Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast. Today on the show I present an interview with Sheldon Simeon about his new cookbook, Ohana Style.

Born and raised in Maui, Sheldon is a chef, restaurateur, husband, father, and former Top Chef competitor. Alongside his wife Tiffany, he owns Tiffany's and Tin Roof Maui. In this conversation, Sheldon shares the deeper meaning of "ohana" and how the spirit of hospitality, family, and community shaped both his life and his cooking.

Listeners will hear:

• The difference between indigenous Hawaiian cuisine and plantation-era immigrant influences

• Why Sheldon wanted the cookbook to feel approachable and welcoming

• Stories about his father, Papa Ray, and the community cookbook influence behind many recipes

• Creative techniques for building smoky flavor and layered texture at home

• Plant-based alternatives inspired by traditional Hawaiian dishes

• The inspiration behind recipes like Papa Ray's Tuna Patties, Furikake Animal Crackers, Pork Belly Tocino, and Mandarin Microwave Mochi

Sheldon also talks about growing up in a house where people constantly gathered around food and how those experiences shaped his understanding of generosity and connection. This episode is a reminder that cookbooks are about more than recipes. They preserve stories, culture, memory, and belonging.

Things We Mention in This Episode:

Chef Sheldon Simeon

Welcome to another episode of the Cookbook Love Podcast.

Before we get started, the doors are now open for Cookbook Writing Foundations for a very limited time, my new program for aspiring cookbook authors who want to move from cookbook idea to clear direction.

Inside the program, I'll help you stop sitting on your cookbook idea and finally begin building it with confidence. Whether you want to preserve family recipes, share your expertise, grow your business, or create something meaningful to pass on, this program will help you make the decisions and take the steps that move cookbook projects forward. Visit Cookbook Writers Academy to learn more and enroll before the doors close.

Today on the show, I have an interview with Domenica Marchetti, author of nine cookbooks, including her newest release, Italian Cookies.

In this conversation, Domenica shares the story behind researching and writing a cookbook dedicated to the cookie traditions of all 20 regions of Italy. We talk about the bakery visits, travel experiences, regional specialties, and cultural traditions that shaped the book, as well as the creative process of developing and testing recipes inspired by generations of Italian bakers.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Domenica researched cookie traditions across all regions of Italy

• What bakery visits and travel taught her about recipe development and storytelling

• Her journey from newspaper journalism to becoming a nine-time cookbook author

• Why consistency, observation, and decision-making matter in cookbook writing

• The connection between food traditions, culture, and community

Things We Mention in This Episode:

Domenica Cooks Italian Cookies

Learn more about Cookbook Writing Foundations Program

Welcome to Episode 400 of the Cookbook Love Podcast!

If you've been thinking about writing a cookbook, collecting recipes, organizing ideas, or waiting for the right time to begin, I invite you to join my free masterclass happening now:

Stop Dreaming About Writing a Cookbook, Start with a Clear Plan.

Inside the class, I'll walk you through the decisions that actually move cookbook projects forward so you can stop circling the idea and start building your book with clarity and direction. If writing a cookbook has been on your heart for a while, this is a chance to take a real next step.

Learn more and register at:
Cookbook Writers Academy

In this special episode, I'm reflecting on one of the biggest lessons I've learned after 400 episodes talking with cookbook writers, authors, and aspiring creators. I'm sharing what I've seen over and over again about what actually gets a cookbook written and published and why the difference is often not talent, timing, or opportunity, but willingness.

If you've been thinking about writing a cookbook but keep waiting for more time, more clarity, or the "right" moment, this episode is for you. I talk about the difference between feeling ready and deciding to begin, the quiet ways we stay in preparation mode, and how repetition and consistency are what truly move projects forward.

In this episode, I share:

• Why willingness matters more than readiness
• What 400 episodes taught me about consistency and follow-through
• The subtle ways we delay the projects we care about most
• The story of finally submitting my first cookbook proposal
• Why creating space and structure matters if you want your cookbook to happen

If you've been thinking about writing a cookbook, collecting recipes, organizing ideas, or waiting for the right time to begin, I invite you to join my free masterclass happening now:

Stop Dreaming About Writing a Cookbook, Start with a Clear Plan.

Inside the class, I'll walk you through the decisions that actually move cookbook projects forward so you can stop circling the idea and start building your book with clarity and direction. If writing a cookbook has been on your heart for a while, this is a chance to take a real next step.

Learn more and register at:
Cookbook Writers Academy