Binstein Family Cookbook

In order to cherish the memory of their grandmother, the Binstein family wanted to create a cookbook out of a collection of her recipe cards. The primary challenge was to create a standardized template that could apply to each recipe with varying amounts of content. The Binstein family had collected many materials over the years: photos, scans, word documents, and recipe cards. It was my job to bring it all together in a single cohesive format. The first step was to standardize the information that was being shown: recipe title, list of ingredients, and preparation. I then employed a grid structure and consistent spacing. This enabled me to lay out this information in an easily digestible way.

The next challenge was to represent such diverse recipes with a single cover image. The client wanted to feature their grandmother’s signature meatball recipe and to shoot in their own kitchen. Meatballs by themselves don’t look particularly appetizing, so I decided to minimize the meat and give it more context with pasta and utensils. A photoshoot with diverse and brightly colored veggies and herbs to frame the shot produced a dynamic cover. Finally, with the addition of custom hand lettering, this cookbook is a unique and personal tribute.