Food Styling for Cookbook “Whisk Me Away”

Professional food and prop styling for the 'Whisk Me Away' cookbook advertisement. The image features the cookbook surrounded by curated, historical-themed props and dishes, highlighting the Proper Romance brand aesthetic
Victorian Tea: Embracing the ornate, structured beauty of the Victorian era. The styling here prioritized traditional layers and rich, classic textures to evoke a sense of period-accurate sophistication.

Whisk Me Away is more than just a cookbook—it is an immersive journey through time. Tasked with styling for the "Proper Romance" brand, I had the pleasure of collaborating with author Michelle Wright, publisher Heidi Gordon, and photographer Shane Huntsman to bring these historical culinary experiences to life.

The challenge was to capture the distinct visual language of five different eras: the refined allure of Regency tea parties, the opulent splendor of Victorian banquets, the gritty aesthetic of Steampunk, and the rustic, welcoming warmth of Western-inspired gatherings. My role was to curate the environments, props, and textures that grounded each recipe in its specific historical context, ensuring that every image told a story before the reader even read the recipe.

This project was a true creative collaboration. Working closely with the art direction and photography team, we focused on "world-building" through food and prop styling. By balancing authentic historical details with modern, appetizing food styling, we created a visual narrative that invites the reader to step into the pages of their favorite Proper Romance novel. I helped create the "adorable, cozy, romantic" visuals praised by Booklist, contributing to its impressive 4.7-star rating on Amazon.

  • Author: Michelle Wright

  • Photography: Shane Huntsman

  • Retouching: Easton Madsen

  • Publishing: Heidi Gordon

  • Styling Alexandra Bingham

The final imagery supports a cookbook that moves between tea parties, formal dinners, and more casual, rustic settings—requiring a wide styling range while maintaining visual consistency.

Whisk Me Away is available for purchase on [Amazon]

Western: Creating the rustic warmth of a Western BBQ, using textures that feel authentic and lived-in.
Regency: Styling the ball: Focusing on delicate textures and refined, historical elegance.
Steampunk/Victorian: Blending opulence with historical trivia, styling tableaus that bridge the gap between fiction and reality.
Victorian Picnic: Capturing the romance of the era outdoors. Styling focused on airy, natural elements and authentic historical details to create a scene that feels plucked from a novel.
Victorian Formal Dinner: Orchestrating an opulent table setting. By carefully selecting props that reflected the grandeur of the time, I helped build a formal dining experience that feels both immersive and timeless.