How Chef Hillary Sterling Found Her Kitchen Spark Again

About this episode

Chef Hillary Sterling discusses her journey of regaining confidence and creativity in the kitchen after a challenging review.

In her new cookbook, Ammazza!, chef Hillary Sterling writes that “a scathing NewYork Times review left me with so much self-doubt that I stopped creating new dishes for fear of judgment and failure.” In this episode of The Dinner Plan, Hillary talks with host Maggie Hoffman about how she lost her confidence and creative drive in the kitchen, and how she found her cooking creativity again. If you’ve ever struggled to come up with dinner ideas night after night, this episode is for you; Hillary shares her go-to easy spring dinners, her favorite cookbooks from a vast collection, and her no-boredom family-friendly meal prep method. For pasta recipes from Hillary and a chance to win the book, head over to The Dinner Plan’s newsletter at TheDinnerPlan.Substack.com . __ Thanks to today's sponsors: Rouxbe Online Culinary School:  Get 30% off your first course with code DINNERPLAN30 at Rouxbe.com/dinnerplan Made In Cookware:  Head to  madein.cc/dinnerplan  to unlock your discount offer. TCHO Chocolate: If you’re a chef, baker, or maker in the sweets business, request a chocolate sample at TCHOpro.com Find Cake Picnic from Chronicle Books wherever you buy cookbooks…

People in this episode

Host: Maggie Hoffman

Guest: Hillary Sterling

Topics covered

• cooking creativity
• dinner ideas
• cookbooks
• meal prep
• chef interviews

Keywords

• cooking
• dinner ideas
• cookbook
• meal prep
• chef interview
• spring dinners

Sponsors

Rouxbe Online Culinary School, Made In Cookware, TCHO Chocolate, Society Insurance

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New York Times, Chronicle Books

More episodes of The Dinner Plan

• Georgina Hayden’s Best Tricks for Modern Mediterranean Cooking · June 8, 2026 · 45 min
• Claudette Zepeda’s Secret Ingredients for Bigger, Bolder Flavor · June 1, 2026 · 43 min
• Move Your Meal Prep to the Grill With Noah Galuten · May 23, 2026 · 53 min
• What It’s Actually Like at America’s Top Culinary School, With Brigid Washington · May 18, 2026 · 52 min
• Özlem Warren’s Weeknight Shortcuts for Turkish Classics · May 8, 2026 · 41 min
• How Anna Stockwell Makes Hosting a Whole Weekend Feel Like No Big Deal · May 4, 2026 · 49 min