Cooking is your passion. Have you always loved cooking?
Ever since I can remember, food and enjoyment have been a big topic in our family. My grandparents were passionate restaurateurs for over 40 years and we always cooked a lot and delicious food at home with my mother. I would say that a passion for food is firmly anchored in my DNA.
How did it come about that you wanted to write a cookbook?
I've had my food channel on Facebook "Janina and Food" for over three years now and it's been growing steadily. A cookbook has been requested by the community since day one. A year ago, the time had come to follow up on this wish and embark on a journey to my culinary roots.
How long did you work on your book?
From the first rough concept to the publication date, the process took a year and four months. I would never have believed beforehand that a book would require so much time and expertise from the various trades.
What was particularly important to you in your book?
I wanted to tell a personal story. I wanted to travel to the places where it all began and where I was formed. I'm not a trained chef, so I thought it was important to take people on my culinary journey so that they could understand where my passion for food and cooking comes from. I also always wanted a book that people would enjoy putting down on the table because it feels good, smells good and when you open it, it tells great stories and gives inspiration in the form of recipes. All of this is combined in "Meine Glücklichküche".
Did you get help from external service providers or did you do everything yourself?
You are nothing without a strong team. I've gathered my favorite people and everyone covers the area in which they are absolute professionals. From art direction to final editing 😉 Ultimately, I want people out there to hold a book in their hands that they can enjoy - and that I can be brutally proud of.
Why did you choose Nova MD and self-publishing?
There were a few meetings with traditional publishers and their representatives beforehand - and a lot of mutual interest. But in the end, the rigid structures there didn't offer me the freedom I needed to fully develop and make an impact. The book has my name on it, so it should also bear my signature. And: I'm not afraid of responsibility and knew that with a strong team behind me, it could only work.
Can we look forward to another book from you?
First of all, I'm over the moon about my first book. If it's well received out there, why not?
