OG content creator Remi Cruz Parsons, widely recognized by her username Miss Remi Ashten, is launching her first cookbook. The 31-year-old creator has built a massive following through her day-in-the-life vlogs and co-hosting a popular podcast over the last six years.

From Vlogs to Versatile Recipes

A Passion for Food on Display

Parsons has long shared her culinary enthusiasm with her audience, even launching a dedicated YouTube channel, “Cooking with Remi.” Her content showcases a genuine love for food, whether she is making a friend’s favorite takeout or preparing a special matcha drink.

Earlier this year, Parsons officially announced the debut cookbook, titled ‘Let’s Get Cooking: Everyday Meals, Tipsy Favorites, and Comfort Food Cravings.’ Fans of her channel will recognize many dishes, as the book compiles recipes she has made on camera for years.

Accessibility and Variety

Despite hosting major holiday dinners and traveling extensively to sample global cuisines, Parsons emphasizes that the book remains surprisingly accessible and varied. She aims to provide recipes suitable for all skill levels.

The Journey of Creating the Cookbook

A Long-Term Project

The process began in 2022 with writing the book proposal, followed by selecting a publisher. Parsons noted that the entire experience successfully “reactivated my love for cooking and creating recipes.”

The most demanding aspect was integrating the intensive recipe testing into her existing demanding schedule across all her platforms. She did not want to slow down her regular content output.

Intensive Recipe Testing

For about five months, testing occurred nearly every day she wasn't recording her podcast. Her team and her husband, Cal, participated in the daily testing sessions.

This collaborative feedback was crucial. Parsons explained that having people at different cooking skill levels helped identify steps that seemed easy to her but might be difficult for others. “I was really trying to make this book for everybody,” she stated.

Insights on Korean Cuisine and Hosting

A Pantry Staple for Korean Cooking

Parsons dedicates a section in the book to Korean food, a cuisine she grew up with and now craves as comfort food. If someone is new to making Korean dishes, she strongly recommends stocking Gochujang.

She noted that Gochujang is now easily accessible, even at stores like Trader Joe’s. While writing down the recipes she learned from her mother over the years, she realized the underlying ingredient similarities, which she addresses in a “Korean primer” in the book to make the cuisine feel less daunting.

Remi’s Top Hosting Rule

When hosting gatherings, Parsons has a specific, non-traditional rule: “Get ready first.” She learned that no matter how well a schedule is planned, hosts often run late if they try to prepare themselves last minute.

Now, she prepares herself in the morning and cooks throughout the day. This allows her to interact with guests as they arrive, even if she is still in the kitchen.

Curating the Guest Experience

Parsons believes the best hosting involves curating the experience based on what guests enjoy. She cited remembering a friend’s favorite, hard-to-find ice cream flavor as an example of making guests feel special.

She also shared her method for thoughtful gift-giving, which relies heavily on listening and taking notes throughout the year. This ensures that when an occasion arrives, the gift makes the recipient feel “really seen.”

Personal Reflections and House Rules

Reflecting on the Host Experience

While Parsons focused heavily on the guest experience, she admitted she wishes she had dedicated more care to her own well-being during events. She was often overstimulated and stressed.

She recalled a piece of advice from friend Alisha Marie: “You’re allowed to look at me and ask me one time if people are having fun,” as Parsons constantly worried about guest enjoyment.

Daily Habits and Lighthearted Takes

Parsons maintains two key personal habits: her house is a no-shoes zone, and she makes her bed daily, believing it sets a positive tone for the day ahead.

When asked about gossip, she admitted to enjoying TikTok gossip but steers clear of drama within her immediate friend groups, preferring reality television commentary. In a game of Kiss, Marry, Kill involving collectible figures, she chose to marry Sonny Angels, kiss Jellycats, and kill Labubus.