Guided course: Learn to tell stories through recipes

Learn to tell stories through recipes

“Every recipe can be more than a list of ingredients: it can be a memory, an emotion, or a story brought to life at the table. This project is an invitation to write with flavor and memory, turning everyday dishes into narratives that express identity and culture. Don’t worry about perfection at first—let your writing flow, experiment with different tones, and play with words as you would with spices in a kitchen. Here are five possible paths to get you started. 1. Open a Chapter with Atmosphere Write an introduction that sets the tone for the chapter and prepares the reader for the experience ahead. Use a memory, a landscape, or a feeling that ties into your recipes. Example project: Beginning a chapter on winter desserts by recalling the aroma of cinnamon and cardamom in a family kitchen on cold days. 2. Tell the Story Behind a Dish Each recipe can carry a narrative: where it comes from, who used to cook it, or a moment in your life when it mattered. This adds warmth and depth to your cookbook. Example project: Sharing how a lentil soup became a symbol of hospitality in your culture, before describing how to prepare it. 3. Write a Simple, Clear Recipe Choose an easy dish and write the recipe in straightforward, accessible language. The challenge here is to keep clarity while still preserving your personal voice. Example project: A one-step flatbread recipe, explained in a short yet inviting paragraph. 4. Develop a Two-Step Recipe Work with a more complex dish that requires a sequence of steps. The goal is to keep the instructions clear and the narrative rhythm intact, even with a detailed process. Example project: A curry recipe in two stages: first the spice base, then cooking the main ingredients. 5. Close the Chapter with Intention Write a conclusion that circles back to the opening theme and ties the chapter together. This could be a reflection, an invitation, or a memory that leaves the reader eager to continue. Example project: Ending a chapter on artisanal bread by reflecting on how kneading dough is also an act of patience and care. Writing recipes with stories is about creating a space where cooking becomes narrative and narrative becomes cooking. This project isn’t just about teaching someone how to prepare a dish—it’s about transmitting emotion and building memory for anyone who reads and cooks alongside you. Dare to experiment with words as you would with ingredients: try, mix, adjust, and try again. In the end, you’ll have a chapter that not only instructs, but also inspires and connects.”

Course summary for: Guided course: Learn to tell stories through recipes

• Level: Beginner
• 77 students
• 1 unit
• 6 lessons (49m)
• 1 download

• Category

  Culinary, Writing

• Areas

  Creative Writing, Non-Fiction Writing, Storytelling