Anyone Can Cook, with Pixar: The Official Cookbook and Tara Theoharis

On the podcast, I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Tara Theoharis, an author and the founder of the food blog The Geeky Hostess, where she has been sharing recipes based on pop culture fandoms since 2009. Her cookbooks embrace recipes inspired by beloved video games such as Minecraft and Tomb Raider, as well as the world of musical theatre! 

And now, along with cowriter S.T. Bende, Tara brings the creative world of Pixar Animation Studios into your kitchen with  PIXAR: The Official Cookbook, sharing more than 75 delicious recipes inspired by nearly every beloved Pixar short and film, including Toy Story, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and more! 

In this episode, we chat about her inspiration in developing recipes from these iconic films, her personal favorite Pixar movie, how to cultivate and nourish creativity in the kitchen, and more!

Tell us more about your unique approach to cookbooks

I write unique cookbooks inspired by fandoms—everything from Broadway musicals to video games. These books are more than just recipes; they’re immersive experiences that pull from the featured foods, atmosphere, and ambiance of the worlds they’re based on. Whether re-creating dishes mentioned in a movie or crafting meals inspired by a game’s environment, each book is a deep dive into the fandom.

As a self-proclaimed geek and lifelong theatre kid, I’ve always been passionate about fully immersing myself in these worlds. My goal is to engage fellow fans and families, bringing them into the experience through food while teaching them to cook. Writing these cookbooks is a passion project, allowing me to combine my love for musical theatre, gaming, movies, and cooking.

For my latest project—my fifth book—I focused on Pixar shorts and movies, with Ratatouille being a personal favorite. For this book, I rewatched the movies, took screengrabs and notes, researched recipes, and then added my own flair to make them accessible for home cooks. 

These cookbooks are more than just collections of recipes; they’re also love letters to the fandoms, packed with behind-the-scenes stories, insights, and fun extras. 

Working with my co-writer, a Disney and Pixar superfan, has been a bright and enthusiastic collaboration. Together, we’ve created something that’s not just a cookbook, but a true celebration of the worlds we love.

Tell us more about your new book, PIXAR: The Official Cookbook

PIXAR: The Official Cookbook is a culinary journey through every film Pixar has created, from its early short films in the ‘80s to its latest releases. The book is organized chronologically, starting with the 1984-1999 era, then 2000-2009, 2010-2019, and 2020-today. Each film has a dedicated recipe, making this a treasure trove for even the biggest Pixar fans. 

If you’d like to watch along with each recipe, every short and movie is available to stream on Disney+. 

This cookbook is designed for the whole family—not just kids or adults. It features recipes that are accessible yet special, allowing everyone to try something new. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned chef, there’s something for everyone. I want kids to flip through the pages, see what excites them, and feel empowered to get involved in the kitchen. My 4-year-old son helped with the book as a little taste tester, and I’ve dedicated it to him.

One of my biggest goals with this book is to help readers build confidence and creativity in the kitchen. I recommend that readers start by following the recipes exactly, but feel free to make them your own. Every recipe can be adapted to suit your tastes. I encourage readers to make notes, experiment, and personalize the recipes. The cookbook even includes a section in the back for you to jot down your own adjustments.

Pixar: The Official Cookbook
by Tara Theoharis and S. T. Bende
(Insight Editions, 2024)

Related posts

Add relevant links here