Inside the Creative Life of Emiko Davies: Cookbook Author, Photographer & Mother
I first came across Emiko Davies years ago through her blog and Instagram, where she shares food stories that go far beyond recipes. Later, I had the chance to attend one of her cooking workshops in Italy with my partner, and I was struck by the way she wove together history, culture, and personal anecdotes while guiding us through the meal. It felt less like a class and more like stepping into a rich, unfolding story.
Photo by Emiko Davies -showcasing her 7 published cookooks.
In this interview, Emiko reflects on the reality of balancing a creative career with family life. She talks about writing cookbooks from her kitchen table, running workshops and a wine bar in Tuscany, and the ebb and flow of deadlines, travel, and quieter seasons. We also touch on her shift from Instagram to Substack, how she’s built confidence in speaking and teaching, and her advice for anyone dreaming of writing a cookbook today.
Emiko’s story is an honest reminder that creative life isn’t about perfect balance. It’s about following your passions, carving out space where you can, and finding ways to keep moving forward even when things feel full.
An overview of the interview:
On Balancing Creativity and Family
Honey: You’ve been on a whirlwind book tour lately. Are you exhausted?
Emiko: I got back Saturday night, and after two nights of hardly any sleep I was a bit out of sorts. But I’m ready to go again now.
Honey: And you’re heading back to Italy soon?
Emiko: Yes, the kids need to get back into school mode. After three months of vacation, it’s tough, for them and for us as parents.
Honey: It feels like “balance” is the wrong word sometimes.
Emiko: Exactly. I think of it more in waves. Writing a cookbook has intense phases, research, recipe testing, manuscript writing, but then there are quieter seasons too.
Pull-Quote: “Work and life come in waves. Some seasons are intense, others are for recalibrating.”
On Working From Home
Honey: Your kitchen is your office, isn’t it?
Emiko: Yes. That’s the challenge of working from home with kids. I’m always “available” to them, and I never fully switch off. I wrote four cookbooks at a tiny kitchen table in Florence, the space was so small I had to move my notebooks every time we ate. It shows you don’t need the perfect setup, you just need to start.
Pull-Quote: “I wrote four cookbooks in a two-by-two metre kitchen, you just make do with what you’ve got.”
Honey: That’s inspiring, so many people wait until everything’s “perfect.”
Emiko: Exactly. You carve out a little space, and you make it work.
On Instagram and Substack
Honey: How has your relationship with Instagram changed?
Emiko: I used to love it and posted daily. Now I prefer stories, they feel more natural, more like community. Feed posts feel lost in the algorithm.
Honey: And your Substack?
Emiko: That’s my space to write freely. My newsletter, Notes from My Kitchen, is where I share recipes, essays, and whatever I’m thinking about. With Scribehound, I stick to food writing and more in-depth topics. The two platforms complement each other, and they also support my books.
On Finding Confidence
Honey: Were you always confident speaking to groups?
Emiko: Not at all. I was painfully shy as a child. A turning point came in year five when I gave a speech in front of the whole assembly, terrifying, but it got easier after that. Later, working as a tour guide in Florence trained me to tell stories in front of people every day. Confidence builds with practice.
Pull-Quote: “When you’re shy, the first time is always the hardest. After that, each step forward gets easier.”
Advice for Aspiring Food Writers
Honey: What would you say to someone dreaming of writing a cookbook today?
Emiko: Focus less on numbers and more on connection. Publishers look at follower counts, but what really matters is whether your audience is engaged. Build a place to share your writing consistently, whether that’s a blog or a newsletter. Practice, connect, and let your work speak for itself.
What’s Next
Emiko: My next book is a mindful travel guide to Italy, focusing on sustainable and meaningful ways to explore. I’m also running new workshops in Japan, visiting the producers who inspired my recent books.
Final Thoughts
Conversations like this remind me why I started this interview series, to show the many different ways creative women build lives that hold both their work and their families. Emiko’s honesty about the messy parts, the seasonal rhythms, and the sheer determination to keep going is such a generous offering.
I’d love to know what resonated with you most from this interview. Was it the idea of work and life moving in waves? The reminder that you don’t need the perfect space to begin? Or her advice for aspiring writers?
Share your thoughts in the comments below, and if you enjoyed this conversation, please pass it on to a friend who might need the encouragement too.
Where to Find Emiko
Website: emikodavies.com
Instagram: @emikodavies
Substack: Notes from My Kitchen
Scribehound: Weekly collective of food writing
