“Cookbook photos promise
perfection, but forget to mention the burnt edges, the second tries, and the
learning in the mess.”
There’s something undeniably
enchanting about flipping through a cookbook. The glossy pages, the vibrant
photos, the plated elegance—it all draws you in, whispering that you, too, can
recreate these edible works of art in your own humble kitchen.
But then, reality arrives—along
with uneven dough, a sauce that’s a shade too brown, or cookies that spread a
little too much. You glance back at the photo in the book. The dish in front of
you suddenly feels like a failure.
The truth is, pictures in
cookbooks—though inspiring—can also demoralise, especially for home cooks
trying out a recipe for the first time. They create a silent pressure. A
perfectly styled dish becomes an unspoken benchmark. And when our attempts fall
short, we question our abilities rather than celebrating the courage it took to
try.
What many don’t realise is that
those photos are the result of a team effort—professional chefs, food stylists,
photographers, lighting experts—all working together to make food look better
than real life. But we, at home, are often alone with our hopes, ingredients,
and a ticking stove.
Cooking is not about perfection;
it’s about expression. It’s about experimenting, learning, and most
importantly, enjoying the process. Every slightly burnt roti or sunken cake has
a story. Every splatter on the counter is proof that we showed up with
intention.
Let’s stop expecting ourselves to
plate like professionals on day one. Let’s normalize sharing pictures of meals
that taste incredible but look... let’s say, human. Because cooking, like life,
is messy, beautiful, and rarely picture-perfect.
Have you ever felt this way about
cookbook pictures or recipe videos? Share your “perfectly imperfect” kitchen
story below.
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