What I’ve Learned from Writing My Own Cookbooks Aug 3 2025

When I first decided to publish a cookbook, I thought it would be simple: write recipes, hit “print,” and voilà. Turns out, it’s a whole lot messier—and more rewarding—than I ever imagined.

I had no idea what I was getting into. Now I do—and let me tell you, I’ve made plenty of mistakes along the way. I’ve learned, grown, and yes, I keep making new ones. My early books? They’re begging for a good edit. I look back and think, “Wow, I could’ve done that so much better.”

Being your own editor is brutal. You can’t be unbiased, and it’s hard to catch your own blind spots. I’ve had family help with testing and pointing out issues, which was a lifesaver. My husband offered to help, too, but his critiques are... let’s just say, sharper than a chef’s knife. And he’s so busy, I’d be lucky to publish anything before the year 3000. Still, it’s the thought that counts.

Mistakes were made. Lessons were learned. And now, I’m back at the editing board, determined to make those early books shine before diving into the 200 new ideas waiting in the wings.