I am writing a cookbook. Technically, there has been no writing involved yet. It is just in the dream phase at the moment, but that’s the way all my goals start out. Peter and I have been talking about writing a cookbook for our restaurant for the past couple of years. Which would not only enable me to check it off my bucket list, but also undoubtedly be an asset to our restaurant and customers.
When we mention our writing a cookbook desire to friends and acquaintances it is almost always met by the same response, “that should be really easy, you have all the recipes already.”
Not so much.
Yes, we do have quite a few cookbook worthy recipes, like the Pistachio Crusted Salmon with Red Pepper Agrodolce and Rotisserie Chicken Pappardelle with Wild Mushrooms.
But, not nearly the hundred solid ones that it takes to fill a cookbook.
And the usable ones that we do have are made for commercial cooking using industrial equipment, for dozens of people, not the home cook. So, unless everyone out there has a Hobart meat slicer, 750 watt immersion blender, a 20-inch sauté pan and serves a football team for every meal, we need to alter a few things.
Plus, writing a cookbook isn’t as easy as it may sound. There are so many things to think about. For example, how will we determine the writing style of the cooking instructions? Some are numbered, some bulleted and others simply in paragraph form. Which is the best technique?
What will be the overall theme? Our restaurant serves Italian food, but with the hundreds of Italian cookbooks on the market it will truly have to be something unique to get noticed.
Just another plain Italian cookbook telling people how to make grandmas lasagna isn’t going to cut it.
How many times should we test each recipe? Should recipes serve 4 or 6 or 8? Who will take the professional photographs? How many recipes should be included? Agh!
Not to mention that personal stories, recipe headers and biographies all have to be written.
I am also well aware that finding a publisher is bound to be difficult when you are creating a restaurant cookbook. So, there will have to be a balance between pleasing our restaurants customers as well as the general cookbook reader. Just add that to the “things to do” list too.
Most importantly, there needs to be time.
And since Summer is approaching, quitting season in the restaurant business has begun. Apparently, some employees would rather be at the beach than washing dishes, which means I may be spending more time washing dishes instead of writing a cookbook. Plus, of course, I must always squeeze in some traveling into my busy life and so far that means spending time in the next few months in Kentucky, Idaho, Tokyo, Micronesia and Louisiana.
It is all okay though, because I realize that some goals take longer than others. I suspect this entire cookbook will take about a year to complete. But, much of experiences in life are about the journey and I plan on documenting this journey, writing about the triumphs, failures and process along the way. Maybe even sharing a few of the recipes pre-publish date.
Step 1 was the Dream.
Next is Step 2, breaking this goal into a few dozen little ones, so I don’t get overwhelmed, pull my hair out and end up crying like a baby in the fetal position.
This sounds so cool! Do it! I’ve bought many cookbooks at restaurants I’ve frequented. When the meal is good and I don’t have leftovers, I want to bring *something* home with me. 🙂
Good point! I for sure thought that we could sell it to some of our loyal customers, but I never really thought about tourists coming in, enjoying their meal and maybe wanting to take it home.
I’ll be a recipe tester!
Now that you’ve put the dream out there, we’ll help keep you on track 🙂
Perfect! I will need recipe testers! And that’s what I was counting on, everyone holding me accountable and keeping me on track 🙂
Excellent…I’ve wanted to make a cookbook of my fave recipes and just print it out for family as xmas presents (using blurb)…nothing too fancy.
I can’t wait to see the finish product….I’m a bit of a cookbook hoarder and have an entire bookcase just filled with cookbooks!
I am a cookbook hoarder too, there are a few on every shelf and in every cabinet!
Congrats on realizing your dream! I cannot wait to see it all come together in book form 🙂
I currently have an agent who is shopping my cookbook to publishing houses 🙂 You should check her out! http://www.lisaekus.com
Thanks much for the contact! I look forward to seeing your cookbook 🙂
Congrats! It is an arduous process and Hopefully you’ll have time on your side, I started 2 years ago…and i do have a lit agent who is “interested” but no commitments yet 🙁 Persistence is the key!!!
I wish you all the luck one can wish!
Thanks! I’m wishing you all the luck right back 🙂
I know I already commented on this post on Facebook, but again, this is amazing! Congratulations and can’t wait to see the final product 🙂 I just wrote about your blog in my most recent post last night about ten people, books, and/or films who might inspire people to start a bucket list if you want to check it out!
http://projectlighttolife.wordpress.com/2013/06/11/get-inspired-to-start-a-bucket-list/
Hope you’re having a great day!
Thank you so much! Loved your post and I’m going to Tweet it to my followers right now 🙂
Putting your dream ‘out there’ is the first sure fire way to get it going. The fact that you realise it will take time is another big step. You’ll get there. Baby steps may be small but they’ll get you to your destination eventually 🙂
So true, it’s all about the baby steps for me when it comes to a goal this big 🙂