A Huge Announcement (I Never Thought I’d Make)
UPDATE: Pre-orders are finally live!! Order your cookbook here. 🎉
You guys, I swore I would never, ever publish a cookbook. But it’s happening.
EEEK! It’s happening!
And I am so, so excited to tell you more about it.
The Quick Back Story
As you know, I’ve been food blogging for over 15 years. Many, many, many of my fellow food bloggers published cookbooks by the droves years (even decades) ago. Many are still publishing them.
Even though having my own cookbook has been a filed away bucket list item, I always said I would never write or publish a cookbook. Because a) lack of time and b) lack of time.
Over the years, I’ve declined offers from small publishers and fielded hundreds of questions from readers asking if I’ll ever do a cookbook. It never felt like the right time – especially with the sheer amount of work that goes into writing and publishing a cookbook.
Fast forward to earlier this year.
Brian’s position at work was eliminated and we found ourselves facing an unemployment situation we didn’t see coming. Around this time, we also had several other pretty overwhelming issues on our plate.
I was surprised in the midst of all this chaos to get a feeling that I should write a cookbook (this feeling came after talking to a dear blogging friend, Si from A Bountiful Kitchen). As I sat on that thought for a while, I realized that maybe for the first time in 15 years, despite the current stress I was feeling, it really WAS the right time.
Brian has always worked a traditional corporate job with long hours at the office, but with him unexpectedly being home more, we decided to capitalize on the extra help and time he had available to assist with kid/family life so I could take the plunge on the cookbook front, which would a) fulfill a dream of mine and b) have the cookbook sales hopefully help a bit with the loss of income (giving Brian some breathing room to figure out his next steps career-wise).
And here we are!! Seven months later, the cookbook is *almost* ready to go to print, and it is hard to believe it has actually become a reality.
It has been so much more work than I anticipated. Like, if I had known how much writing and editing and recipe testing and dirty dishes (!!) would be involved, I would have shoved that little random cookbook thought to the side and gone on my merry, stressy way.

But…it is going to be incredible. And so worth it! I know I’m biased, but it is one of the most beautiful books I’ve ever beheld. Cover-to-cover, every detail is intentional and meticulously placed.
Do you want to see a sneak peek of the cover?? I just got the cover samples mailed to me this week! (It’s hard to see it in the photo, but the cover and spine have this amazing debossed effect – it in the photo – it gives the book such a unique look and feel 😍)

I promise to give a lot more details in the next few weeks and months about what the process has been like and information on what’s to come! If you are on Instagram, I’ll be sharing a lot of info in the stories there.
I also pre-emptively answered a few questions below that might help!
Mostly, I want you to know that it’s because of you that this cookbook is happening. If it weren’t for all of your support for so.many.years, I wouldn’t even have this opportunity. And for all of you who have patiently asked and asked and asked when I’ll write a cookbook, this book is *finally* for you!
Thank you for being here and for supporting me. It means more than you know. 💗💗💗
UPDATE: I’ve updated some of the information below as I get new details on the timeline!
Pre-sale will happen in November! Make sure you are subscribed to my email list – I’ll announce all the details there first!
Books will ship April 22!
Over 140 recipes! This book is solid!
Well…it definitely has a few pictures of cute pigs and farm life! 🤣
But it is mostly loaded with tons of tried-and-true recipes. Because the book is meant to be a timeless anthem to my most-loved and most-made recipes, it includes many existing recipes. But there are also brand, new recipes in the book that I cannot wait for you to try (it’s been so hard not telling you about them already – spoiler alert: the most amazing chicken tacos you’ll ever meet and a new brownie recipe that is wow, wow, wow!).
Yes, there is a photo with every single recipe! And many of the photos are brand new, updated, and (I don’t want to toot my own horn here) really quite lovely. Additionally, there are photos of farm life, kitchen life, and maybe even one of me hiding in the pantry eating chocolate chips. 😬
Unless the book tour consists of me wearing sweatpants and a hoodie and greeting everyone in my back pasture with the cows and pigs, likely, no. I’m too much of a homebody for a book tour (also: what if no one came??), BUT, I will have some special advanced, signed copies available. More details to come on that!
I am working out the details for this, but it is proving to be quite tricky to get reasonable rates for international shipping as a small business. If you are interested in international shipping, I’ll set up a way for you to contact me directly for a custom quote!
Thank you so much for your genuine kindness and support! 💗
Oh my. It’s happening? Over 15 years ago I googled ‘best banana bread’ and somehow found your site and have never looked back. We have since thrown out all other recipe books and cook exclusively from you- visiting your site often multiple times a day when I can’t face sifting through the massive pile of Mel’s print outs. Everyone we know here in Vancouver has been forcibly converted to Mel’s devoted followers and my university and teen aged kids now cook exclusively from you- the recipes they grew up on when their mom found Mel and stopped being a garbage cook. Can. Not. Wait to buy this for myself and my kids so we can have a bonfire with the mountain of print-outs in my kitchen (some printed out multiple times-looking at you French bread rolls. . and also pizza dough. . and sugar cookies. . and chicken taquitos.. and etc. etc. ) Also- if you ever did a book tour in Vancouver -you couldn’t keep our family away. CONGRATS!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
So exciting!!! I will definitely order one! I use your recipes all the time, several times a week! Can’t wait!
Best. News. EVER!!!! Is it weird to be SO PROUD of you even if we’ve never met? So so so happy for you and this huge accomplishment!!
Congratulations, Mel ~ can’t wait to see your new cookbook!
Congratulations Mel! This will be a treasure for many but esp. for your children and grandchildren… Something that will live on for generations! Thank you for your great example! Best wishes to your husband as well!
I am excited for February!
I’m so excited! I am not usually a cookbook buyer, but this one will be added to my meager collection. I make so many of your recipes every week that you are a household name here…as you are in countless other households across the world. We love you! Thank you for all your countless hours and dedication.
Yea! Congrats. I have so many favorite recipes from your site I finally made my own Mel’s Kitchen Cafe cookbook from printouts on your site. So excited to see what you’ve put in there. I will absolutely support this, you’ve given me countless tips and help over the years and I’m so thankful I can finally give back. I’m grateful that you could use this change in employment this way.
Also one hope is that there are a few blank pages in the back so I can add my very favorites that don’t make the cut.
So looking forward to the presale in November. Happy Birthday to me.
Gah! SO Excited for you! And for me! Yes! Yes! Yes! If we need another cookbook from anyone, we need a Mel’s cookbook! Can’t wait to order it and see it! Such lovely news, makes my day!
Congrats Mel.
So glad you are being blessed with such a wonderful opportunity.
Karen Oliver
So incredibly happy for you (which feels weird, honestly, because I don’t know you, other than this blog, but nevertheless, I feel like I *do* know you!)
I’ve been making your recipes for over 11 years (one of the first things I made for my now husband was from your early days … we met in 2010 and married in 2011!)
You’ve been in my thoughts and prayers for years and I’ll be first in the digital queue to get your book!
BIG Congrats Mel!!!❤ Your name and recipes have been part of our family for a very long time. As they bite down into mind blowing deliciousness, the words soon come, “Is this Mel’s?”
Nod and a wink
THIS IS THE BEST NEWS!!!!!!
I have followed your website for 12 years and so many times I thought, “What will I ever do if Mel’s website crashes or isn’t around one day?! I won’t be able to cook for my family!!!” About 99.9% of the food I make for our family of seven comes from you!
I am so grateful you’ve decided to do this! The cookbook cover is beautiful and I am preordering it the first day that I can!!!!!
THANK YOU sooooo much! You’re really the best, Mel! Such a blessing to all of us!
Hooray!!
Couldn’t be more excited for this! Your blog is my go to food blog and you never let me down! I love to cook and bake and you make me look good! I will be preordering for sure!
YAY! That is all. I can’t wait!! Congrats!
So so sooooo excited!!! Just yesterday I was lamenting again that you don’t have a cookbook out! So grateful for you and for your time and energy! You’ve lead me along on my cooking journey and I’m just so appreciative! I can’t wait to have your cookbook in my hands and making stains on the many pages as I feed those I love well! Congratulations!!
Your recipes have been the backbone of my kitchen cooking for several years now, because they always turn out perfectly. The care you take in testing really shows through! Plus, the fact that they are kid approved means a lot to me, since it means I will enjoy them as well (since my preferred pallet is pretty simple too.) I can’t wait for the cookbook and to give it as Christmas gifts for my family. Thanks for this labor of love.
Well Mel…. I am excited for you and I am anxious to get your cookbook…I have used many of your recipes and have never been disappointed ….Douglas
Mel I am so excited to buy your cookbook! I have printed out your recipes for probably over a decade?! Your blog is my favorite resource and I will be so happy to see all of your hard work in print!! Congrats on all that has gone in to your blog, business and now book!!
One request – I hope it will it be able to lay flat looking at a recipe? This is one of my struggles with some (even particularly successful cookbooks) haha!
Exciting, I can’t WAIT to get it!!
I’m so excited!!!
Congratulations Mel! Will I be able to get a copy shipped to Canada? ❤️
Yay! I was so hoping this was the special announcement you had to make. I will definitely be prepurchasing as gifts to my daughter and daughters-in-law for Christmas. I hope this blesses you and your family as much as your recipes have blessed mine! ❤️
Oh my gosh! This is so exciting! I cannot wait… I am ready to pre-order and have this book! Your blog/recipes have been my go-to for years. Many recipes have made the rotation and become favorites in our home (hello, honey-glazed chicken!).
I’m excited for you and glad the time was finally right for you! Love the cover and can’t wait to see the rest 🙂
Wonderful news! You just made my Monday! My son and daughter were raised on your recipes! My husband knows that if I say Mel, it will be an excellent meal or baked good! You’ve been my favorite blogger for 15 years. Blessings on your new cookbook and your family is in my prayers! Looking forward to purchasing asap!
Been waiting for this! Can’t wait to buy your book!
Yay! You did it! I’m clapping my hands right now! Can’t wait to have a copy for myself. 🙂
BEST NEWS EVER!!! Thank you for making this happen!
This is the best news for a Monday!!!
Why is this making me all teary-eyed??!! Mel I’m so excited for you! And excited for the rest of us, obviously. We have all been waiting for this for ages!
I am so excited!
Yes!!! This is the best news to receive on a Monday morning! Our family loves you so much and I will be ever grateful to you for helping me to become a good cook the past thirteen years. I am beyond excited!
Yay!! I am a long time follower and will be ordering one for sure! I promise you that if you do a book tour, people will come. If you change your mind, please consider Lincoln or Omaha Nebraska 🙂
Can’t wait to get a copy! Congrats on such a huge endeavor!
Yay!!! I am so excited for you and I can’t wait to get it! How brave of you to go for your dream, especially in the middle of so many challenges. Thank you for inspiring me in the kitchen and in life!
Can’t wait to get my hands on one of these beautiful cook books. Congratulations and yay for all of us lucky ducks that will get to purchase!
I’ve been following your blog since you were mykitchencafe and I am so excited for your cookbook! Food is often what brings my family together and your recipes are pretty much the only ones I make. You have helped us establish many holiday food traditions and we have many gifts/games/books from your recommendations. Thank you for enriching our lives! Can’t wait for the cookbook!
As always I’m so proud of you!!! Thanks for giving this your all and I canNOT wait to get my hands on a signed copy. So so so amazing.
Absolutely best news this morning! Congratulations, I’m betting it will be a great success! You are the best, Mel.
This is awesome news, Mel! I’m so excited for your cookbook. Thank you for all the hard work you do here on the blog and also for the book. Cannot wait to have it in my hands!!
So proud of your great accomplishment, Mel! Your website is always my go to for a new recipe and has been for many years now. I appreciate you!
I am so excited for this! I always make sure to see if you have a recipe for something first before I try any other one, because I know it will be amazing. Thank you for doing all of the dirty work for us can’t wait to get this into my kitchen!!!
Oh, I am so excited about your book! I will definitely pick it up for pre-order!
You’ve got a special magic in the and the recipes are easy!
I was hoping to get something in print like this.
Now, when are you joining in on the food network?
CONGRATS!!! Such an amazing announcement. While I have silently followed along for years, I couldn’t sit by silently for this post.
You are amazing and I cannot wait to preorder your book. I have ordered a lot of cookbooks and most of them have 3-5 recipes at most that my family will actually eat. So they mainly sit unused. However, your recipes are the only ones I know my family will eat and so I cannot wait to support you by purchasing your cookbook, and to have a cookbook I can actually cook from!!
I’m so excited and happy for you! Out of all the recipes I’ve followed, yours have consistently given me the best results. With your help, I look like a pretty good cook and baker! Many, many thanks.
FINALLY! I am so excited and will be buying one for myself, my mom, sister, and each of my three college kids! 🙂 I am so happy for you!
The cover does look unique – great photo btw! Can’t wait to preorder!
Best news!!! Love this so much and I haven’t even looked through it yet! I don’t know how the business side works, but this would be perfect for local Costcos in Utah and Idaho. You’re amazing!
I love your recipes and look forward to purchasing one of your cookbooks also.
I am SO happy for you! This is amazing. I will probably be able to throw out my binder of recipes now since they are 90% yours!