Italiano
Social networks have changed the way cookbooks are written.
Predictably, I would say!
Recipe books have a long and glorious history, starting with the magnificent civilizations of the Mediterranean, passing through the splendour of Imperial Rome, and finding their ultimate consecration in the Renaissance period.
And yet, they still survive today, paradoxically in an era in which reels and short videos explain recipes, even complicated ones, in a fairly simple and replicable way without any professional training.
How?
Well, they no longer talk exclusively about food!
A scientific study, “Food writings in a postmodern society: a discourse analysis of influencer and celebrity chef cookbooks in Belgium” (downloadable HERE), by a team of researchers from the Belgian Universities of Leuven and Gent, analyzed 18 best-selling cookbooks (in Flemish) published in Belgium between 2008 and 2018, reaching a conclusion that:
“modern cookbooks not only provide information but also aim to inspire and entertain readers”.
As if to say that the recipe is the “main course“, and personal considerations, storytelling and motivational phrases are the “side dish“.
“Modern cookbooks have evolved to serve as both sources of inspiration and information. Celebrity chefs and influencers have risen to prominence by adopting personal and entertaining approaches in their discourse (…) emphasizing the importance of family and shared values. Influencers, on the other hand, take it a step further by promoting a natural and healthy lifestyle. Their overall discourse can be summarized as encouraging individuals to strive to be the best versions of themselves.”.
So, it looks like the good old recipe book has gone through a process of “social networking”.
A new method that makes purists and old-timers turn their noses up (by the way, what doesn’t?).
On the other hand, it will attract more people, both among the new generations and the more mature ones, closer to the culinary art.
Or, if we want to be cynical: that sells!
In conclusion: do you have some great recipes and want to publish them with a nice portion of “storytelling” to go on the side?
Yours truly will be happy to assist!
Just DM me!
