Course handoutCulture and storytelling
Recording family recipes and stories
Ways to record and keep recipes, stories and memories for the future.
Theory and discussion only · Community education, not accredited training
Key takeaways
- 01Recipes and stories that live only in memory can be lost if not recorded.
- 02Always ask permission before recording, and let people stop or change their mind.
- 03Keep more than one copy, clearly labelled, and respect the storyteller’s wishes.
In this course
01Why recipes and stories are worth keeping
- Many recipes live only in memory
- Records help younger generations learn and connect
- Recording honours the person who shares
02Writing a recipe as a story
- Start with the dish’s name and its story
- List ingredients with amounts where you can
- Write the steps in the cook’s own words
- Include tips, changes and serving customs
03Recording with audio, video or photographs
- Audio captures voice and language
- Video shows techniques and movement
- Photos show steps and the finished dish
- Test first and keep sessions short
04Asking permission to record someone
- Explain what, why and who will see it
- Let the person choose the topics
- They can stop or change their mind
- Ask again before sharing more widely
05Keeping records for the future
- Keep at least two copies
- Store paper away from damp and sunlight
- Label files clearly with names and dates
- Follow the storyteller’s wishes about access
Talk it over
- Is there a recipe or story in your family that you would like to keep?
- What are the strengths of writing, audio and video for recording a recipe?
- How would you explain to someone what a recording is for?
- What should happen if someone asks you to delete their recording?
Reflect
Choose one recipe or story you would like to keep. Who could you ask, and how would you record it?
Where would you keep this record so it stays safe for the future?