Five years in the making, what began as a flicker of an idea turned into the most treasured journey—an heirloom cookbook that brings together generations-old family recipes and celebrates the importance of passing down knowledge. Here’s a glimpse behind the scenes into 'From Baba's Kitchen', a project shared between my grandmother and I.
There’s a certain magic about recipes that have been passed down through generations.
They’re more than a list of ingredients and steps—they’re rich with stories, memories of the past, and are a connection to the people who came before us. They’re a way to keep traditions alive and remind us of where we come from.
That’s the magic that inspired From Baba’s Kitchen, a project deeply close to my heart.
How it Began
Five years ago, I was eating a meal cooked by Baba Mladenka—my grandmother. While I had eaten at her house nearly every week of my life, it suddenly struck me: I didn’t know how to recreate any of these dishes.
The smells, the tastes, the flavours were so familiar and nostalgic, but if you dropped me in the kitchen, culinary diploma and all, I’d fumble my way through.
After all, there’s a bit of mystery to a grandmother’s recipes—the instinct, the years of practice, the way they’d shoo you out of the kitchen before you could get too close. Baba’s well-loved recipes suddenly felt very precious and finite.
Without skipping a beat, I proposed the idea of documenting them. If she could cook and teach, I’d write and take photos, capturing it all in real time.
If there’s one thing about Baba, at eighty years young, it’s her boundless enthusiasm. She was immediately all in, and so the project began.
The Journey
Whenever we could, we’d meet in her kitchen, my camera charged and keyboard ready. Here, she’d gently and thoughtfully guide me through each recipe like a seasoned teacher.
She’d even help style the dishes at the end, pulling out her favourite embroidered tablecloths and fabric napkins. Once done, we’d tuck in together to eat.
I’d then retest the recipes in my own kitchen, transforming them into a working recipe. It was a fine line to walk—ensuring the recipe remained unchanged and authentically hers, but making sure they were usable for home cooks.
After all, like many elders, Baba’s style of cooking isn’t meticulous or structured. It’s a dash here, a pinch there, guided by intuition and senses. So often, she’d say, ‘It should look like this,’ or ‘smell like that’—‘that’s when you know it’s ready.’
…And it Snowballs
At first, the plan was to compile the recipes into a ring-binder. Nice and simple. But as we delved deeper—or more fairly, I fell down the rabbit hole—it snowballed. The foodie in me couldn’t help but wonder, but what if we go all out and create a proper, fully-fledged cookbook?
We partnered with an incredible local designer to bring the pages to life. Our intention was to honour the timeless nature of the recipes while crafting a book that felt modern enough to belong in today’s kitchens. We chose a red, blue, and cream palette as a nod to the Croatian origins of many dishes.
We then connected with an Auckland-based printer about printing a run of books—and that’s when the dream really became reality.
Fast-forward to now, and I’m delighted to share that From Baba’s Kitchen is officially here in print! Part memoir of an immigrant, part cookbook, it’s a personal tribute to Baba’s culinary legacy—but it’s also for everyone. This book celebrates the universal importance of preserving knowledge and passing it on.
Elder Wisdom: Bridging Then and Now
It’s hard to put into words what a joy this project has been to work on. Baba absolutely loved sharing her recipes and food stories, and I’ve cherished every moment of capturing them.
When we document the wisdom of our elders, we honour their lives and ensure their stories and skills live on for the many decades to come.
Knowing that Baba’s recipes and early food memories are recorded for future generations—so they can stay connected to their roots and learn about their lineage through food—makes my heart happy. I know she feels the same way.
My hope is that From Baba’s Kitchen might inspire you to document your own family traditions. While this specific project was a fair bit of work, remember I went down a rabbit hole! Writing recipes down in a notebook or Google Doc, snapping a photo of a handwritten version, or recording a voice memo or video on your phone, works just as well. What matters is taking the time to capture the knowledge.
Of course, it doesn’t have to be recipes, or even a grandparent. It could be stories, traditions, or practical skills—anything from gardening to sewing to preserving food. It might come from parents, uncles, aunties, or heck, even a neighbour. Ultimately, it’s about capturing the unique wisdom of someone you cherish, whatever form it takes.
Get Your Copy of From Baba’s Kitchen
If you’d like a copy of From Baba’s Kitchen, we have limited softcover books available, as well as an e-version (perfect for viewing online, or printing and binding yourself). You can find both in the Nourish and Tempt shop now.
As I write this, we’ve already sold 50% of our softcover stock through preorders alone—absolutely mind-blowing! It’s incredible how this project has struck a chord with so many of you💛.
Thank you for taking a peek behind the scenes of From Baba’s Kitchen. If you’re considering a similar project and have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!
2 Comments
Hi,
Can l please purchase a copy of this book?
Thanks
Hi Magla, thanks for you interest. Absolutely, you can order soft-copy books or a digital copy on my virtual shop: https://www.nourishandtempt.com/shop/ We have limited copies of the softcover left, so I’d recommend getting in quick x