Ask family members to submit their favorite recipes and consider adding family favorites that are made during holidays or other celebrations.
Gather photographs to help add a personal touch to the cookbook. These photographs can be pictures of a specific dish or recipe. Photographs of the family can be used, too.
Have each contributor submit a mini-biography. They can include their greatest accomplishments, favorite family memories and which recipe is important to them and why. Include the biographies at the end of the cookbook or with the recipe submitted. If the family member submits more than one, include the biography at the end of the first recipe only.
Decide the type of cookbook you want to publish. If the cookbook is to preserve family memories. then do not forget to ask family members to include their favorite story associated with the recipe.
Family Matters Parenting Magazine suggests using a cookbook to preserve heritage customs. If this is the case, then include the recipes' origins and how the dishes are used in celebrations.
Establish how long the cookbook will be and lay it out. Head each section--soups, breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc. or by family member. Include front and back illustrations. Design a cover and think of a title.
Going the route of self-publishing means you can scan the cookbook and print it out at the home printer or have a commercial printer do this. A cookbook publisher is a company that specifically publishes family cookbooks.
Use one of the many cookbook templates that allow an individual to upload recipes and images to create a more professional feel. Often when using templates, the cookbook can be printed on a home printer. Fees vary depending on the specific company, number of recipes and graphics. If you decide to self-publish, remember getting the cookbook in book form will require either a binder or commercial printer to create a spiral binding and lamination. Cooksplate.com allows an unlimited amount of recipes to be uploaded, as well as the ability to email the recipes and cookbook.
Print your family cookbook through a company that will print, bind, and ship the cookbooks. These companies typically charge per book. The cookbook will be stored in their database if more copies are needed. HeritageCookbook.com allows access to a graphic database and can produce a book up to 400 pages.