We're turning the hosting reins over to Charlotte Druckman today to learn about Andrea Nguyen and Pim Techamuanvivit's experience collaborating on their new 'instant classic' cookbook, Cooking Thai. Pim shares her original idea for the book, how it evolved and the mission statement she settled on while Andrea explains why she felt drawn to work on her first collaboration with this project. They speak about recipe testing, the writing process and how they worked together, speaking on task division, communication styles and working through tension to create a product they're immensely proud of. Pim and Andrea each share what they learned from the other, how they challenged each other, the books they were inspired by and how they landed on an approachable yet educational tone before leaving us with some advice and a sneak peak.

Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Charlotte Druckman

• Website
• Instagram
• Sweethearts Newsletter

Pim Techamuanvivit

• Instagram

Andrea Nguyen

• Website
• Newsletter
• Instagram

Subscribe to our weekly Substack newsletter for more information about each episode and a peek at what's coming up.

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

• Cooking Thai by Andrea Nguyen and Pim Techamuanvivit
• Dishoom by Kavi Thakrar, Naved Nasir, and Shamil Thakrar
• Kitchen Remix by Charlotte Druckman
• Love in the Afternoon by Charlotte Druckman
• Cooking without Borders by Anita Lo with Charlotte Druckman

Kate and Andrea speak with cookbook collaborators Joyce Tang and Soleil Ho about their new cookbook, Bake Sum. Joyce shares her journey from project manager to bakery owner to cookbook writer and why she wanted to write this book at this time. She describes how she got connected to Soleil who speaks about how working on cookbooks tends to be a relaxing break from running a media company. They share how they divvied up the work, the decision to include stories and histories in the project and insights behind the cover image. Joyce describes the recipe testing process and the challenge to 'smallerize' recipes while Soleil talks about the book's unique organization before they each share their thoughts on working through an 'Asian Americana' lens. Finally they share the audience they hope the book reaches and the lessons they each learned along the way.

Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Joyce Tang

• Instagram
• Bake Sum Bakery

Soleil Ho

• Website
• Racist Sandwich Podcast

Subscribe to our weekly Substack newsletter for more information about each episode and a peek at what's coming up.

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

• Bake Sum by Joyce Tang and Soleil Ho

Kate and Kristin speak with Frances Abrantes Baca about her wide ranging design experience in the food media space. The founding design director of the award winning magazine Gastronimica, Frances shares her thoughts about the design elements that go into a cookbook—color, contrast, titles, page numbers, typeface, layout, covers, spines and, don't forget the table of contents. She discusses what catches her eye, what the differences in specific design roles are and where she finds inspiration before revealing what design choices draw her in and which drive her nuts. She talks about her newsletter, her process and leaves us with a few ideas and tips for authors and aspiring designers both.

Hosts: Kate Leahy + Molly Stevens + Kristin Donnelly + Andrea Nguyen

Editor: Abby Cerquitella

Mentions

Frances Abrantes Baca

• Newsletter
• Instagram

Episode 18: Pro Tips from Cookbook Critic Paula Forbes

Episode 11: Understanding Cookbook Design with Alice Chau

Episode 91: The UX of Cookbook Design

The Elements of Typographic Style by Robert Bringhurst

Sasquatch Books

Stained Page News

What Makes a Cookbook Cover Successful?

Don't Sleep on the TOC

Bay Area Women in Publishing Mentorship

Subscribe to our weekly Substack newsletter for more information about each episode and a peek at what's coming up.

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

• Wine Simple by Aldo Sohm and Christine Muhlke
• Tasting Rome by Katie Parla and Kristina Gill
• Cookbooking: a Fan's Guide by Debbie Berne
• The Design of Books by Debbie Berne