's WeeklyThe Ekus GroupAnd for Mains by Gareth Smith, Rick Higgins and Nicola BradyThe Pleasures of Cooking for One: A Cookbook by Judith JonesEpisode 19: Do Cookbook Awards Matter? | Charlotte DruckmanEpisode 18: Pro Tips from Cookbook Critic Paula ForbesEpisode 28: All About Recipe Headnotes Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showWashington Post Cookbook by Bonnie BenwickPortico: Cooking and Feasting in Rome's Jewish Kitchen by Leah KoenigFlavors of the Maghreb & Southern Italy: Recipes from the Land of the Setting SunWhat Einstein Told His Cook by Robert WolkeAfricana: More than 100 Recipes and Flavors Inspired by a Rich Continent by Lerato Umah-Shaylor Sunday Suppers at Lucques by Suzanne GoinBagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish by Cathy Barrow

Molly and Kate talk with debut cookbook author, Abi Balingit about her whirlwind publishing journey, during which she juggled a full time job and roommates. She shares the origins of her blog, her inspirations and process along with how she worked within her book's tight timeline. She showcases her abundance mentality as she describes honoring her family's food, finding her audience and pinpointing the creative vision she had for the book before chatting about what is next.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsAbi BalingitWebsiteZineInstagramTwitterAbi Balingit on Cherry Bombe Podcast Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showMayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed by Abi Balingit

Kate and Kristin talk with Nick Fauchald, founding editor of Tasting Table, creator of Short Stack Editions and the co-author of many cookbooks. Nick shares his career path, love for the design and tangible artistry of cookbooks and how some of his projects came together. He describes how he chooses his work, the ups and downs of self publishing and the importance of role definitions within a project. Finally, he shares tips, advice and self reflecting questions for anyone thinking of self publishing a cookbook. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsNick FauchaldInstagramTasting TableDovetailShort Stack EditionsGavin KaysenAt Home by Gavin KaysenUprintingScout BooksModernist CuisineLior Lev Sercarz / La Boîte BooksAlinea by Grant AchatzThe Aviary Cocktail Book by Grant Achatz Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showDeath & Co: Modern Classic CocktailsCocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, EvolutionsDeath & Co Welcome HomeThe Short Stack Cookbook by Kaitlyn Goalen and Nick FauchaldUnforgettable by Emily Kaiser Thelin

Today Kristin, Molly and Kate chat with prolific cookbook author (and EVCB co-host) Andrea Nguyen about her inspirations, career path and her newest cookbook: Ever-Green Vietnamese. She talks about where the book idea came from, how it evolved and what the hardest recipe to get right was. She also shares the challenges of this book, how her family influences her work, the ways her approach to writing and promotion has evolved over time and why she loves the pantry section.Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsAndrea NguyenWebsiteInstagramPass the Fish Sauce Substack Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showEver-Green Vietnamese by Andrea NguyenInto the Vietnamese Kitchen by Andrea NguyenVietnamese Food Any Day by Andrea NguyenAsian Tofu by Andrea NguyenThe Banh Mi Handbook by Andrea NguyenThe PHO Cookbook by Andrea NguyenAsian Dumplings by Andrea Nguyen

Molly and Kristin talk with prolific cookbook author Dorie Greenspan about her career, process and longtime creative partnerships. She explains her abundance mentality, how parameters can beget creativity and the struggles, benefits and lessons she experienced writing multiple cookbooks and working as a co-author. Finally, Dorie shares how vital editing is and her advice for aspiring writers. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsDorie GreenspanWebsiteSubstackInstagramFacebookTuesdays with DorieSweet TimesCafé Boulud CookbookChocolate Desserts by Pierre HerméButter (Short Stack)Baking Chez Moi by Dorie GreenspanKeep Calm and Cook On Podcast with Julia Turshen Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showBaking with Julia by Dorie GreenspanBaking from My Home to Yours by Dorie GreenspanAround My French Table by Dorie GreenspanDorie’s Cookies by Dorie GreenspanEveryday Dorie by Dorie GreenspanBaking with Dorie: Sweet, Salty, Simple by Dorie GreenspanGateau by Aleksandra Crapanzano

Picking up where last week's episode left off, Kate gets more in depth about the money side of the business with Kristin, Andrea and Molly. They share past mistakes and how they each tackle budgets, groceries, receipt management, expenses and more. They also discuss outside costs, tax know-hows and the exposure economy along with advice on how side hustles, anchor gigs and outside food work can help build a sustainable career. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Mentions The Anatomy of a Cookbook Deal on Kristin's website Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Kate discusses the money side of cookbooks with Molly, Andrea and Kristin. They each share what they wish they knew before starting out, lessons learned from past projects and what makes them choose to work on a book or not. They share insights on opportunity costs, cash flow timing, working with or without an agent and the difference between an auction and a preempt. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly +Andrea NguyenEditor: Abby Cerquitella Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showEver-Green Vietnamese by Andrea Nguyen

Kate talks with Molly, Andrea and Kristin all about recipe titles. They share what makes one stand out, what is an immediate veto and how these have evolved over the years. They discuss the importance of indexing, the challenge of translation and how grammar, structure and formatting are used in titling along with some of their own that they'd like to revisit. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsGourmet CookbookBoston Cooking School / Fanny Farmer SeriesCook it in a CasseroleCooking Bold and Fearless Recipes from Sunset Chefs of the WestThe Book of YogurtSecret IngredientsChez Panisse Cafe Cookbook Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showChange of Appetite by Diana HenryNigel SlaterVietnamese Food Any Day by Andrea NguyenEver-Green Vietnamese by Andrea NguyenMi Cocina by Rick MartinezThe Woks of Life by Sarah Leung, Bill LeungRice is Life by Caryl Levine, Ken Lee, Kristin Donnelly

Kristin and Andrea chat with Emily Meggett, the matriarch of Edisto Island, and her co-author Kayla Stewart about their book Gullah Geechee Home Cooking. Ms. Emily shares her love for Edisto Island, the long journey to create the book and the mentors that inspired her along the way. Kayla describes the particular challenges of writing this book and recording the recipes along with advice for others who choose to work on similar projects. Finally, Ms Emily tells us how she wants the book to tell the story of food and flavor in America. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsKayla StewartHow Gullah Legend Mrs. Emily Meggett Makes Spottail Bass Stuffed With Parsley Rice - Eater Youtube Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Gullah Geechee Cookbook by Emily Meggett and Kayla Stewart

Kate and Molly talk with Jessie Sheehan, "the self-proclaimed queen of easy-peasy sweets", about her varied career path, how she got into baking and what entices her about a recipe. She shares how the pandemic and social media contributed to creating her unique voice, her advice for writing with a co-author and how to avoid the dreaded "happy robot voice". She describes how she worked on an abbreviated timeline for this book and teases a future one. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsJessie SheehanWebsitePodcastInstagramTiktok Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showSnackable Bakes by Jessie SheehanThe Vintage Baker by Jessie Sheehan

Molly and Kate dive deep into the journey and person that is chef/writer/artist/activist/culinary ambassador (and more), Toya Boudy. She shares how her talents as an artist and wordsmith, along with the interwoven nature of life, resulted in her latest cookbook, "Cooking for the Culture". She discusses her creation process, the unconventional schedule for the book and her family's contribution as she explains her mission to build community and empower the artist inside. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsToya BoudyWebsiteYouTube ChannelPodcastInstagramHer first book "Cook Like a New Orleanian" Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showCooking for the Culture by Toya BoudyBress 'n' Nyams by Matthew Raiford

Molly and Andrea talk with author and former Food Director at Bon Appétit, Carla Lalli Music, all about the voice in the void and finding an audience. She discusses her career path, performing as herself and her thoughts on social media along with the advice she received that helped create her unique writing voice. She shares some insights on economy in recipe writing, style sheets and self-editing and how to fill up the inspiration bank. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsCarla Lalli MusicWebsiteYoutubeInstagramPodcast Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showWhere Cooking Begins by Carla Lalli MusicThat Sounds So Good Carla Lalli Music

Molly and Andrea talk with Kenji López-Alt, author and Chief Culinary Advisor for Serious Eats, about creating and maintaining a voice of authority. He shares his career path, where his interest in food got started and the work that has influenced his own. He describes the relationship he has with his followers, how (or if) to curb enthusiasm while doing topic deep dives and a glimpse inside the creation of his best-selling books. Hosts: Kate Leahy + Andrea Nguyen + Molly Stevens + Kristin DonnellyEditor: Abby Cerquitella MentionsKenji López-AltWebsiteInstagramYou Tube channel Cookwise & Bakewise by Shirly CorriherComplete Techniques by Jacque PepinMr Wizard's WorldSho Spaeth on Serious Eats Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the showThe Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by Kenji López-AltThe Wok: Recipes and Techniques by Kenji López-AltEvery Night is Pizza Night by Kenji López-Alt