Everything Cookbooks

Latest Episodes:

55: Making a Documentary-Style Cookbook with Matt Rodbard Jun 28, 2023

Show notes

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 Donnelly

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Matt Rodbard

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Koreatown: A Cookbook by Deuki Hong and Matt Rodbard
Food IQ by Daniel Holzman and Matt Rodbard
Pok Pok by Andy Ricker
Lasagne by Anna Hezel
Beyond the Great Wall by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid
Andrea Nguyen's books
Priya Krishna's books
Alison Roman's books
Masala by Anita Jaisinghani
Chaat by Maneet Chauhan and Jody Eddy
Tin to Table by Anna Hezel
Sheet Pan Chicken by Cathy Erway
Maangchi’s Real Korean Cooking by Maangchi

54: Cookbook Ideas: Where It All Begins Jun 21, 2023

Show notes

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 Nguyen

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Episode 1: Should You Write a Cookbook?

Episode 2: Do You Need a Cookbook Agent? with Rica Allannic

Heidi Swanson

I’ve Made Everything from Gnocchi to Mapo Tofu in My Camper Van’s Kitchen

By Ali Slagle

Episode 50: Telling Your Story in a Chef Cookbook with Vishwesh Bhatt

Get Saucy

The Pleasures of Cooking for One

Savoring Spices and Herbs

Article about the Ski Town Aprés Ski Cookbook success

Association for Dressing and Sauces

Cooking for One by Judith Jones

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Good & Cheap by Leanne Brown
Back Pocket Pasta by Colu Henry
The New Sugar & Spice by Samantha Seneviratne
Salad for President by Julia Sherman
Priya's Kitchen Adventures: A Cookbook for Kids by Priya Krishna

53: From Video to Cookbook with Nick DiGiovanni Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

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 Donnelly

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Nick DiGiovanni

Joanne Chang

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Knife Drop by Nick DiGiovanni

52: Matt Sartwell of Kitchen Arts and Letters Jun 07, 2023

Show notes

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 Donnelly

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Kitchen Arts & Letters

Edelweiss Plus

Petit Propos Culinaire

Preserved Journal

Omnivore Books - San Fransisco

Book Larder - Seattle

Bold Fork Books - Washington, DC

Now Serving - Los Angeles

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

51: Photographing a Cookbook Using an iPhone with Susan Spungen May 31, 2023

Show notes

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 Donnelly

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Susan Spungen

The Art of Making the Basil Blush

Susan's Kale Salad on Epicurious

The Cuisine of the Sun: Classic Recipes from Nice and Provence, by Mireille Johnston

The Cuisine of the Rose: Classic French Cooking from Burgundy and Lyonnais, by Mireille Johnston

Party Food: 2017

What’s a Hostess To Do?

Strawberries, Short Stack Editions, 2013

Recipes: A Collection for the Modern Cook

Martha Stewart’s Hors d’Oeuvres Handbook: Potter, 1999

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Veg Forward by Susan Spungen
Open Kitchen by Susan Spungen
Cooking with Mushrooms by Andrea Gentl

50: Telling Your Story in a Chef Cookbook with Vishwesh Bhatt May 24, 2023

Show notes

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 Donnelly

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Viswesh Bhatt

Southern Foodways Alliance

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

I Am From Here by Viswesh Bhatt

49: Cookbook Media Coverage with Bonnie Benwick May 17, 2023

Show notes

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 Donnelly

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Bonnie Benwick

And for Mains by Gareth Smith, Rick Higgins and Nicola Brady

The Pleasures of Cooking for One: A Cookbook by Judith Jones

Episode 19: Do Cookbook Awards Matter? | Charlotte Druckman

Episode 18: Pro Tips from Cookbook Critic Paula Forbes

Episode 28: All About Recipe Headnotes

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Washington Post Cookbook by Bonnie Benwick
Portico: Cooking and Feasting in Rome's Jewish Kitchen by Leah Koenig
Flavors of the Maghreb & Southern Italy: Recipes from the Land of the Setting Sun
What Einstein Told His Cook by Robert Wolke
Africana: More than 100 Recipes and Flavors Inspired by a Rich Continent by Lerato Umah-Shaylor
Sunday Suppers at Lucques by Suzanne Goin
Bagels, Schmears, and a Nice Piece of Fish by Cathy Barrow

48: Abi Balingit on Learning as You Go May 10, 2023

Show notes

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 Donnelly

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Abi Balingit

Abi Balingit on Cherry Bombe Podcast

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed by Abi Balingit

47: Self Publishing Cookbooks with Nick Fauchald May 03, 2023

Show notes

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 Donnelly

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Nick Fauchald

Gavin Kaysen

At Home by Gavin Kaysen

Uprinting

Scout Books

Modernist Cuisine

Lior Lev Sercarz / La Boîte Books

Alinea by Grant Achatz

The Aviary Cocktail Book by Grant Achatz

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show

46: Andrea Nguyen on Ever-Green Vietnamese Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

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 Donnelly

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Andrea Nguyen

Visit the Everything Cookbooks Bookshop to purchase a copy of the books mentioned in the show