Just Eat: Pure and Simple Cooking

In Just Eat: Pure and Simple Cooking, Renate Moore encourages readers to overcome food confusion and constant worry over “eating right.” From Red Snapper with Curry Sauce to No Cry Apple Pie, her recipes focus on healthy ingredients and simple instructions that make healthy food tasty and easy.

Renate was born and raised in Guyana where indigenous South Americans mixed with Indian, European, African, and Chinese settlers to create a truly unique culture where weddings last for a week and the kitchen is the center of family traditions. She later moved to New York and then to North Carolina, picking up flavors and new traditions along the way. Her new cookbook fuses this cultural and culinary heritage into what is sure to become your go-to recipe book.

We asked Renate a few questions about her publishing journey and goals for the book.

Renate on working with SPARK Publications

I have had the best support team with SPARK Publications. I appreciated the transparency and honesty in their service and how they explained things to me. From beginning to end, they have been helpful, kind, supportive, and attentive to my needs and challenges. When I felt doubtful, they encouraged and gave guidance. I look forward to continuing working with them.

What inspired you to write Just Eat?

Friends, strangers, and family continuously asked for my methods and recipes after they tasted the food I make. They became curious and eager to cook after realizing that healthy is tasty and not tasteless. Also, I’ve realized that eating healthy has become a very confusing topic in this era, and I just wanted to share my experience and ideas on food.

What is your primary goal for the book?

I want to help people overcome the fear of cooking and to encourage healthy eating. I want people to know that healthy cooking is not difficult, nor does it require professional chef skills, and fresh ingredients can turn into simple yet healthy and delicious meals all made from scratch without preservatives. What might be considered “mistakes” in a recipe often lead to a new discovery. This is how some of my best recipes were born—from “mistakes.”

What surprises did you encounter on the road to writing and publishing the book?

I was surprised when I found out the steps to writing this cookbook. It was very different from my other manuscripts. There were formats to figure out, recipes to pull together, accuracy of measurements, and the length of time it would take before I got to the end.

What role(s) did SPARK Publications play in publishing your book?

SPARK Publications played many roles in publishing my book. They kept me accountable, gave me direction, worked with my schedule, and when I had setbacks, they were understanding and supportive.

Do you have any advice for other authorpreneurs?

My advice is to be persistent. Know that what you have to offer is valuable and helpful to someone. Believe in yourself and stay focused. When setbacks step in, don’t give up. Keep working at it. I had many setbacks, and it took me two and a half years to complete this book. Many times I was discouraged, but I kept reminding myself that determination leads to success, and many people were anxiously waiting for this book.

What’s next for you?

Completing my book about my journey of becoming an entrepreneur and lessons learned along the way. Then writing a desserts recipe book.