Cookbook Design
Cookbook Design · Publication Layout · Print Production
Project Snapshot
Org: Monica Bhide (author) / Companion to published novel
Deliverables: Cookbook cover, interior recipe layout system, supporting pages
Outputs: Print-ready cookbook files and presentation mockups
Tools: InDesign · Photoshop · Illustrator
Workflow: Typography system · Grid and style consistency · Image placement · Print-ready export prep
Developed as a companion to Monica Bhide’s novel Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken, this cookbook was designed to help readers recreate flavorful dishes for book clubs and themed events. The layout and visual tone intentionally align with the novel, carrying the mood of the story into a warm, easy-to-use culinary experience. The original novel cover is included in the gallery for context.
Role
Designer. Created the cookbook’s cover and interior layout system, balancing inviting photography with clear recipe structure and consistent page rhythm.
Focus
Editorial layout and hierarchy for recipe content (ingredients, steps, yields)
Visual continuity between the novel and the companion cookbook (tone, typography, pacing)
Clean, repeatable page system that supports multiple recipes without feeling repetitive
Print-ready setup and production polish
Strategy & Concept
The strategy was to make the cookbook feel like it belongs to the novel’s world while still functioning as a practical tool. That meant a consistent typographic hierarchy, a predictable recipe structure, and selective use of full-bleed imagery to keep the experience immersive without interrupting usability.
System Breakdown
Cover and visual language
Cover design that echoes the novel’s mood through imagery, contrast, and a classic title treatment
Recipe page structure
Standardized hierarchy for recipe title, serving yield, ingredients list, and step-by-step method
Repeatable spacing rules so dense information stays readable
Supporting pages
Companion context pages to connect the cookbook to the author and published work
Outcome & Reflection
The final cookbook translates the story’s tone into a format readers can actually use, giving book clubs and hosts a cohesive way to bring the novel to the table.
A strong companion piece feels seamless—like it was always meant to exist beside the original.
