Well hello there. Grab a chopping board, open your notebook, and come on in. There’s coffee in the pot, and wine in the fridge. I’m Rosie Birkett: cookbook author and food writer, former Sunday Times/Guardian Feast recipe columnist, ex-East Londoner and new-ish mum living on the Kent coast. You might know me from Instagram, my cookbooks/East London Food books, telly, or maybe you’ve found your way here all by yourself. Perhaps you used to read my blog of the same name. Either way, I’m really pleased you’re here, and I hope you will be too.
This is the place for you if you’re seeking recipe and lifestyle inspiration, all peppered with a little bit of everyday deliciousness. It’s about making the best of what you’ve got, cooking up a storm with the gifts of the seasons (and, importantly, whatever’s in your fridge/cupboard) and living abundantly. And by abundantly, I don’t mean extravagantly - I mean having the wherewithal to rustle up a ridiculously tasty lunch or supper for your mates and loved ones, without breaking the bank or slaving away for days. I want us to cook good things together that you’ll be able to make - or grab out of the fridge or freezer - for that date you’ve got in the diary, so that when it comes around, you’re ahead of the game and ready to mingle, without getting too sweaty or messy. To be fair though, no one I’ve ever hosted has minded me when I’ve been either of those things.
Free time for fun with friends and family is so precious, and I really want to help you make the most of it. This newsletter is where I’ll share more of my recommendations, writing and cooking by the sea, with regular food and lifestyle-focused dispatches straight to your inbox, completely free from the whims of the algorithms. I’ll be sharing where I travel, shop and eat, and there will probably also be some house renovation and interiors stuff too, as well as cooking for friends and family, mixing and drinking tasty cocktails… Making the most of being alive, basically, and doing it as joyfully as possible.
I called this newsletter A Lot On Her Plate because it all feels rather full circle: it was the name of my first food blog (if you’ve been with me since those days then I applaud you!), and then my very first cookbook, which was tested and written from our tiny basement kitchen in Vancouver and then Hackney, and unleashed the salted caramel popcorn cheesecake on the world. These days I’ve got even more on my plate, having been blessed with a much longed-for baby daughter last year, but I’m still as hungy as ever - hell, being a mum is tiring, and I’m even hungrier - which means that there will be an emphasis here on making life easier in the kitchen, without compromising on joy or flavour.
It’s about sprinkling some magic on the everyday, and it’s all here - from how I plan and cater for friends on weekends away (and crucially, where we’re staying), what I’m cooking for my family midweek, to how I moodboarded, designed and created our wild and wonderful downstairs loo. I’ll be keeping some posts free and public, but paid subscribers get to see everything I write, my tried and tested monthly weekend hero recipes (and entire recipe archive), special access to travel guides and personal recommendations, membership of our lovely growing community and ‘ask me anythings’, amazing food-based giveaways, voice notes and other cool extras.
Why pay?
By becoming a paid subscriber, you support me and the work that I do so that I can keep on doing it, and keep on sharing. This is a scary (but exciting) new venture for me, without the support of a big media company behind me. And I won’t lie, it takes time (sometimes hours, more often days) to perfect a recipe. It also takes a tonne of ingredients which are more expensive than ever. Writing too, is a time consuming process, and I truly believe that in a world of ubiquitous, advertising-riddled free content that is often jarring to read and use, we should attach more value to well curated, high quality publishing, and pay our writers and creators. When so many of us might not quibble over spending a few quid on a flat white more than once a week, there’s a case for treating yourself to a life-enhancing newsletter subscription every now and then. In short, your support will truly make a massive difference here.
What you’ll get as a free subscriber
A free fortnightly newsletter. These will be fun, informal and free-flowing with the rhythms and moods of life, and will usually include a recipe.
Upgrade to paid to sprinkle more magic
Paid subscribers will hear from me every week. Sometimes it’ll be what I’m shopping for and cooking for my family, or what’s in my cupboards, other weeks it’ll be where I’m eating, drinking and sipping the best coffee; which cookbooks I’m loving, house projects I’m moodboarding, trips and menus I’m inspired by and/or planning, and everything else in between… you get the idea. There will be easy, breezy midweek recipes, seasonal menu plan ideas that look ahead to what’s coming into season, and helpful cooking/kitchen tips included in this.
On the last Friday of every month (most people’s payday), paid subscribers will receive my ‘Something For the Weekend’ seasonal weekend recipes: tried and tested hero recipes to sprinkle some magic on your weekend. These will be easy-but-elevated recipes ideal for cooking and sharing at the weekend. Some months this might look like a full dinner party menu, with everything from a whimsical welcome cocktail to a knock-out, prep-ahead dessert, other months it could be an effortless slow cooker supper, cake for that Saturday afternoon coffee, and a banging Sunday brunch dish. In high summer it might be a sensational salad and bake-ahead tart for a long, lazy sunshine lunch, with bottomless rose. Whatever it is, it’ll be guaranteed to delight you and anyone in your vicinity, and it’ll be coming straight into your inbox every month. This will also be the place for my travel guides: write-ups and lists from trips I’ve taken recently and plan on making (because I see all those lovely DMs), along with occasional delicious chats with my inspiring friends in food.
It costs £6 a month or £50 a year, which, if you take out an annual membership works out at around £1 a week, so less than a fancy coffee.
I do however understand that with the cost of living crisis, this may not be an option for everyone. If you are having a difficult time then you need only email me, and we can work something out. Or, if you are in the lucky position of being able to buy a subscription for someone who would benefit from joining this community then you can do so by clicking below.
Other cool things you’ll get as a paid subscriber
*Access to exclusive giveaways and discounts with the brands I work with and love
*Once a month ‘ask me anything’ sessions where I’ll answer your burning questions like how I got into food or how to get the most out of your celeriac
*Post comments and be a part of our community of food-loving peeps, with little behind-the-scenes videos and voice notes like what that must-order dish at my new favourite restaurant might be
*My travel black book - deets on where I’m staying and eating when we travel, as well as my guides from recent trips (by popular DM demand!)
*Full, unlimited access to my recipe archive
Or why not become a founding member?
For those of you who want to become even more involved with this joyful little community, I am offering a limited number of founding memberships. This is for those who want to help get A Lot On Her Plate off to a flying start and become even more up to speed. It costs £150 and for that you also get:
*Special ‘evening with Rosie’ Zoom cookalong, bringing some of my recipes to life together, over wine (or mocktails!)
*A signed copy of my one of my books of your choice
*Post comments and be a part of our community of food-loving peeps, with little behind-the-scenes videos and voice notes
If you’re interested in becoming one of my first founding members (you legend), then simply click below:
