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! 💗
Mel!!! This is the BEST MOST EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT EVER!!!!! Oh my goodness, congrats! I love every single one of your recipes that I have made and you are ALWAYS my go to. Love this so so much, I can hardly wait for the cookbook and will be gifting it to EVERYONE I love!
Mel , I have been following your blog for years . This news brings a little tear to my eye . Congratulations and look forward to purchasing it.
Can’t wait!!!!
I am crying for you!!!! I love this and your sweet family and amazing recipes so much. So excited!
This is so exciting!! I’ve been following your blog longer than any other, and it’s really the only one I still go to when looking for recipes. I will definitely be buying!! Love you, Mel!!! Congratulations!!
Can’t wait! My binder of recipes is mostly your recipes anyway, so this will be a much nicer version. I hope you sell sooo many! I believe in good recipe karma. When you are generous with recipes, you will receive in return. And you have been so generous with us over the years.
Yay!!!!!!
Sign me up for a book (or 10)! Congratulations.
Mel,
I don’t buy many cookbooks, but yours will be on my shelf. It is the least I can do to show my support after all of the years of perfect recipes you have shared with us. My family knows that if it’s a Mel recipe, it is going to be great. Can’t wait to see it!
I think your blog was the first one I ever followed 🙂 Definitely the first cooking blog! I learned so much from you! My oldest is almost 16 and I started reading your blog when he was a little baby, because I needed to learn how to cook! Definitely buying this cookbook and congratulations to you!
I cannot wait!! You’re my go-to for so many recipes!!
Oh I am so excited!! You just made my day!!
I have been waiting 15 years for this book. I am so excited for you! I know it will be just beautiful. Congratulations, Mel!
I look forward to this book, wishing you great success.
It’s funny how lousy circumstances can (sometimes) lead us to great opportunities, I love to see it
I’m so excited for you! Congratulations! And similar to other comments posted, I’m sure you’d have plenty of followers come to book signings! Many of your recipes are may favorite go-tos and I have passed along so many to others also because they have enjoyed your recipes too! Best wishes and I can’t wait for November!!
Never been so excited for a Cookbook!! I am always looking in the back shadows and never make any public comments. I had to get out of my comfort zone for your cookIbook. I have loved and made many of your recipes for many years. My son’s favorite Yellow Cake and Chocolate frosting, YOURS!!!!
Thanks,
Mel
I am so excited. I love your site and recipes! I can’t wait until your cookbook goes on sale. My family loves your recipes and I always let them know it was one of your recipes that we’re enjoying at dinner.
I will so come to your back pasture!! Congratulations on the cookbook. I can’t wait to pre-order it!!
Yay!!!
So so excited for you!! This cookbook will be phenomenal! Your recipes have always been a favorite mine.
Best of luck!
Wow!! Wow!! Wow!! This is fabulous news! But Mel–we’d ALL COME if you had a cookbook tour. Obviously! And it would probably feel like a family reunion. I love it when someone asks me for the recipe of whatever I brought and I say, “Oh, do you know Mel’s Kitchen Cafe?” someone around ALWAYS says, “Oh yes, I follow Mel too.” It’s like we’re second cousins! Much love to you and your fam and the animals!
Congratulations!
Oh, my goodness!! I’m SO excited for this!! ❤️❤️❤️
Congratulations! I can’t wait for this cookbook!
I may have squealed a bit when I saw this! I have been making your recipes for years and we have so many favorites. I cannot wait. The good thing is that my birthday is in February so if I don’t get something for Christmas, I just give myself a present for my birthday. I have a feeling I know what I’m getting myself this year.
MEL!! This is so exciting!! We have been following your blog for a very long time. We LOVE your recipes! We make and share them regularly. I don’t think I’ve ever left a comment, but just know that you are practically a member of our family. In fact, around here, you’re often referred to as “my best friend, Mel.” A new recipe pops up on social media or email – “Hey, a new recipe from my best friend, Mel!” My teenage daughter made an amazing dessert and was complimented – “Thanks! It’s a recipe from my best friend Mel!”
We love you and are grateful to you for sharing so many family-friendly recipes that have become some of our very favorites over the years.
I can’t wait to order the cookbook!!
Couldn’t love this news more! Big congratulations Mel!! Now I’ll really feel like you’re in the kitchen with me! 🙂
Yay! The best news! I’ve been waiting forever for this. Can’t wait to order one 🙂
Love you Mel and your fabulous family favorite recipes!! I’m so excited for this!!
Soooo excited!!! This is a great idea and I’m looking forward to being lucky enough to buy one (or a few)!
I’m thrilled! I can’t wait! Congratulations and thank you, Mel!
I cannot be more excited! You deserve all the success in the world and I’m certain this is about to be my most favorite cookbook in existence!
This is so exciting! Congratulations!
So excited even though I’m now in assisted living without any way to cook except a microwave. Boohoo.
This is the best news!! Your recipes are my very favorite and I can’t wait to get my hands on your beautiful cookbook! Congratulations!
I’m beyond excited for this!
Yay! I am so excited for you and for me, because I will be getting a late Christmas gift. 🙂
Yayyyyyy!! I’m so excited for this news and immediately want to buy one for everyone I know!
I am so happy you are writing a cookbook! I know that I will be buying it. You are one of a few bloggers that I consistently go to when looking for a recipe because I have never been disappointed in any of yours I have tried. Congratulations on this new adventure!
Yipeeeeeeeee Mel this is great news, I can’t wait to purchase my copy as I know its going to be the best!! Well done you deserve so much success.
Love & Blessings
Colleen NZ
Take alllll my money, I’m sooo excited for you, and grateful for your amazing talent to ALWAYS have the perfect recipe for me!
Over the moon excited! What a blessing in the midst of the storm.
Anxiously awaiting your cookbook recipes. Always clear and concise instructions. Thanks a
Awesome news! I’ve been following your blog ever since I found your Bat Cake for my daughter’s 10th birthday (she just turned 21). You’ve been a great resource over the years. So very excited to see your cookbook!
Yaay, congrats! But mostly excited for me!! Haha You and your recipes are a staple in my life weekly! It will be so nice to have them right in front of me all the time! Way to go Mel!
Yep, definitely be buying this one and also for every wedding invitation I get from here on out, lol!! How incredibly exciting!!! I LOVE that cover, how beautiful! I basically have a Mel’s cookbook in my pantry anyways from all the printed recipes I have and use regularly so this will be a great upgrade.
Thank you for all the effort and work in this! Also prayers for you guys with the job loss. I’ve been there and it is not an easy thing. Especially as it lingers. (We hit 11 months before we found something and it was so hard not knowing)
I’m so stoked. I don’t buy cookbooks anymore because my eyesight is awful, only Kindle versions. HOWEVER, this is definitely going to be the exception and will proudly be displayed with the cookbook I had made with all my mom’s recipes. You are awesome, congratulations
Congratulation! I’ve loved your blog for many reasons, mostly because you taught me how bake bread, and all things yeast dough. I share your recipes with my sisters all of the time and they love them. I’m thinking this book will make a fantastic “late” Christmas gift for many people on my list.
Congrats! We have made so many recipes of yours over the years and absolutely love them! The first meals my boys ever made on their own were your recipes. I’m not normally a cookbook buyer, but I will be buying this one!
This is such amazing news! Congratulations! I have followed you for many years. You have been a part of many of our family events including yummy dinners. I can’t wait to see your book and drool over every page. Thank you for all your hard work, dedication, and sharing your real life with all of us.