WRITING COOKBOOK

Prepared by Mdm Nur Hanifa Zainul

Master in Gastronomy
Culinary Arts Dept.
Learning Outcomes
• From this chapter, students will be able to;
• Define what is cookbook and the purpose
• Differentiate type of cookbooks
• Explain on how to get ideas to generate a good cookbook and
tips in develop cookbooks
• Discuss on the cookbook’s design and tips in taking food photo
for cookbook
• Elaborate on the best fonts for books
• Identify tips to get a publisher
What is
Cookbook?
Cookbook may also define as a kitchen reference publication
that typically contains a collection of recipes. Modern versions
may also include colourful illustrations and advice on
purchasing quality ingredients or making substitutions.

A book of cooking directions and recipes using step-by-step

procedures whose rationale is usually not explained – Mariam
Webster

A book that explains how to prepare particular dishes – Oxford

dictionary
What is Cookbook?
• Cookbooks are a popular non-fiction genre that usually
includes a collection of recipes and/ or cooking techniques.
• The primary focus of cookbooks is food and cooking,
though many chef and food writer memoirs.
• The standard expectation is that a cookbook should have
between 70 and 100 recipes, but larger compendiums have
at least 200.
• The size: 7.5 x 9.25 inches. However, the standard
cookbook size is the medium cookbook size of 7.5 x 9.25
inches. Some cookbook authors prefer a roomier size and
opt for the 7.75 x 10.25 inch trim size to best make use of
white space.
• The cookbook would be approximately 50,000 to 150,000
words with 40 photos.
Purpose of
Cookbook
• The purpose of a recipe is to
have a precise record of the
ingredients used, the amount
needed, and the way they are
combined to ensure a
consistent quality product
for your customer/reader.
Standard Divider
Categories of Cookbook
Standard divider categories include:
• Appetizers, Beverages.
• Soups, Salads.
• Vegetables.
• Main Dishes.
• Breads, Rolls.
• Desserts.
• Miscellaneous.
How Do You Categorize
Recipes in a Cookbook?
Here are a few ideas for how you can
categorize your recipes:
• Meal type: breakfast, lunch, dinner,
dessert, appetizers, sides, snacks, drinks.
• Diet: low carb, keto, vegetarian, Whole
30, paleo.
• Cuisine: Italian, Mexican, Thai, Chinese,
Greek.
• Main ingredient: chicken, beef, pasta,
fish.
How to Get Started? Here are a
few fail-proof rules to observe:
1. Start with a descriptive, enticing title.
2. List ingredients in the order used.
3. Do the prep in your ingredients list.
4. Test and retest your recipe to make sure it
works.
5. Precision
6. Measurements
7. Know your audience
1. Start with a
descriptive, enticing
title.
Classic Strawberry Shortcake, for
example, tells readers exactly what
they’ll get: a rich biscuit with saucy
fresh strawberries and whipped
cream.
2. List ingredients
in the order used.
Your recipe might feature lamb
chops, but if the first thing you do is
heat olive oil in a skillet, that’s
where to start.

Don’t over complicate things. Less

is more!
3. Do the prep in
your ingredients list.
The French call it mise en place. Get
all your ingredients chopped, measured
and ready to go before firing up the
stovetop. Use the method to explain
what to do with 1 onion, sliced; or ½
cup chopped parsley. Make it as easy to
follow.
4. Test and retest
your recipe to make
sure it works.
Make sure you’re not
writing in shorthand,
skipping a step, or leaving
out an ingredient.
5. Precision
Be precise, especially in
measurements, timings,
oven temperatures and tin
or dish sizes. This is
doubly important for
baking recipes.
6. Measurements

Used exact measurements & a

set of measuring spoons rather
than table cutlery.
7. Know your
audience
Write recipes for the
reader, not for your ego.
If you have a clear idea
of who you are writing
that recipe for then it's
easier to write.
How to Generate the Ideas for a
Good Cookbook?

Choose the focus or

Find your niche
theme of the cookbook

Decide if you're writing

the cookbook for Research what's
personal or professional popular.
use.

Decide the style of the Create a rough outline

cookbook. of the contents.
How to Make a Good Cookbook?

Step 1 Collect the recipes

Step 2 Curate the collection, and type up the chosen ones

Step 3 Design A consistent and book-friendly format for the recipes

Step 4 Cook

Step 5 Take photographs

Step 6 Create your book

Additional Tips to Make a
Cookbook
Plan the chapters of your Test your recipes, re-test,
The ingredients
cookbook in advance and proofread

Choose the basics of your

Consistency is key The assembly
cookbook

The Presentation
• Plate for the eye, not the
Have fun with the stomach
Plan your layout with care
headnotes • Natural light is your friend
• Variety is the spice of life
How do you name a
cookbook?
If you have a lot to say about what's in your
book or have a super-specific focus, keep it
simple in the title and narrow it down in the
subtitle.
Here's an example from a cookbook that's both
regional and personal: "Mom's Maryland
Kitchen: Seafood and other specialties from a
childhood on the Chesapeake Bay".
How do you write a
cookbook title?
Choosing A Great Cookbook Title
Be Descriptive, Not Clever. A good title describes
what the book is about, especially when taken in
hand with the subtitle.
Keep It Short. Good titles tend to be as short as
possible.
Keep It Simple.
Use Search Keywords In the Title.
What Makes a Great
Cookbook?
• Identify your audience. ...
• Create an outline. ...
• Title your recipes thoughtfully. ...
• Use consistent names and measurements. ...
• Follow the common recipe structure. ...
• Test your recipes, and then retest.
 Types of Cookbook
There are 6 different
categories of cookbooks:-
1. THEMATIC
BOOKS

Cookbooks with
themes like food gifts,
quick cooking,
casseroles, easy to
freeze dinners,
vegetarian cuisine
2. SINGLE
INGREDIENT
COOKBOOKS

Each recipe includes

the one ingredient,
whether it’s pasta,
garlic, onions, beans,
grains
3. ETHNIC

Thai, Vietnamese,
Middle Eastern, Italian,
Mexican, Asian etc.
4. REGIONAL

This could be food limited

by county, state, or region.
These books usually
include what grows or
lives naturally in a
particular region and
traditionally ways to
prepare it
5. AGE –
FOCUSED
Easy meals for seniors,
feeding vegetarian
babies, family cooking,
teens’ favorite meals,
easy recipes for
children
6. FUN
Collections of recipes made
with beer, or a group of
mystery writers’ favorite
recipes. Example: recipes
developed based on a movie,
or a novel, or a cookbook to
be published as a way to
promote a group of
novelists…..