Pull Up a Chair: Welcome to Season 2 of Stephanie’s Recipe Journal
Stephanie Amlung, Host
When you watch Stephanie’s Recipe Journal, you may see a beautifully prepared meal and a finished kitchen. But there is a funny moment that happens at the start of every filming day. The lights aren’t on yet. The cameras are still being unpacked. A crew member is adjusting a microphone, someone else is carrying stacks of dishes across the room, and we’re all pretending not to notice the butterflies.
Then a voice asks, “Are we ready?” The truth? I’m never completely ready. And I hope I never am. Because those little butterflies remind me that what we’re creating matters.
With our first round of filming wrapped and the premiere ahead in September, the start of Season 2 has been beautifully stitched together, one ordinary moment at a time. We’ve tested sauces and debated desserts. We’ve moved decorative flowers from one side of the counter to the other. We’ve rearranged props simply because the butter dish looked happier three inches to the left. Our team has poured thought into every detail — because this isn’t just about filming a recipe. We’re here to tell a story.
That’s one of the details that I’m most proud of this season. Every episode captures a feeling. Cherish the serenity of a slow morning, the radiance of a simmering afternoon, the joy of a holiday evening or the gift of setting the table for someone you love.
Those feelings matter just as much as the recipes themselves because for me, the kitchen has always been where life happened. It’s where birthdays were celebrated, stories were shared, tears were dried, and ordinary Tuesday evenings somehow became unforgettable. The ordinary moments become extraordinary because of the people we share them with, and that’s the spirit I hope you find woven throughout every episode this season.
Yes, we will learn new recipes and pick up techniques that make cooking a little easier. We will set beautiful place settings and gather herbs from the garden. But more than anything, I hope each episode inspires you to use cooking to create your own memories. Invite a neighbor over for coffee. Use the “good” dishes tucked away in the cabinet. Light the candle you’ve been saving and make your evening feel a little more special. These simple moments are often the ones we remember years from now.
As we get ready to share this new season with you, the production has been a story of its own. If you spend a day on set, you will see camera equipment tucked into unexpected corners, flour sitting out on the counter, and herbs waiting in line for their close-up. You will see our crew laughing at the small mistakes together, and you’ll probably catch me concentrating just a little too hard on making sure everything is “just right.” (Old habits die hard!)
The set of Stephanie’s Recipe Journal is a sandbox where friendships form, ideas take shape, and recipes evolve through trial and error. We are a group of creators who find joy in producing something beautiful together. Every episode is touched by many hands before it ever reaches yours, and I feel incredibly grateful for each person who has helped bring this little dream to life.
And now, before the first episode even airs, I’d like to thank you, too. Whether you’ve been with us since the very beginning or you’re discovering Stephanie’s Recipe Journal for the first time, you’ve become part of this story. Your kind messages, your encouragement, the stories you’ve shared, and the recipes you’ve made in your own kitchens have reminded me why we started this journey in the first place.
Thank you for opening your homes—and your hearts—to me. I hope you pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, and join us for another season of finding a little magic in the everyday. We are so glad you’re here.
With love,
Stephanie
As we await the Season 2 premiere, you can watch past episodes of Stephanie’s Recipe Journal on CET and ThinkTV14. Search our schedule for airdates or watch on the PBS App.
