Top Ten Takeaways from Recipe AMA
tips + save the date for NSSA September skill building
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Dear Not So Secret Agent reader,
Last week was the first in a series of skill building sessions I am running for paid subscribers. The theme was all things RECIPES – development, writing, and testing – and I was joined by special guest Afton Cyrus.
Dozens of you showed up from across the globe. Literally.
Thank you. Truly.
Here is a summary of a few of the main takeaways.
Top 10 Takeaways :: Recipe Writing AMA
Recipe development, writing, and testing are separate but connected skills.
Each requires different expertise: developing recipes in the kitchen, translating them clearly into words, and ensuring they work for others through cross-testing.
Reliability and replicability are the gold standards.
A great recipe isn’t just tasty, it should produce the same result for anyone following it, regardless of their kitchen setup.
Always write for your audience.
Tone, language, and instructions should match the intended reader whether it’s home cooks, professional chefs, or kids.
Testing isn’t optional.
Cross-testing by others catches blind spots, uncovers missing steps, and helps ensure recipes actually work outside the author’s kitchen.
Professional testing can be a game-changer.
Many publishers now require formal recipe testing. Especially contracts with the Big Five publishers. The cost is anywhere from $75-$200 per recipe.
Know when to let a recipe go.
If it still isn’t working after multiple tests, it’s often better to cut it and revisit later than to force it through.
Document everything clearly and consistently.
Ingredient amounts, steps, and timings must match across the recipe draft. Internal style guides help keep writing consistent and professional.
Clarity beats creativity in instructions.
Be concise, precise, and avoid ambiguity especially when describing times, textures, and key visual cues.
Research before you develop.
Start by scanning cookbooks, online recipes, and cultural references to understand traditional techniques and identify what’s missing.
Recipe testing improves writers too.
Working with testers isn’t just about quality control, it teaches authors how to write clearer, more accessible recipes.
A recording of the entire session is available to all paid readers. If you upgrade your subscription in the next 24 hours, I will send you the link.
Upgrade your subscription HERE.
Save Wednesday September 24th from 1-2:30ET as the date for the next session. The theme you ask? DESIGN! Stay tuned for the announcement of the incredible special guest joining for this one. I am so excited!!!
As always, the first hour will be an overview and AMA. During the last 30 mins, I will facilitate an OFFER & ASK networking session. This is your opportunity to either make an offer to someone in our virtual room to help support their work, or to make an ask of those who might be in a position to help you with a specific career goal.
These skill building sessions are reserved for paid readers only. Want to join? Upgrade your subscription HERE. Equity spots available.
Have an idea for a skill building session theme? Leave me a comment or reply to this email. I have a number of exciting happenings lined up and am always listening for reader suggestions!
In the meantime, as we enter the final stretch of summer here in New England, I am reflecting on the pace of work and life. I’m hearing from a lot of you who are working hard on book ideas and proposals.
In service to the NSSA community, I am opening the Substack chat this THURSDAY August 7th at 9am ET until TUESDAY August 12th at 9am ET. The focus of the chat will be BOOK PROPOSALS. Feel free to drop your questions in the chat when it opens and I will reply as the flow of life allows between the 7th-12th.
Hopefully, by opening the chat to all readers across all time zones, I can get to all your questions! I believe you should get an email alert when the chat formally opens; downloading the Substack app may be the easiest way to engage with this ongoing conversation.
Click here to access the NSSA Substack chat.
Before asking your question in the chat, you may also want to refresh your memory on my guidelines. You can do that here.
The book proposal chat will be open to any/all subscribers, paid or not!
Talk soon,
~Sally~
Love cooking but struggle with following recipes. I tend to do my own thing. But I always follow a recipe the first time. It's rare to have a recipe that actually works. When it comes to writing recipes down that is definitely a skill I need to learn more about.
Hi Sally! Where can I find the replay to the skills session?