My Third Cookbook
Looking Back and Facing Forward: 15 Years of Culinary Creation
Revisiting My Third Cookbook as We Step into a New Chapter Together
Looking back to when I first began blogging 15 years ago in 2011, I never could have imagined how far this journey would take me. It started as a simple desire to log my passion for cooking and share home-cooked comfort food with my children; I had no idea that this small online space would ultimately transform the trajectory of my life.
In 2016, after transitioning to a vegan lifestyle, my husband and I poured our hearts into running our vegan takeaway shop in North Wales : HARVEST VEGETARIAN KITCHEN (the very first, and still the only fully vegan Chinese takeaway in North Wales 10 years later). Out of necessity, I had to pause regular updates on the blog. Yet, the initial spark, to connect with everyone through food, never faded.
It wasn’t until 2022, when I launched my YouTube channel Rice Bowl Tales to share vegan cooking and my travel diaries, that the longing to return to writing sparked within me once more. I needed a warm, dedicated space to detailedly document recipes and stories for my subscribers and readers. Returning to blogging truly feels like coming home.
Chinese version : Rice Bowl Tales
中文版本 : Rice Bowl Tales
The Evolution of My Books: Letting Go to Welcome the New
Reflecting on my publishing history, each book marks a unique chapter of my life:
- First Book (2014): A Bowl of Family Heritage Dishes (有碗家傳菜)—A culinary record dedicated to traditional flavours, family heritage, and the warmth of home.
- Second Book (2016): Savouring a Bowl of Seasonal Soup (喝一碗醞釀節氣的好湯)—Focused on the wisdom of traditional Cantonese soups aligned with the natural seasons.
Both early works were embraced by my readers, with the second title going into a seventh printing! However, shortly after its release, my husband and I made a major life decision: we embraced a plant-based lifestyle, became practicing Buddhists, and fully converted our long-running traditional takeaway into a 100% vegan kitchen.
As my personal philosophy shifted toward compassion, health, and environmental consciousness, I felt a deep inner conviction. To stay true to this new path, I made the hard decision to ask the publisher to stop reprinting my first two meat-focused cookbooks. Letting go of works into which I had poured endless heart and soul was not easy, but as the old saying goes: “To gain something new, you must first let go.”
The Story Behind My Third Cookbook
On January 28, 2019, my third book was published by Delight Press:
Vegan Meal Prep: 168 Plant-Based Ideas for Everyday Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (蔬食常備菜：168 道安之茹素的一日三餐提案)
This book grew directly out of my hands-on experience as a chef, business owner, and busy homemaker. I wanted to demonstrate to vegans, vegetarians, and the veg-curious alike that plant-based dining can be incredibly rich, delicious, and convenient.
What Happened Next Surprised and Deeply Moved Me
Thanks to word-of-mouth support, the book achieved remarkable milestones:
- Just two days after publication: It climbed to #4 on the Books.com.tw Culinary New Release Chart and #6 on the 7-Day Bestseller Chart.
- By day five: It rose to #3 on the Culinary New Release Chart!
- 2019 Taipei International Book Exhibition: It was selected as one of the 75 books purchased by Taiwan’s Minister of Culture, Cheng Li-chiun, during her visit.
- Global Reach: It became available across Eslite bookstores in Taipei and major online retailers, expanding to Eslite Hong Kong and leading bookstores across Southeast Asia.
From January 2019 to October 2024 : for nearly six years, the book went through print run after print run.
Every time a reader sent a photo of the book sitting on their dining table, my heart filled with gratitude beyond words.
Recently, after a warm and thoughtful conversation with my publisher, we agreed that as the trend around meal prepping has naturally settled, the book has perfectly fulfilled its mission and reached its final chapter. Closing this stage leaves me feeling nothing but immense pride and gratitude.
Heartfelt Thanks
Running a busy takeaway while juggling the roles of chef, front desk staff, runner, and cleaner; all while writing recipe books, was the most challenging yet deeply rewarding experience of my life. Receiving your reviews, photos of your cooked dishes, and kind comments made every ounce of effort completely worth it.
I want to extend my deepest appreciation:
- To my husband, my two children, and their partners: Thank you for your unconditional love and unwavering support every step of the way.
- To my publisher (Delight Press) and my senior editor: Thank you for believing in my vision for a 100% plant-based cookbook, and for your meticulous guidance throughout the process.
- To every dear friend, supporter, reader, and customer: To everyone who bought this book, tried a recipe, left an encouraging message, or supported Harvest Vegetarian Kitchen—thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are my greatest inspiration to keep cooking, creating, and sharing.
Looking Ahead: Excited for Chapter Four
Looking back over these 15 years fills me with renewed energy. I am currently organizing and conceptualizing fresh recipes and ideas that I hope will form the foundation of my fourth cookbook—continuing to bring accessible, delicious, healthy, and heritage-rich vegan dishes into your home kitchens.
I Would Love to Hear From You:
Do you own a copy of this third cookbook, or have you tried any of the recipes from the blog?
What types of recipes or themes would you most like to see in future publishing projects?
Thank you for walking alongside me all these years. Let’s look forward to many more delicious moments ahead!
With warmth and gratitude,
Jane