In today’s episode, I interview Erica Walker, one of the four sisters behind Favorite Family Recipes, a blog that has grown from a family recipe swap into a platform featuring over 1,000 recipes and reaching more than 2 million visitors each month. Erica shares insights from their newest cookbook, Most Requested Copycat Dishes: 101 Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Restaurant Recipes, along with tips on recreating restaurant-quality dishes at home.

About Favorite Family Recipes

• Founded by Erica and her three sisters to share recipes among family
• Now features over 1,000 recipes with a monthly audience of 2 million+ readers
• Known for user-friendly recipes and family-favorite dishes

Highlights from Most Requested Copycat Dishes

• Features 101 homemade versions of beloved restaurant recipes
• Includes insider tips and step-by-step photo instructions for more challenging dishes
• Perfect for both seasoned chefs and enthusiastic home cooks

Discussion Points

• Popular and Requested Recipes: Erica talks about some of the blog's top recipes and fan favorites
• Fall Recipe Favorites: A look at Erica’s favorite recipes for the fall season
• Top Ten Tips for Creating Copycat Recipes: Erica’s best advice for recreating restaurant dishes at home

Things We Mention In This Episode

Most Requested Copy Cat Dishes

Favorite Family Recipes

Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat

In today’s episode, I’m excited to have an interview with Rose Levy Beranbaum. Rose is a legendary baking expert and author whose books have been translated into multiple languages, including Mandarin, Czech, Russian, and Spanish. Known as the "diva of desserts" and "the most meticulous baker who ever lived," Rose has published thirteen award-winning books, including The Cake Bible, Rose’s Heavenly Cakes, and Rose’s Christmas Cookies.

Today, we dive into the exciting release of the 35th Anniversary Edition of The Cake Bible, which Rose has fully revised and updated with her husband, Woody Wolston. This edition brings fresh photography, essential new content, and special occasion cakes designed for weddings or to serve large groups.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The process of updating a classic cookbook after 35 years
• New additions, including:
• Foundational cakes for every baker
• Showstopper cakes for special occasions
• Formulas to scale recipes based on the number of servings
• Photography that brings the book to life for modern readers

• Rose’s approach to being a back-listed author and keeping her books relevant
• How she balances creativity with consistency in her writing and recipes
• The routines and habits that help her stay focused on writing and testing recipes

• Rose’s wisdom on the discipline and patience required to become a successful author
• Her top tips for aspiring cookbook writers
• The importance of testing in creating foolproof recipes

Things We Mention In This Episode

Connect with Rose Levy Beranbaum online

The Cake Bible 35th Anniversary Edition

In today’s episode, I’m excited to have an interview with Sonja Overhiser, one of the creative minds behind the award-winning blog A Couple Cooks. Along with her husband Alex, Sonja has built a global following for their healthy, plant-based recipes and expertise in cocktails. Their work has been featured in Food & Wine and The Washington Post, and their blog receives millions of visitors each month. We dive into their journey from fast food to cooking from scratch, the growth of their blog, and the behind-the-scenes process of pitching and reconfiguring their book idea to land a publishing deal. Sonja also shares insights on their new book, A Couple Cooks, offering practical tips for aspiring cookbook writers along the way.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Sonja and Alex transitioned from a fast-food lifestyle to a mostly plant-based, from-scratch diet
• The inspiration behind starting their blog in 2010
• Their mission to connect readers all over the world with healthy, approachable recipes

• The journey of turning a passion for food into an award-winning blog with millions of visitors each month
• How they pitched the concept of their book to publishers and reworked it to secure a deal
• Their experience working with major publications like Food & Wine and The Washington Post

• Sonja’s and Alex’s message for readers and what they hope to inspire
• The unique cooking method featured in the book: circle and square icons to help couples or friends cook together seamlessly
• Their rigorous recipe testing process to ensure high-quality, fail-proof recipes for every home cook

• Sonja’s advice for aspiring authors seeking a book deal
• The importance of brand-building and developing a clear message before approaching publishers
• How to navigate the process of writing, pitching, and refining a cookbook concept

Things We Mention In This Episode

Join the From Kitchen to Keepsake Bootcamp which begins Monday, November 4th

A Couple Cooks

The Way to Cook by Julia Child