3 months since the last cookbook update – so much to share!!
In the last cookbook update, I chirpily reported that the recipes had been created, the manuscript written, and I’d made a good dent in photographing the recipes.
That’s pretty much the cookbook done, things should be slowing down, right?
WRONG!!!
If anything the last 2 1/2 months have been the hardest in this cookbook making process. Take a peek in my camera roll to see what’s been going on!
Lights, camera, action!
See behind the scenes video on Instagram.
I do NOT like to be on the other side of the camera! But my publisher Pan Macmillan put their foot down and said I’d need to be in the cookbook too. And apparently the usual selfies I share here on my website wouldn’t cut it.
Honestly, why they think selfies like this aren’t good enough for a printed book is beyond me……. 😂😂😂
So we had a series of shoot days lined up with a professional photographer and even with “H&M”, which I initially thought was in reference to the chain clothing store H&M (what’s wrong with my clothes?? I huffily thought.)
Turns out, “H&M” stands for “hair and make up”. 😂
We even brought in a stylist for a big shoot day. Someone to make sure I looked respectable, and who was there to tell me to pull my shoulders back and suck my gut in…… 😂
That’s Sally Bruce, a Sydney stylist. We brought her in to help choose outfits for me and my team so that we’d look like, well, a team. Instead of worrying about some people (ahem, mum, I’m looking at YOU) turning up in hot pink.
Here we are in our shot – mum and I. Just what you picture for a mother-daughter photo, right? 😂 Well, at least she’s wearing on-brand colours. No hot pink in sight – he he!
These shoot days were BIG. Lots of people in my house, high levels of energy. And, not surprisingly, LOTS of food! The photo below is from the biggest food-shoot-day which involved a table laden with food and my entire team in a shot.
I can’t show you THE photo because it will be a spoiler! Also, because I didn’t take that photo, I need to respect the copyright of the photographer.
And in case you’re wondering, Dozer got his share of the limelight. See today’s Life of Dozer section below for an update!
Ripping up the cookbook…. then stitching it together again
There’s a little behind the scenes video – watch it here on Instagram!
In late April, I worked out of my publisher’s office to do some ruthless strategising about the contents of the cookbook which involved slashing recipes and chapters I’d spent many, many hours on.
This was a tough process. I might be smiling in the photo above, but inside I was crying.
OK OK I’m being a bit dramatic. 😂 I didn’t actually shed tears.
These days were productive, important milestones in the cookbook process as we weighed up key decisions that would affect how many pages the book would have, the quality of the paper (glossier = thicker = more expensive and heavier), the material of the book cover and therefore, ultimately, all of this leading to the quality and price of the book.
I actually enjoyed the strategic thinking behind this part of the project. Here I am with my publisher, Ingrid from Pan Macmillan, with a photo of all the recipes up on a wall as we went through what I described as “ripping up then stitching the cookbook back together again”!
And here I am with some of the casualties.
But every cloud has a silver lining, right?? So ditching these recipes from the cookbook means they’ll end up on this website!
Proof reading torture.
I’m not gonna lie. I hate proof reading.
I am not built for the detail oriented concentration and discipline required to proof read.
And it’s a task that takes So. Much. Time.
I am not talking one or two days. I am talking hundreds of hours. In fact, my team and I have spent (in aggregate) over 250 hours on proof reading over the past couple of months. AGGGGHHH!!!! 😩
I find food helps me through it. Here I am on a proof reading day at Pan Macmillan with cheesecake to push me through the day.
As much as I don’t enjoy proof reading, I know how important this process is to ensure the accuracy and quality of the end result. So I pushed through, checking and re-reading from front to back, over and over and again. Late nights….
…..through Dozer’s attempts to sabotage the process….
…..and even through blackouts. YES THIS REALLY HAPPENED just last week. I was on a critical absolutely-no-buffer-left-in-the-timetable deadline and BOOM! Black out.
So I simply worked on into the night using candles and my head torch. 😂
Almost finished!
As I’m bashing away on the keyboard writing this post, the cookbook files are being prepared to send to the printers. Which means – IT IS SO CLOSE! I don’t want to celebrate until the printing actually starts because things can change right up to the last minute.
You might think I’m being dramatic but I kid you not, the hero photo of me in the cookbook was just re-shot yesterday. Talk about last minute dramas!!!
But the good thing about last minute?
No one to do my hair.
No one to do my make up.
No clothing stylist.
It was me, my Revlon, and my K-mart t shirt.
Don’t worry, that’s not the shot! We had a professional photographer do it – and he even had a proper camera 😂.
What next?
Back to regular new recipes! My first goal is to get back to sharing new recipes regularly on my website! It honestly surprised me, how much I’ve missed it. I’d come on here as a “treat” to see what you guys are making, read and respond to questions, and think about new recipes to share.
In fact, the moment I had a couple of days spare last week, I used it to create, test, photograph and film the Teriyaki Salmon Noodles I shared last Thursday! Plus we made a little Behind The Scenes video – watch it on Instagram.
Cookbook marketing phase – This will be interesting! But also daunting, thinking about the prospect of doing book signings (what if no one shows up!! 😭) or cooking demos (what if I muck up!! 😭) and the idea of doing interviews with magazines (the camera puts on 10 pounds!! 😭). Hopefully with Dozer. I think I’m going to have a blanket policy – no Dozer, no interview! 😈
Speaking of Dozer. It’s his turn in the spotlight now! Though I expect some of you already skipped down to read Life of Dozer before coming back to read about ME. And you know I secretly love that. 😉
More updates coming soon – we have some fun events coming up I’m looking forward to sharing with you.
And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your unconditional support. Your messages lifted me on the toughest days throughout what has been the hardest project of my career. I feel so very fortunate. – Nagi x
Life of Dozer
Oh Dozer! What an incredible couple of months it’s been for you!
Big shoot days with professionals…. so much expensive gear to squeeze yourself under, so many people cooing over you….
Then there was that exciting day when you went into a professional photography studio – we even made a video of it!
Honestly, you were a natural, totally at home in front of the camera.
Well, with the help of a little chicken. 😂
And boy did we get some epic shots!!!
I’m pleased to see that this endless rain in Sydney isn’t bothering you in the slightest and you’re enjoying your daily belly-mud-mask. In fact, you apply it yourself. Well done! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
However, we still need to discuss your understanding of boundaries.
When I say that you’re not allowed into the shoot area, that means no part of you is allowed in. Just because only 10% (your head) is breaching the barrier, it doesn’t mean you are 90% obeying the rules. Life doesn’t work like that, Dozer.
But, I just can’t get mad at you. You’re too darn cute!
Ash says
Can’t wait Nagi! Just know the book and all your hard work is going to be amazing! Please come to Melbs for a book signing! Also, love you Dozer! Cute as ever!
kris says
I can’t wait for your cookbook. I am enjoying all the reading about you and Dozer (I too am a Golden lover of 3 😊) Kepp it up and hang on; it’ll be over soon!
Jannet says
Thank you Nagi, for your recipes, I love cooking following your recipes. Love Dozer and all his pictures. Now looking forward to buy your recipe book. Thank you again you lovely lady.
Gerald(Gerry) Deighton says
Dear Nagi,
I learned about your website several years ago & have been an avid follower. Almost everything I cook these days are from your recipes. We like to entertain and we have many fun meals with friends.
Can’t wait to purchase your cook book
My wife and I are retired & live near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. We will be in Sydney Nov 5 to Nov 11. We would love to met you. Would this be possible?
Take care,
Gerry Deighton
Kathy Freeman says
Hello from Maryland, USA! I love your recipes, your adorable personality, and of course Dozer!!! I can’t wait for the cookbook!
Lorraine says
Oh Dozer, while I loved all of your photos (& let’s face it, Nagi knows that unfortunately while she’s very attractive, you beat her in the photogenic stakes 😝), the photo of your body one side of the curtain and your head on the other, simply cracked me up!😂🤣😂
Oh, btw Nagi, even though it’s obvious that Dozer has been working very hard these last couple of months, I must admit that I’m looking forward to finally seeing the results of your labours too!🥰
Neva Stewart says
Love, love, love Dozer! He’s an absolute beauty! Can’t wait for you to be back on line with new recipes!! Also, looking forward to your cook book.
Liz says
We can’t wait for the book, Nagi! Your hard work (and Dozer’s too!) will be worth it in the end. Thanks for ALL you do!
Cathleen says
Yay! You did it!! I don’t know you, but I’m proud of you :). You are one of those people I look to and think, “yes, you can do it all, and you can have it all”, it just takes lots and lots of hard work.
However, I’m afraid to say that this may just be the beginning for you. I foresee Dozer having his own book and maybe even a show of his own. Thanks for sharing all of this with us!
Annie says
Nagi!! Thank you so much for sharing!! It was a joy to read, and I can’t wait to read your book!
Anita says
I haven’t purchased a cookbook in years because of so many online recipe sites – yours is my go-to favorite. But, like others, I can’t wait for your book and plan to give it as Christmas gifts. I have never tried a Nagi recipe that I didn’t like.
Marge d says
I hope Dozer is in the cookbook lots!! You should make a Dozer book. I’m so glad you’re nearing the end of cookbook production-we’ll see more if you again! (Also can’t wait to see “the book”
Kate Stokes says
I’m sure that all will be well, but I read somewhere that Julia Child said that all the proofreading errors will have been corrected by the fourth print run. Or something like that !
I’m sure that you will also have multiple print runs.
Joseph says
Hi I have loved cooking yr recipes and really enjoy reading yr updates and obviously yr doggy Dozer is legendary. Keep up the great work
CoCo says
Hi Nagi,
Great overview. Very interesting to put yourself “out there”.
Sorry about the proofreading. As you say, though, super important. With all the time you spend on the quality of the photographs and the detailed instructions, to have SNAFUs in your spelling or grammar would make you look like a “muttonhead”.
Interesting about using the professional photographer. It seems most people look better with dark “bottoms” (skirts, pants and so on) and light tops – preferably not T-shirts, but maybe more tailored blouses. Granted, that may not be the “real you”, but we’re capturing a more polished image, which is also epitomized by the cookbook itself.
Great to see a photo of you and your mother.
You will have lots of people at your book signings who want to meet you. You have millions of followers. They are not all in Australia. I live in Central Florida, USA. I would LOVE to see you in person, but it’s not in my budget.
Dozier deserves a spot as well. We know you love him. He is obviously an important part of your life. He too needs to be placed in proper perspective.
You have the support of your entire audience. The quality of your “normal” recipe emails, the structure of your descriptions, the organization, the beautifully detailed videos that are so well created, the choice of music, and the presentation are true artistry. You are one of the best creators of food videos. There are many “out there”. You are very ambitious, setting a high standard for yourself. As a result, you are also humble as you set the bar high.
Please continue to do what you’re doing. Hope you will be planning a vacation after the publication, before going on your book tour. It appears you already have plans in place for future projects.
Please pat yourself on the back. You are truly amazing and talented.
Little Lynne says
Nearly there after so much hard work. With the help of Dozer of course 😊
Looking forward to the release of the cookbook. It will be a huge success which you richly deserve
Love your recipes your work ethic and how truly generous you are to those less fortunate.
Carole says
Hi Nagi
Can’t wait for your book but will it be available in the uk 🤞
Patricia Loquet says
It’s a long road you have been on and so nice to be able to see that the end is closer. Wishing you continued luck (though I know most of it is very hard work).
Dolores McDaniel says
Can’t wait for your cookbook to come out! It all looks very exciting. I have tried a few of your recipes and they all are so yummy good. Can’t wait to have them all at my fingertips!
Kathleen Gannon says
Hi Nagi,
Wow – what a process your Cookbook journey has been. I can’t wait to see it in the flesh and in my possession. I just know it is going become my favourite go to cookbook. I make soooo many of your recipes and just love them. I am going to start taking photos of your recipes that I have cooked just for my own satisfaction . They might not always look exactly like yours or they might have a few ingredients slightly different but I always buy the exact spices and the sauces etc to make sure I have a chance of replicating the flavour.
All the best Nagi for the BEST cookbook release ever . Give Dozer a big hug . I Also know my Christmas shopping will be easier that is for damn
sure.
We just love what you do and kindest regards to you and your team and Dozer.