Podcast Summary: "Adeena Sussman, SHABBAT: Recipes and Rituals from My Table to Yours"

Totally Booked with Zibby, hosted by Zibby Owens, features an engaging conversation with Adina Sussman, renowned author of Shabbat: Recipes and Rituals From My Table to Yours. Released on January 31, 2025, this episode delves deep into Adina's journey in the culinary and literary worlds, her creative processes, collaboration experiences, and personal reflections amidst recent global events.

1. Introduction to Adina Sussman

Zibby Owens warmly welcomes Adina Sussman, highlighting her impressive bibliography and accolades. Adina, a New York Times bestselling author with 15 cookbooks to her name, brings a rich background in both writing and culinary arts.

Notable Quote:

• Zibby: “Your cookbooks are amazing. You're amazing.” (02:08)

2. Adina's Journey: From Writer to Culinary Expert

Adina traces her passion for writing and cooking back to her childhood, where she engaged in culinary activities with her mother in a servant Jewish home. Her early experiences with Shabbat ingrained a deep connection between cooking and hospitality.

Adina explains her initial foray into the professional world, emphasizing her non-traditional path. After studying communications and moving to Israel, she worked in television before transitioning to freelance writing for publications like Time Out New York. Her stint at Gourmet magazine as a copywriter provided invaluable insights into the publishing industry.

Notable Quote:

• Adina: “I always say... your soft skills and the way you are with people is as important as just having talents.” (06:03)

3. The Creative Process in Cookbook Writing

Adina elucidates the meticulous nature of recipe development, likening it to computer coding. Each recipe is a precise combination of ingredients and techniques to achieve the desired outcome. Her approach balances technical accuracy with creative storytelling, ensuring that her cookbooks are not just collections of recipes but narratives that reflect personal histories and cultural identities.

Notable Quote:

• Adina: “I think it's really digging deep into someone's perspective, their history, their story, their identity, their culture, and how that manifests itself through food.” (10:15)

4. The Evolving Value of Cookbooks

Discussing the modern landscape, Adina observes that while digital platforms offer easy access to recipes, cookbooks provide a tangible and immersive experience. They serve as inexpensive entry points into culinary arts, offering beautiful visuals, personal essays, and a structured approach to cooking that online resources might lack.

Notable Quote:

• Adina: “A cookbook is a little bit like a Viking stove. You maybe buy it and it’s really nice to look at and enjoy... sometimes just having the book and experiencing the book is enough.” (12:50)

5. Collaborations and Co-Authoring Cookbooks

Adina shares her experiences collaborating with high-profile personalities like Chrissy Teigen. These partnerships often involve living and working closely together, fostering a true collaborative environment. Such experiences contrast with earlier projects where she worked more independently, highlighting her preference for deep, meaningful collaborations over solitary endeavors.

Notable Quote:

• Adina: “These are true collaboration books where we're sort of sitting all day... writing, cooking, and collaborating together.” (09:26)

6. Balancing Professional and Personal Cooking

While Adina dedicates significant effort to recipe development for her books, she maintains a distinction between professional and personal cooking. On weekends, she enjoys freestyle cooking, sourcing ingredients from local markets, and creating meals without strict adherence to recipes. This balance allows her to continue enjoying the culinary arts outside her professional obligations.

Notable Quote:

• Adina: “When I am cooking for myself, I'm not using recipes. I'm going to the market... and I'll make dinner from those things.” (14:33)

7. Upcoming Projects and Future Directions

Adina hints at her third cookbook, a quick and easy dinner compilation inspired by Israeli flavors and her experiences in local markets. While she hasn't announced the title yet, she emphasizes the book's focus on simplicity amidst complex times, reflecting her ongoing commitment to blending culture with culinary ease.

Notable Quote:

• Adina: “It's a quicker, easier sort of dinner cookbook that is inspired by all the flavors and the place that I live and love.” (16:38)

8. Coping with Trauma: Navigating Recent Events in Israel

The conversation takes a poignant turn as Adina discusses the impact of the October 7th events in Israel on her personal and professional life. Initially on a book tour in the U.S., she found her activities taking on deeper significance, providing community and support amidst crisis. Upon returning to Israel, Adina faced the challenge of balancing her public persona with personal trauma, choosing to use her platform to contribute positively by supporting affected communities.

Notable Quote:

• Adina: “I used my platform in a way that I'm comfortable with... to contribute and be a part of it.” (17:21)

She also started a Substack to express her feelings and experiences more intimately, ensuring her cookbooks remained spaces of joy and nourishment.

Notable Quote:

• Adina: “I wanted to find another place that would both be a place for me to express myself writing wise... I wanted to not unload that onto everyone in my cookbooks.” (20:55)

9. Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Zibby commends Adina for her resilience and creative spirit, highlighting the therapeutic role of creativity in coping with anxiety and trauma. Adina expresses gratitude for the support and underscores the importance of community and meaningful work in overcoming personal and collective challenges.

Notable Quote:

• Adina: “I've come out of it, knowing who I am more and caring less about insignificant things.” (20:22)

The episode concludes with heartfelt thanks and well-wishes for Shabbat, reinforcing the themes of community and connection that permeated the conversation.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Totally Booked with Zibby offers a profound glimpse into Adina Sussman's multifaceted career and her ability to intertwine culinary arts with storytelling and cultural expression. Her narrative serves as an inspiring testament to the power of creativity and community in navigating both personal and global challenges.