From Sushi Waffles to Big Mac Bowls: How I Invent Recipes for a Living.
I get asked daily, “how do you come up with all your recipes?” 🧑🍳 Here's a 7-step journey through my creative kitchen process!
I get asked daily, “how do you come up with all your recipes?”
I thrive on experimentation in the kitchen, testing new ideas and flavour combinations to find what truly works. As a professional recipe developer, I bring together creativity, research, and plenty of taste testing to craft dishes that anyone can replicate at home. Here’s a brief look at how I approach my recipe creation process.
1. Curiosity
Every new recipe starts with a question: “What if…?” Maybe I’ll wonder how to transform the iconic flavours of a Big Mac into a crunchy tortilla bowl, or if I can press sushi rice into a waffle iron to create a crispy “sushi waffle.” These ideas might sound unconventional, but that’s precisely what drives me to take risks and uncover exciting new flavour combinations.
2. Seek Inspiration
I gather ideas from reading cookbooks, following food bloggers, and trying new dishes at restaurants. I also stay curious about new kitchen gadgets, trying out air fryers, sous vide machines, or high-powered blenders such as the Ninja Creami. These tools often unlock creative techniques that spark my next recipe idea, for example my reinvention of the healthy Gaytime.
3. Flavour Framework
Before I start cooking, I outline how I want the final dish to taste. Is it bright and acidic, rich and comforting, or smoky and spicy? By establishing a flavour goal, I know which herbs, spices, and cooking methods might work best and which might distract from the main flavours I’m aiming for. For example, if I’m aiming for a comforting pasta sauce with a subtle sweetness, I might rely on caramelised onions, slow-roasted tomatoes, and a dash of balsamic vinegar.
4. The “What If?” Game
At this point, I let my imagination run wild. I question every step and ingredient: “What if I use ginger instead of garlic?” or “Could I grate halloumi and use it as a crumb, instead of just having it on top of the toast for breakfast?” That small shift in thinking could transform an ordinary meal into a delicious delight.
Full recipe for the halloumi crusted toast here.
Even if some ideas flop, this brainstorming often yields unique twists that I can work on for next time
5. Test and tweak
Once I have a plan, I head to the kitchen and start cooking. I’ll make several versions of the same dish adjusting seasoning, cook times, or ingredients and note which tweaks bring me closer to my flavour goal. It can be messy, but it’s also a lot of fun watching each variation evolve.
6. Recruit taste testers
I rely on honest feedback from family, friends, and even neighbours (who get to eat a lot of my delicious leftovers). If they say a dish needs more salt or could use some citrus brightness, I take note. These opinions guide me to fine tune my recipes so they appeal to a range of palates, not just my own.
A real conversation with a neighbour in my building.
7. Write it down
Finally, I detail every measurement, step, and tip. I include the little insights—like how to tell if onions are caramelised enough or how to adjust spiciness.
My goal is to empower anyone to recreate the dish without confusion or guesswork.
That’s how I invent recipes for a living. It’s a cycle of curiosity, exploration, refinement, and sharing one delicious step at a time.
Enjoy!