Peter Som is not just a fashion designer. He’s also a lifestyle expert who perfectly understands the art of entertaining. On March 18, Som will release his debut cookbook,  FAMILY STYLE: Elegant Everyday Recipes Inspired by Home and Heritage from Harvest (Harper Collins).

The book is a natural extension to Som’s world, which includes the culinary-focused vertical The Extra Taste which meets at intersection of fashion, food, interiors, and design via weekly recipes, pantry and cooking content, and design and entertaining advice.

It features over 100 recipes – think sophisticated but not intimidating, like Peter himself. Recipes nod at Som’s Chinese American heritage – including his grandmother’s Cantonese dishes – and childhood memories from his San Francisco upbringing with a mother who loved French cuisine. The overall vibe is unfussy, and recipes are accompanied with musings on dining etiquette guide and a “What’s in My Pantry” section.

Recipes include This and That: Potsticker Frittata, Hong Kong French Toast Grilled Cheese, and Matzo Ball Egg Drop Soup, and delicious dishes range from Honeydew and Cucumber with Halloumi and Togarashi Hot Honey to Caramel Cod with Fragrant Lime Coconut Rice and Mom’s Five-Spice Chicken. The Not Too Sweet section is equally irresistible. We vote for the Miso Roasted Carrot Slab Cake with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting and the Lychee Lime Pavlova!

We spoke to Peter about the inspiration for the book, the importance of food in his upbringing, the special recipes, and more.

What inspired you to do your first cookbook?

The inspiration for this cookbook came from finding the recipes of my grandmother. She passed more than 20 years ago but recently my family found a spiral bound notebook filled with 20 years of recipes that nobody knew about. It started a journey for me to rediscover her recipes I grew up eating—and from there a cookbook began to take shape.

I realized that cooking for her was obviously necessity, but it was also her way to bring people together and that I was — through that recipe notebook — getting to know her all over again even this many years later.

Cooking — and entertaining — has always been a part of life, and for me, during my runway years, cooking was the thing that kept my feet on the ground. Coming home after a day of fittings or design meetings…nothing was more centering than being able to cook a meal and share it with loved ones.

So at the end of the day, what inspired this cookbook was to honor the legacy and story of my grandmother and also my mom through my food — how their love of food and cooking and gathering together has influenced me.

What role did food play in your family and upbringing?

Food was completely central to family life growing up. We always would discuss what we were having for dinner during lunch — that sort of thing.  I think a lot of families can relate!

What does cooking/food mean to you?

Food and cooking is about community and bringing people together. I’ve often found that it may seem like it’s all about the food — but really it’s all about the people around the table. Food is the glue.

How did you select the recipes? Which one is your favorite?

I developed more than 100 recipes—many of them from my grandmother and my mom, and many are my recipes. It wasn’t easy! It was akin to merchandising a collection…how many chicken recipes? Do we have enough salads?

I have so many favorites—my Hoisin Honey Roast Chicken is one I love so much I put it on the cover! My radicchio and fennel salad with creamy miso maple dressing is also a favorite and one that I’ve started making regularly. And there’s also my grandma’s apple cake recipe in the book —I’ve paired it with a salted caramel.

How do you like to entertain? 

For me, I love an easy relaxed feel — lights dimmed, candles lit, a great group of people and lots of platters of food, served family style of course!

What’s next for you?

I’m excited to be going on my first book tour for Family Style, but have lots of other exciting projects in the works!