Samantha’s Bazaar

COMO foodie and author invokes wonder with cookbooks, new and old.

A few months back, I came across a box full of whimsy, imagination, and — ultimately — my future. Feelings of distant nostalgia and fondness washed over my being as the box, stacked full of my childhood cookbooks, stared back at me. I had the urge to pull one out and cook something from a random page. Simultaneously, I wanted to make a day of it, picking through each book with intricate detail, examining every word, and reminiscing on bites from youth. 

These special feelings were unique, yet somehow it was as if they were mirrored when I came across Samantha Dillard. The author’s story and cookbooks embody the feeling and joy of learning and the spark of creativity. 

Biography 

Prolific cookbook author, food writer, and digital content specialist, Samantha Dillard got her start in Missouri — both literally and metaphorically. She was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri. By 2009, she was off to Columbia — where she would later live — to pursue a college career at the University of Missouri. There she relishes a captivating food community including favorites such as Just Jeffs (she mentions the seasoned cheese curds are “unlike anything around”) and Goldie’s Bagels (“That’s the kind of place you go early to pick up breakfast when your out-of-town family is visiting because you want to impress them,” she boasts.) 

Opening her career chapter, she imagined delving into photography. Dillard notes, “Eventually, I took food photography-specific courses which became a springboard for lots of great opportunities working with various food brands like ParmCrisps and NuTrail Granola to provide photos, video, and SEO-focused content to their websites.” However, post-grad she found herself exploring the blog scene.  

She explains, “[My husband and I] didn’t know how to start so we just started making recipes. The internet was quite different back then and there were fewer rules when it came to algorithms. We jokingly call it the ‘golden age of blogging’ because you could make something you love and post it and it would get hits on Google and Pinterest.” 

A lot of projects rose from that, but the most substantial came about in 2017. Dillard had received an email from her publishing company. 

“Adams Media, an imprint of Simon and Schuster publishing, was interested in an Instant Pot book for a new-ish series ‘I Love My …’ This moment seemed unreal,” she says. 

Since beginning the exploration of the series, she has written one to two books a year focusing on all kinds of niche subjects like air fryers, Instant Pots, three-step recipes, comfort food, and more. She is also the News Update Editor at Allrecipes.com, sharing news in the food world as well as her cooking knowledge. 

“I’m really happy with how things are right now with my books, contract work, and position at AllRecipes,” she adds. “Ultimately I’m just focused on what value I can bring to readers each day, and I’m grateful to do that through any avenue that opens up.” 

Dedication Page 

Not only did the story of success find her through college and unexpected pursuits, but Dillard also met her husband in the Mark Twain Dorm in 2009. Through the whirlwind of college, they grew closer. Two weeks after she graduated in 2013, they were married. 

“I can’t talk about the journey without talking about my husband Joe, as well,” Dillard emphasizes. “He’s the visionary. He’s the person behind the scenes keeping everything running. He’s also my biggest support when I’m feeling uninspired, or things happen like my camera falling into a bowl of soup right before a big photo deadline. We’ve both been all-in on this journey together and he’s been my encouragement and inspiration every step of the way.” 

In-home life and career, the pair are almost inseparable, working well together in all aspects. The two even planted an Easter egg in Dillard’s recent works. She has taken on the pen name Robin Fields, a mash between each of their hometowns. 

This is no surprise sentiment from Dillard. Despite the fondness towards her continued success, her dream and focus has always been family. 

Cookbook Recipes 

That same idea of family-orientation carries through in her body of work. The recipes keep common themes of quick, easy, budget-friendly, and crowd-pleasing. For instance, some of her newest works include a refreshing and filling three-ingredient Caesar wrap. As well, her recipe for a two-ingredient chicken bake is what they might call a “page-turner” — decadent, tender, and easy to feed a family with. 

Each of her recipes also acts like a teaching moment, emphasizing that cooking does not have to be difficult. She hopes that, after reading her work, people walk away understanding that they are capable of creating. Dillard continues, “It can certainly be discouraging when you first start and there are so many resources it can be overwhelming. My goal is always to provide clear recipes that are written from an inclusive perspective so that any skill level can find success.” 

Staff Picks 

The next work in Dillard’s series is s, released August 6, 2024. The book doesn’t necessarily aim to teach cooking skills but, instead, to provide ideas on how to combine ingredients for fast meals that are also budget friendly. 

“For so many students, it’s their first time on their own and the book’s introduction covers things like how to stock your pantry for the first time, choose the right kitchen tools, and basic food safety,” Dillard explains. “It’s a book that I hope students and their parents will appreciate for its straightforward approach.”
It was a project inspired by her time at the University of Missouri and driven by all the shortcuts she has learned. 

It’s her tenth book. The I Love My… series is large and has options for any interest including keto, gluten-free, baking, and more. 

“One thing that brought me a lot of joy recently was that Scholastic really liked my last book, I Love My Air Fryer Easy Recipe Book. They were so excited that they placed a huge order and will be putting it in book fairs nationwide in the fall,” Dillard exclaims. “As a kid, you know, book fairs were everything. So to hear from my publisher that they not only placed this order but also that it will be a special edition specifically made for Scholastic book fairs felt like such an amazing moment.” 

Childhood book fairs cannot be forgotten. The excitement, the bright book covers, the trinkets, and the idea that — with each page — imagination rises. Dillard’s books have a rightful place here. Inspiring and enchanting minds far and wide. Each copy awaits someone to spy it across the room, scoop it up, and find themselves mesmerized. 

Read Samantha Dillard’s recipes on AllRecipes.com. Find her cookbooks at Target, Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and Sam’s Club. 

Finally, Dillard also mentioned downtown Columbia’s Endwell Taverna (as featured in the July 2024 “City” issue of COMO Magazine) as a place not to miss.

“Columbia is unique because it seems there’s always something new popping up. Last week I tried Endwell Taverna’s pizza, which I’ve had my eye on for a while,” she gushes. “It was different from the typical pizza you’d find in a chain, and the crust had an awesome flavor.”