The Spill: Staying Inspired And Finding Balance As A Recipe Creator
Welcome to the first-ever edition of The Spill, an interview series with some of our favorite recipe creators.
We’re kicking things off with Kylie Mazon-Chambers, the mastermind behind Cooking with Cocktail Rings and the author of Share + Savor.
She’s spilling:
Why consistency is so important as a recipe creator
Her top 3 recipes of all time (spoiler alert: YUM!)
How she stays inspired
What’s changed about her cooking since becoming a mom
…and WAY more!
Your story and how you got started.
I am the writer, cook, and photographer behind the food blog, Cooking with Cocktail Rings. My goal is to create restaurant-quality recipes people can easily make in their own home. I currently live in Brooklyn, NY with my husband, 1 year old son, dog and cat!
I learned to cook because my mom hated to! She is, however, a wonderful baker and I have included some of her recipes in my “desserts section,” but when it came to thinking about what to make for dinner she turned to me. My dad and I often cooked together; he would man the grill, and I would do the rest. I’ve been cooking since I was young and while it’s always been my passion I never thought I could make it into a career.
The name of my blog, Cooking with Cocktail Rings is inspired by my family. I inherited a collection of vintage cocktail rings from my great-grandmother. They are large, sometimes ostentatious rings set with gemstones one would often wear to a cocktail party or formal gathering. I think it’s a great way to pay homage to my family history.
What advice do you have for other aspiring recipe creators?
I think consistency is key! It takes persistence and it’s hard because you don’t often see success overnight. I didn’t have much to work off of when I started Cooking with Cocktail Rings, so everything was trial and error. From figuring out where to take my brand - seeing what types of partnerships worked for me and what kinds didn’t, to figuring out what types of schedules worked for me (since when you work for yourself if you don’t get something done no one else is going to do it for you!). I think it’s important to put yourself out there and try something and then go from there!
What’s your absolute favorite milestone you’ve hit with Cooking with Cocktail Rings?
Publishing my first cookbook, Share + Savor! But honestly it makes my day whenever someone tells me they gave a recipe of mine a try!
What’s your secret for getting media attention?
I wish I had a simple formula for this but it’s hard to keep up with constantly changing algorithms and platforms. Networking is always a good way to go!
What are your top 3 recipes of all time?
This is so hard to narrow down! But here goes:
Spicy Shrimp Bowl with Crispy Rice & Kale - This is in my weekly rotation! I love anything with crispy rice and the flavors are insured by an over the top sushi roll while somehow still being healthy-ish.
Coq au Vin Blanc - I love rich sauces and this is such a comforting dinner. Always serve extra bread for dipping!
Carnitas - I developed this recipe during COVID lockdown and spent weeks perfecting it. It takes a bit of time but it’s worth it for the flavors! It’s worth making your own flour tortillas to go with it.
Where do you turn for inspiration?
I find tons of inspiration from my travels and from trying new restaurants. I am fortunate to live in such a vibrant city like New York, which offers an array of incredible restaurants from diverse cuisines. Speaking of restaurants - I collect menus as another form of inspiration. I’ll look back at them and also keep a list of flavor combinations and ingredients that work well together on my phone. It’s a great place to turn when I hit a creative rut!
How has your cooking changed since you became a mom?
Because my son eats on the early side and I don’t have as much time to myself to make dinner uninterrupted, I’ve turned to more 30-minute and simple weeknight meals. Rather than making everything from scratch, I will find a store bought ingredient to transform and work around to simplify cook times, like this easy rosemary chickpea tortellini! My son typically eats a simplified version of what we eat but I also like to have some prepared things frozen to easily heat for him.
What’s your biggest goal for the year?
Honestly, finding a balance of being present with my family and feeling like I’m being a good mom while finding success at work is an ever-moving target. Trying to make peace with not being able to do it all, all of the time is my biggest goal this year.
Biggest takeaways from this edition of The Spill
As a creator, you’re your own boss. Which means constantly finding ways to stay inspired. I LOVE Kylie’s process of collecting menus she can go back to whenever she’s feeling stuck.
And what could be more relatable than trying to find a better balance between work and family?!
But the biggest takeaway? There’s no magic bullet to finding success as a recipe creator. It takes consistency, trial and error, and building relationships with the right people.
Last thing! Go follow @cookingwithcocktailrings and @grocerslist on Instagram, pretty please. 😊
