Here is a little insider look behind the scenes at the photo shoot for Peko Peko, a charity cookbook for Japan. A few of us met up at Rachael’s house to assist for a fun day of cooking, styling and shooting pictures.
What is this book? A group of top food bloggers and cookbook authors have come together with Japanese inspired recipes (50 of them!) to help raise funds to benefit the people devastated by the earthquake and tsunami earlier this year. People want to help, but they don’t know how. Here is how…..
There are three creators and curators of this book. Huge kudos goes to Rachael La Fuji Mama, Marc No Recipes and Stacie One Hungry Mama for their dedication to this HUGE project. It is amazing the energy, commitment an enthusiasm they have had on this journey.
In case you are wondering what is Peko Peko? ….it is a common way to indicate, “I’m hungry!” in Japan, it’s onomatopoeia for the sounds that an empty stomach makes.
Wearing this apron would signal one is feeling a bit Peko Peko.
I have a recipe and photo in the book, but I am not gonna tell you what it is. You need to buy the book sillies to find out. What I can tell you: I cannot cut vegetables and get them to look like this:
Each and every recipe in the cookbook is a traditional Japanese dish or has a fusion twist. Ranging from sweet to savory your taste buds will be tempted by everything. Check these out:
Aside from munching on everything after it was photographed, Rachael made this beautiful homemade wheat bread. Yes, it was as good as it looks.
I am grateful that I was able to assist one of the days of the food styling & photo shoot. It was amazing to me to watch the precision involved in traditional Japanese cooking. Rachael and Marc shared so much wisdom about Japanese culinary traditions. I think I was more voyeur than helper that day.
Rachael taught us how to pinch the edges of the dough to make dumplings. *love*
I did my part by picking up a few essential ingredients at the awesome Mitsuwa marketplace. They claim to be the largest Japanese supermarket in the USA. Lots and lots of Japanese everything. From food to Hello Kitty stuff to cell phones. Everything.
Thank you to the hard working organizers and curators of this charitable project. Kudos to all of the wonderful bloggers who shared their delicious recipes, photos and inspiration.
Click here to purchase this cookbook Not only is this a great way to earn money for those in need, but you get something amazing in return. It took me less than 1 minute to order mine & you can pay with PayPal if you wish.
You can follow them on Twitter and Facebook too.
Peko Peko Links
I love the colors and how fresh everything looks. I bet that kitchen smelled amazing!
Allison, let’s just say this – it was very difficult to keep my hands off their hard efforts while they were cooking. Everything smelled amazing. Especially that steak!
Kudos to you, Marla, for helping, and congrats to all of you for this achievement. It’s a good thing you all are doing, and I wish this project every success!
Dorothy, our community is so awesome! It is amazing how much we come together to support those in need. I hope this book earns gobs of money to help the Japanese people. You are a sweetheart for your kind words.
And thank YOU for helping and doing your part. My cookbooks are on route and I’m so excited to hold it and flip though it for the first time!
Aimee, I know I can’t wait to get my book too! Such a special group of blog friends we have. I am grateful for all of our strong friendships and bonds created through a love for food….and life 🙂 I look forward to seeing you recipe!
This is a fabulous idea. Thanks for telling us about this!
So amazing that you did this, I can’t wait to see the book!
The food looks incredible!!! I feel like I can taste the pictures 😉
What a wonderful idea. I am so in admiration that all of you pooled your talents together to make this lovely, and beneficial book. I look forward to seeing your recipe Marla!
What an awesome event! And what a great cause.
I want to hang out with food bloggers and have a blast eating food and fun day of cooking, styling and shooting pictures. That sounds sooo awesome!!
Glad you all got together and made it happen!
Averie, it is always fun to be in the same room with the food blog buddies. So many wonderful people all over the world these days to connect with. I do feel very grateful.
i seriously considered buying plane tix to cali to be at this photo shoot. you’re making me wish (again) that i had. thank you for everything, marla. your help at the shoot, your recipe, helping promote. working with you has been a gift! xo
Stacie, it would have been great to see you at Rachael’s. Being moms it is hard to jet out in a moment’s notice….not to mention the cost of travel. Next time we are in the same place I look forward to getting to know you better. Congrats on all your hard work and for getting the book ready for eager hands. I hope it makes gobs of money for Japan. xo
An honorable and great cause to be able to contribute with like minded friends. Thanks for sharing Marla 🙂
What fun, Marla, and such a good cause. I can’t wait to take a look at it. 🙂
Such a great cause.
what a great project. Not only from a philanthropic point of view but from a communal perspective! cannot wait to get a copy of this book. sounds like a fun day – invite me along next time. i will chop and do the dishes!
Hey Susan, they had a great workflow. Everything was so orderly & well managed. Think I could use the help you suggested over here on a daily basis 😉 Can’t wait to hear what you think of the book!
We loved having you at the photo shoot Marla! Not only did you save us a ridiculous amount of time by making that trip to Mitsuwa for us, but your energy and love for life are always a wonderful addition to any get together! Thank you especially for your contribution to the book. XOXO
Rachael, always a treat to see you too my friend. I bet you have a bit more time to get other stuff done now that the book has hit the shelves 🙂 I wish the project the great success it deserves.
A lovely book and a great idea!
Cheers,
Rosa
looks like a lovely book
lovely site 🙂
How beautiful the concept for this post is! Love the book and the freshness of the recipes on it.
Everything looks stunning! Beautiful pictures Marla.
I’ll def check this book out!! haha that onomatopoeia reminds me of the Korean word “pegohpah” which means I’m hungry. 🙂
Congrats to you for being a part of such a wonderful cause. The food looks great!
Those dumplings look amazing, I love Rachel’s technique! This is a wonderful cause, glad to see you participating. 🙂
Wow everything looks amazing! This book looks as though it will be packed with delicious recipes 🙂
Brandy, this book if filled with amazing recipes. Marc & Rachael are so fluent in traditional Japanese cooking, it was fun to learn from them. You will be very impressed with everyone’s contributions.
Oh how fun! Sounds like it was a great day. I really admire everyone who has come together to help put out this very special book.
This book is amazing – thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to get my copy.
Good thing I live too many hours away to have joined in that day of food and fun – I have a hard time not picking at the food while I cook 🙂 It was an honor to be part of this special project. Thanks for all of your hard work, everyone! xo