Mixed Signals from Semafor Media Alison Roman on cookbooks, food influencers, and the surprising way AI is changing her recipes
Oct 10, 2025
Alison Roman, a renowned chef and cookbook author, dives into her latest creation, Something From Nothing. She discusses the timeless value of physical cookbooks in a digital age, emphasizing their curated nature. The conversation highlights her journey with viral recipes and the changing landscape of food media. Roman shares her views on how AI is influencing her cooking style while stressing the importance of maintaining creative integrity. Additionally, she reflects on her experiences with the New York Times and the rise of independent food creators.
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Cookbooks As Timeless Collections
- Alison Roman views a cookbook as a curated collection with storytelling and lasting value beyond single online recipes.
- She intentionally designed her book to feel timeless and tactile as an antidote to fleeting digital content.
Design Choices To Resist Trendiness
- Roman chose visual and design details to make the book feel ageless and not tied to online trends.
- She used film photography, serif fonts, and cream pages to create a timeless identity for recipes.
Leaving The Times After A Controversy
- Roman describes feeling unsupported by The New York Times when controversy hit and she retreated privately.
- She says she didn't fight publicly because she felt embarrassed and preferred to disappear for a time.
