Many aspiring cookbook authors believe they need to finish writing their book before pitching it to publishers. It sounds logical — but it often leads to years of uncertainty, backtracking, and stalled momentum.

In this episode, Maggie explains why traditional cookbook publishing is a process, not a guessing game, and how clarity — not a finished manuscript — is what leads to a book deal and an advance.

You'll learn:

• why publishers buy concepts, positioning, and authors — not finished manuscripts
• how lack of clarity creates hesitation for agents and editors
• the hidden trap of writing first and pitching later
• what it means to become a deal-ready cookbook author
• the three essentials needed to pursue a traditional cookbook deal

If you've been thinking, "I'll finish the book and figure out publishing later," this episode will help you see a clearer path forward.

👉 Register for the free masterclass: Get Paid to Write a Cookbook
and learn the step-by-step path to position your cookbook for a traditional deal and get paid before you write.

Today I'm excited to have an interview with Abby Cheshire. Abby is a private chef, culinary educator, and content creator best known for her social media presence as @abbyinthegalley. With experience cooking on luxury yachts and for private clients, Abby shares what it's really like to work as a chef from high-pressure yacht kitchens to immersive dinner events while teaching accessible global recipes and telling stories through food.

Before we get started, I want to share a quick invitation. If you are a food, nutrition, or culinary expert — a chef, dietitian, food blogger, culinary educator, caterer, or passionate home cook with a message to share — and you want to understand what traditional publishers are looking for in 2026, I'd love to invite you to my upcoming masterclass: Get Paid to Write a Cookbook.

In this class, you'll learn how to craft a viable cookbook concept that attracts agents and publishers, understand what publishers are looking for right now, and build three deal-ready essentials so you feel confident and prepared to pitch.

If you're ready to stop guessing and gain a clear path to traditional publishing, you can register at https://www.cookbookwritersacademy.com/getpaidmasterclass. The link is also below in the show notes, and I would love to see you there.

In my conversation with Abby, we talked about her experience cooking on luxury yachts, what it's like working as a private chef in high-pressure environments, and how she built a loyal audience by sharing the real behind-the-scenes life of a chef. We also discuss her new book, Passport to Flavor: 100 Global Dishes You Can Make Anywhere, and how she helps beginning cooks and adventurous eaters gain confidence cooking cuisines from around the world — right in their own kitchens. So without further delay, let's dive into this conversation with Abby Cheshire.

Things We Mention In This Episode:

Free Masterclass: Become a Paid Cookbook Author — and Turn Your Recipes Into Income + Impact

Abby in the Galley

Hello, and welcome to another episode of the podcast. Before we dive into our interview today, I want to let you know I have a very special masterclass coming up called How to Get Paid to Write a Cookbook. In this clas,s I will help you:

• Discover what traditional publishers want in 2026

• Position yourself for a publishing deal without years of trial & error

• Craft a viable cookbook concept that attracts agents & publishers

• Build three deal-ready essentials to help you feel prepared

To register, head over to Cookbook Writers Academy.

Today on the podcast, I'm excited to have an interview with Susan Gravely. is the Founder and CEO Emerita of VIETRI, a lifestyle brand offering handcrafted Italian tabletop and home-and-garden accessories. She started VIETRI alongside her sister and mother after they took a magical trip to Italy in 1983. They fell in love with the hand-painted dinnerware we found on the Amalfi Coast and decided to start a wholesale business. Since that trip forty years ago, VIETRI has become the largest American importer of Italian ceramics. Susan is the author of 2 books Italy on a Plate, which we discussed in Episode 234, and today her newest book Italy in a Glass, where Susan explores the Italian ritual of aperitivo, where cocktails, mocktails, and small bites set the stage for festive gatherings. Inspired by her own experiences in Italy, Gravely shares the art of entertaining Italian-style, blending personal stories with time-tested recipes and tips from her Italian friends. Today on the show we talk about:

• Building VIETRI: From a Family Discovery to a Global Brand

• Italy, Craftsmanship, and Living Beautifully

• Cookbook Writing & Storytelling Through Food

• Leadership, Legacy, and Susan's Next Chapter as CEO Emerita

Things We Mention In This Episode:

Come learn how to get paid to write a cookbook in this free masterclass

Vietri: Fine Italian Ceramic Dinnerware and Decor

Italy in a Glass: Adventures, Aperitivi, Antipasti