Author Profile: Morena Leite and the Alchemy of Affection in Brazilian Cuisine

Morena Leite, the author of Brazil Rhythms and Recipes, is one of Brazil’s most well-known chefs but she more than just a chef. She is an artist of flavors, a passionate educator and a tireless social entrepreneur. Her work goes far beyond the kitchen — she connects people, transforms communities and plants seeds of food consciousness wherever she goes. Interviewing her I saw a sparkle in her eyes, a guiding faith behind her actions, and a clear life purpose. Morena is a unique individual — not just for her achievements or her singular name, but because she inspires generations through food made with love, technique, and intuition.

Read More
Newsletter: 🍞Brilliant baking from Margot, and Bea’s + part 5 of our food photography class 📸

We have couple of gorgeous bakes newly risen from the ckbk oven—two books guaranteed to have you mastering the technicals and whipping up a showstopper.

“The baking at Margot is not always easy to define: our influences range from the fresh bold flavours found in Australian food, comforting recipes from the north of England to traditional Italian baking techniques and Polish and Hungarian fillings; we bake for both Jewish and Christian festivals.”

Read More
Food photography with Rupa: Part 5 – Food styling and storytelling

In today’s article we will be going through food styling and storytelling—this is where the magic really happens. 

You’ve learned how to use your phone settings, light your shots, frame your composition and choose your camera angles… but this is the moment where your food photos start to feel like a story. And that’s what really connects with your audience.

Read More
Newsletter: 🌞 Low effort cooking for summer + cheese know-how from La Fromagerie 🧀

Summer is the season to spend more time outside, and less in the kitchen. Just in time we bring you 15 Minute Meals: Truly Quick Recipes That Don’t Taste Like Shortcuts from New York based cookbook author, James Beard Award shortlisted food writer, novelist, podcaster and TV host Ali Rosen—a book of almost a hundred quick flavorful no-fuss ideas to help you eat well, fast.

Read More
Newsletter: 🎾 What to eat for Wimbledon fortnight + the foundations of fusion cuisine from Cheong Liew 👨‍🍳

From June 30 to July 13 a corner of Southwest London draws the attention of the tennis-loving world, as the annual Wimbledon tournament plays out with all the drama and finely-honed sportsmanship of the top class game. Historically one of the key attractions of the British social season, watching Wimbledon, whether live or on the television, is also a chance to herald the start of summer with a party, or at least a glass of Pimm’s.

Read More
Food photography with Rupa: Part 4 – Camera Angles

In this next step of our food photography foundations, we’re going to talk about something that’s often overlooked but makes a huge difference: Camera angles. The angle you shoot from can transform the feel of an image, and today we’re focusing on one of the most used and misused angles in food photography: the flat lay (also known as an overhead shot).

Read More
Author profile: Cheong Liew

Cheong Liew is widely regarded as the Father of East-West Fusion Food. He’s been named one of the ‘ten hottest chefs alive’ by American Food & Wine Magazine and, in 1999, was the first Australian chef to be recognized with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his role in “developing and influencing the style of contemporary Australian cuisine”.  We are delighted to add to ckbk both his classic cookbook My Food (1995) and its 2025 followup Inside My Food, a memoir with recipes. In this feature Cheong’s friend and fellow cookbook author Roberta Muir speaks to the chef about his recipes, food philosophy and the diverse influences on his cooking.

Read More
Newsletter: 🍗 Our spotlight on chicken + Learn from the best with Le Cordon Bleu 👨‍🍳

Chicken is universally popular, enjoyed within almost all global cuisines, and one of the most accessible and easy to prepare meats. It is likely to be something readily to hand, and frequently on the menu or supper table. Of course, each of us has our failsafe ways to cook it, our family’s favorite dishes. But we have a whole shelf of books just focused on chicken, so for a little extra inspiration, or some new ideas with a familiar ingredient, look no further.

Read More
Newsletter: 🎁 Tasty goodies for Father’s Day + great home cooking from chef Adam Byatt 👨‍🍳

This Sunday, June 15, is Father’s Day, a day to take a moment and express a bit of gratitude to the men in our lives who guide us, have our backs, who we look to for love and inspiration. So, for all those who father us, thank you. And for those of you wanting to give a bit more than a hug or a phone call, we’ve got treats. You know what they say about a man’s heart and his stomach…

Read More
Food photography with Rupa: Part 3 – Compose with Confidence

Here’s the latest installment of my series for ckbk readers where I show you how to level up your food photos using just your phone, no fancy kit needed.

So far, we’ve covered Camera Settings and Lighting. Now, we’re moving on to Step 3: Composition— the way you frame and arrange your food to guide your viewer’s eye and create real visual impact.

Read More
Newsletter: 🥔 Potatoes for all occasions + a postcard from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

The humble potato: endlessly adaptable, quietly brilliant and capable of stealing the show in everything from comfort food classics to elegant dinner-party dishes. No wonder there are celebrations for International Day of the Potato on May 30. Whether you’re in the mood for something indulgent, inventive or timeless, these three potato cookbooks prove the spud is anything but ordinary.

Read More
A Postcard from Sri Lanka

In her Postcard from Sri Lanka, food TV producer Antonia Lloyd takes us on a sensory journey through the Indian Ocean island’s lush landscapes and vibrant kitchens. The rich and diverse cuisine of the island is shaped by centuries of trade, colonial influence, and both Buddhist and Tamil tradition. From hoppers at breakfast to fiery roadside curries, it's a delicious portrait of a country where spice is a way of life.

Read More
Food photography with Rupa: Part 2 – Light it Right

Welcome to the second installment of Food Photography with Rupa, my 7-part series for ckbk users designed to help you elevate your food visuals with confidence using just your phone.

In Part 1, we covered the essential camera settings for food photography. This time, we’re turning our attention to something I consider a real cornerstone of food photography: light.

Read More
Author Profile: Christina Pirello

Christina Pirello teaches whole food cooking at Walnut Hill College as well as via her web site and her Emmy-award winning PBS TV series. We just added Christina’s 2021 cookbook The Macroterranean Way to ckbk’s collection (it will soon be joined by Vegedibles, published by the author in 2023). In our latest Author Q&A, Christina shares some of the secrets behind her enduring career as a culinary educator.

Read More