Jerrelle Guy on Burnout, Creativity, and Finding Magic in Everyday Meals

This week on Not From Concentrate, Catherine Smart sits down with cookbook author, photographer, and artist Jerrelle Guy to talk about her beautiful new cookbook, We Fancy. Jerrelle first burst onto the food scene with her acclaimed debut cookbook, Black Girl Baking, but success came with a cost. In this conversation, she shares how burnout, creative pressure, and the constant pursuit of “more” led her to rethink not just the way she cooked, but the way she lived. Catherine and Jerrelle talk about slowing down, making everyday meals feel special, and using food as a form of artistic expression. They also get into the reality of writing cookbooks, the philosophy behind We Fancy, motherhood, intuition, and the lesson that “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” For listeners interested in ADHD creativity, this conversation is a reminder that creativity does not always come from doing more. Sometimes it comes from paying attention, simplifying, and giving yourself room to notice what is already in front of you. They also dive into Jerrelle’s favorite recipes, including her famous Wednesday Sauce, tiramisu cheesecake, and the simple garnishes that helped inspire an entire cookbook. This food podcast episode is for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed, creatively drained, or disconnected from the joy of cooking. It offers a gentler way to think about ADHD cooking, creativity, abundance, and finding beauty in the small rituals of everyday meals. Not From Concentrate is a food podcast for busy brains from host Catherine Smart — a cook, writer, mom, and creative entrepreneur with ADHD. Tune in for conversations with chefs, authors, creators, and food lovers about sparking creativity, calming chaos, and finding joy in (and out) of the kitchen + subscribe to the Not From Concentrate newsletter on Substack