Content Assistant & Recipe Support at Sipresh
Based in Austin, Texas
I’m Coline Reynolds, and I help make sure every recipe on Sipresh feels clear, approachable, and easy to follow.
I don’t develop the recipes — that’s Zoe’s expertise. But I work behind the scenes to polish the content, organize feedback, and ensure the site maintains a consistent, welcoming voice.
My goal is simple: when you land on a Sipresh recipe, it should feel like a friend is walking you through the process.
How I Found My Way to Food Content
I’ve always been drawn to food, but not in the traditional sense. I’m interested in how food content is presented — the language, the structure, the small details that make instructions easy to follow.
Before joining Sipresh, I worked in editorial roles for lifestyle brands, helping shape blog content, refine copy, and organize reader engagement. I noticed that the best food content wasn’t just about great recipes — it was about how those recipes were communicated.
A recipe could be technically perfect but still feel intimidating if the instructions were rushed, overly technical, or missing context.
That’s the gap I try to fill.
Why Recipe Language Matters
In 2020, I was cooking more than ever (like most people during that time). I tried dozens of recipes from different blogs, and I started noticing patterns.
Some recipes felt like they were written for people who already knew how to cook. They skipped steps, used jargon without explanation, and assumed you could “eyeball” things confidently.
Other recipes held your hand too much — overexplaining every detail to the point of being condescending.
The best recipes struck a balance: clear without being patronizing, detailed without being overwhelming, and written in a tone that felt supportive rather than performative.
That’s what I aim for at Sipresh.
What I Do at Sipresh
My role focuses on three main areas:
Content refinement: I review recipe introductions, headnotes, and instructions to ensure they’re clear, concise, and consistent with Sipresh’s voice. If something feels overly complicated or vague, I flag it.
Organizational support: I help manage the editorial calendar, track reader feedback, and ensure content is published on schedule. This includes coordinating with Zoe and Jason to prioritize recipe updates based on reader questions.
Reader engagement: I monitor comments, emails, and social media to identify recurring issues or questions. If multiple readers are confused by the same step, that’s a signal the recipe needs adjustment.
Essentially, I’m the bridge between the recipes Zoe creates and the readers who use them.
My Process for Reviewing Recipes
When Zoe sends me a draft recipe, I read it from the perspective of someone who’s never made the dish before.
I ask questions like:
- Would this make sense to someone cooking after a long day?
- Are the steps in the order people actually cook?
- Is anything assumed but not explained?
- Does the recipe feel encouraging or overwhelming?
- Are there moments where someone might pause or hesitate?
If the answer to any of these questions reveals a problem, I suggest revisions. Sometimes it’s as simple as reordering two steps. Other times it requires rewriting an entire paragraph for clarity.
The goal is always the same: make the recipe feel achievable.
What I’ve Learned About Food Content
After working with Sipresh for three years, a few principles have become clear:
Clarity trumps cleverness. A straightforward sentence is always better than a witty one if it means the reader understands the instructions faster.
Active voice beats passive voice. “Sauté the onions until soft” is clearer than “The onions should be sautéed until soft.”
Specificity matters. “Cook until golden brown” is more helpful than “Cook until done.”
Tone makes a difference. Recipes should feel supportive, not demanding. “If you don’t have shallots, regular onions work just fine” is better than “Shallots are essential for this recipe.”
Small tweaks compound. Changing one confusing sentence might seem minor, but across an entire recipe, those small improvements add up to a significantly better experience.
Why I Care About This Work
I care about recipe content because I know what it’s like to give up halfway through a dish because the instructions didn’t make sense.
Cooking should feel accessible, not frustrating. A good recipe should remove doubt, not create it.
Everything I review at Sipresh is done with that moment in mind — the moment when someone is standing in their kitchen, reading a recipe on their phone, trying to figure out if they’re doing it right.
If I can make that moment feel easier, I’ve done my job.
My Approach to Content
I believe good food content should:
- Guide without pressure. Recipes should encourage experimentation, not demand perfection.
- Be honest about effort. If something takes time, say so. Don’t promise “quick and easy” if it’s actually “worth the effort.”
- Respect the reader’s time. Every word should serve a purpose. Long-winded introductions and unnecessary backstory waste time.
- Feel flexible. Cooking isn’t rigid. Recipes should acknowledge substitutions and variations.
- Build confidence. The best recipes leave people feeling capable, not intimidated.
Life Beyond Sipresh
Outside of work, I enjoy organizing meal plans, testing kitchen shortcuts, and collecting handwritten recipe notes from dishes I’ve loved.
I’m drawn to routines that make cooking feel calmer — prepping vegetables on Sunday, keeping a running list of pantry staples, and using the same tried-and-true recipes on busy weeks.
I also reread recipes multiple times before starting to cook. It’s an old habit, but it helps me visualize the process before I begin.
Let’s Make Cooking Feel Easier
If you’ve ever stopped halfway through a recipe because something didn’t make sense, I understand. That’s exactly what I work to prevent.
Every recipe on Sipresh is reviewed with that experience in mind. Clear, calm cooking — that’s always the goal.
Get in touch:
Coline@sipresh.com