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If you’re passionate about food and cooking, you may have always dreamed about creating your very own cookbook. Knowing where to start, however, can be tricky. Writing and publishing a cookbook is a structured process that takes time and planning.
First, you choose a clear idea and audience. Then you plan your structure, develop and test your recipes, and decide how you want to publish. The most successful cookbooks combine a strong concept, reliable recipes, clear writing, and the right publishing route.
So, if you’ve got an idea for an exciting new cookbook simmering away, this guide breaks the process down into seven simple steps.
1. How do you find your cookbook's focus?
Behind every great cookbook is an interesting theme. If you want to write your own cookbook, you may already have a concept. If you don’t, it’s worth taking some time to think about your focus and subject matter. Ask yourself:
- What food excites me most?
- What do I cook better than most people?
- Who is this cookbook for?
Possible focuses include:
- A specific cuisine or region
- Quick weeknight meals
- Vegan or gluten-free cooking
- Dinner party hosting
- Baking or desserts
- Seasonal cooking
Once you’ve found your concept, try narrowing it further. There are thousands of cookbooks published each year in the UK, but only a few hundred sell more than 100 copies. Even fewer sell more than 1,000 (in 2020, 5,000 cookbooks were published in the UK, but only 48 sold more than 5,000 copies).
- Vegan cooking → high-protein vegan meals
- Italian food → plant-based Italian recipes
- Baking → low-sugar baking for families
A focused idea helps your book stand out. If you’re not sure what your focus would be, think about what excites you most about cooking. Having knowledge and skill is important, but passion is key too. Which foods do you love; which cuisines inspire you?
Be honest about where your passion and talents lie, and think about how you could show these off in a book. Looking at your own life and experience may help here. Maybe you’ve lived in another country and have a unique take on fusion food? Or, perhaps your grandmother showed you how to cook traditional recipes and you’ve added your own modern twist?
Bear in mind that the best cookbooks don’t only contain great recipes. They’re also authentic and bring something new to the table – both literally and figuratively!
2. What style should your cookbook have?
Once you know what your focus will be, it’s time to decide on your style. Do you want your cookbook to just contain a list of recipes, or do you want it to tell a story? Some cookbooks are all about fuss-free recipes, but others are interwoven with personal stories and anecdotes. Common cookbook styles include:
- Recipe-led (simple and practical)
- Story-driven (personal memories and travel)
- Educational (techniques and skills)
- Lifestyle-focused (food, culture, and storytelling)
Having a clear vision of your style will help prospective publishers understand your book more easily. If you’re unsure what style you want your book to take, try reading as much as you can. Then, think about whether those books could work for your idea. Look at books recommended by publications such as BBC Good Food and Vogue to see different approaches.
3. How should you structure your cookbook?
Now you have an idea and style in mind, the next thing to do is to create an outline of your book’s contents. Good cookbooks aren’t just compilations of recipes; they also have a cohesive flow. Common structures include:
- By meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert)
- By season
- By ingredient
- By cooking method
- By occasion
If you’re writing a cookbook full of personal anecdotes and stories, your structure can be a bit quirkier. For example:
- Comfort food
- Quick weekday meals
- Celebration dishes
- Rainy day recipes
- Recipes children will love
Ultimately, you can follow whatever outline and structure you like, but it needs to take readers on a clear journey. Each recipe should slot neatly into one of your sections; this makes it easy for the reader to look at the list of contents and find the recipes they’re interested in making.
4. How do you choose which recipes to include?
If you want to write your own cookbook, you probably already have a bunch of recipes in mind. So, consider which recipes are most important to you and which ones you think your book absolutely must contain. It’s best to try to include at least 10% more recipes than you think you need, as some may be removed in the editing process.
If you’ve struggled to create a structure for your cookbook, you may find that compiling a list of your favourite recipes helps. For example, if you realise you have an abundance of soup recipes, you may find that you want to dedicate a whole chapter to soups.
If you’re having trouble deciding which recipes to include, speak to your friends and family and ask for feedback; what are their favourite dishes that you make for them?
5. Why is recipe testing so important?
Once you have your recipes, it’s time to test them! A cookbook succeeds only if readers can recreate your dishes. When testing recipes:
- Use accurate measurements
- Record exact cooking times
- Write clear, detailed steps
- Test each recipe at least twice
- Ask others to follow your instructions
Instead of writing “beat the eggs,” write short, precise instructions. For example: “Beat for one minute until light and fluffy.”
Remember to triple check your measurements. While editors will keep an eye on typos, they won’t know if 150g was really meant to be 250g. It’s a good idea to ask friends or family to test your recipes themselves, so you know exactly how clear your instructions are and how the food comes out.
As you test your recipes, you should think about what other information you can include, aside from the recipe itself. You can also include:
- Ingredient substitutions
- Serving suggestions
- Personal introductions to recipes
For further guidance, this article from Bon Appetit may be helpful.
6. Do cookbooks need photography?
While including photos in your cookbook isn’t necessary, studies show that readers prefer them.
If you’re hoping to have your cookbook published by a traditional publishing house, they’ll probably want to hire professional food stylists and photographers. However, it’s still helpful to take your own high-quality photos. This ensures the editors can imagine the end result and may help them feel more enthusiastic. If you’re planning on self-publishing, you may also want to think about professional food styling and photography.
If you’re taking photos yourself, try to:
- Use high-resolution images
- Shoot in natural light
- Keep styling simple
- Stay consistent throughout the book
To improve your food styling skills, have a read of this guide by Flour and Floral. And, to learn more about food photography, check out this guide by Light Stalking.
For more general guidance, you might want to read our articles, A beginner’s guide to photography and How to take better photos with your phone.
7. Should you self-publish or use a traditional publisher?
Once done all the steps above, the final step is publishing your cookbook. This is often the most challenging part of the process.
Ultimately, you have two main publishing options: traditional publishing and self-publishing. Before deciding which avenue is right for you, you may first want to read our article, How to write a book and get it published, which examines the pros and cons of each method and offers detailed advice on how to pursue each option.
However, below we’ll explore each option as they relate to cookbooks.
Self-publishing
Self-publishing is now quick, accessible, and increasingly popular. If you already run a food blog or plan to publish an ebook, this could be the ideal route for you.
It’s especially suitable if your cookbook is:
- A personal passion project
- A family keepsake
- A gift for friends and loved ones
- A niche book for a specific audience
However, self-publishing isn’t just for small projects. Many authors achieve wide commercial success this way.
What are the benefits of self-publishing?
One of the biggest advantages is control. You manage every part of the process.
With self-publishing, you control:
- Your publishing timeline
- The cover design
- The book layout
- The pricing
- Your marketing strategy
Thanks to print-on-demand technology, printing costs are relatively low. Yet the finished book can still look polished and professional.
What professional support should you consider?
Even though you’re in control, investing in professional help can make a big difference.
It’s wise to hire:
- A professional editor
- A cover designer
- A food photographer (if your book includes images)
Your cover is especially important. It strongly influences sales and first impressions.
Because Amazon does not distinguish between self-published and traditionally published books, your cookbook will appear alongside major publishing titles. A professional cover helps it compete confidently.
Should you publish print, ebook, or both?
You don’t have to print physical copies. Publishing as an ebook can:
- Reduce upfront costs
- Remove concerns about storage
- Eliminate supply and delivery logistics
- Allow faster updates and revisions
For many first-time authors, digital publishing is a practical starting point. Amazon is the world’s largest self-publishing platform, and publishing there is quick and easy. Even if you’re planning on working with another self-publishing company, most of your sales will almost certainly be coming through Amazon, so it’s worth taking time to familiarise yourself with it.
For more details on self-publishing your cookbook with Amazon, have a read of this handy guide.
Traditional publishing
If you want your cookbook to reach a wide audience, traditional publishing may be the right path. A book deal with a publishing house can offer professional support, wider distribution, and stronger marketing opportunities.
However, the process can be competitive. Cookbook publishing works differently from fiction, and large publishers rarely accept submissions directly from individuals. For this reason, having a literary agent can significantly improve your chances.
If you’re interested in getting an agent, you can find and contact agents on sites like Publishers Marketplace (for a monthly fee), though you can also check out this list of UK literary agents.
Why do you need a literary agent?
While an agent isn’t always essential, they can make the process much easier. A literary agent can:
- Submit your cookbook to publishers on your behalf
- Negotiate contracts and advances
- Help shape your proposal
- Offer industry advice and contacts
- Support your long-term career development
What if you don’t have an agent?
If you’re unable to secure an agent, you can still explore other options. Small, independent, or local publishers are often more open to direct submissions. In this case, you’ll usually need to prepare a book proposal.
A strong cookbook proposal should include:
- A clear description of your cookbook’s concept
- A chapter outline or recipe list
- Sample recipes or writing
- Information about you and your audience
- Your platform or marketing ideas
For more information on putting together a proposal for your cookbook, check out this article by Penguin. And, to find out more general information on getting a book deal with a publishing house, as well as securing an agent, have a read of our article on getting your book published.
Final thoughts…
Writing a cookbook can be a labour of love, but the process can also be incredibly enjoyable. Finding your focus, developing recipes, and testing them on loved ones is both challenging and rewarding. Researching other cookbooks may also introduce you to new ideas and flavours along the way.
Whether you hope to secure a traditional book deal or self-publish, creating a cookbook is a meaningful way to share your recipes and experiences. It can also become something personal to pass down through your family. You may even inspire the next generation of cooks!
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