the grain-free vegetarian

by Lucy Robinson

A repertoire of recipes spanning 30 years of eating with specific dietary requirements formed the kernel of Lucy Robinson’s idea to make a cookbook. Knowing that she wanted to work with her son, photographer Sam Vines, Lucy came to us to ask how to turn her idea into reality.

Our first step was to look at Lucy’s concept, and propose a title and approach that would clearly communicate the timely subject. Lucy then delved into her extensive archive of recipes and worked with us to organise chapters and decide on the total number of dishes to include. The structure evolved to feature menu planners and special sections on ingredients and techniques. From there, we advised about the size and page count of the book, and ordered in samples so Lucy could select paper and binding.

The next priority was to capture the author’s wonderful cooking in pictures. Simon worked with Sam and Lucy on a week-long photo-shoot at their family home in Cardiff. The style that emerged made full use of Lucy’s personal collection of Mediterranean ceramics along with family heirlooms and favourite cooking kit, and featured the beautiful seasonal produce that is at the heart of Lucy’s cooking.

As a musician, historian and scholar, Lucy was keen to use a font that reflected her personality and interests. We settled on one based on an elegant eighteenth-century French font, and Simon devised a simple layout, using an accent colour of indigo blue – a favourite of Lucy’s.

The recipes were carefully tested and edited and the pages prepared for press, while we worked with Lucy on the cover copy and created a cover design. Sample proofs were produced by the printer to ensure the best reproduction of the beautiful images. Finally, printed copies were shipped and Angela co-ordinated with the warehouse to ensure a smooth, hitch-free delivery. We advised a launch, and the book was unveiled at Daunt Books in Holland Park, with a delicious spread and wines laid on by the author.