THE PROCESS

THE ASK

Introducing Our Demo Recipe Walkthrough
Experience our comprehensive demo recipe walkthrough as we guide you through our unique process. Our full package offering will be showcased, providing you with a complete understanding of our approach.

Project Overview: Citrus-Centric Recipe Development and Photography
Saucy Studios will spearhead the creation of a vibrant citrus recipe, aligning closely with the brand's distinct identity. The focus lies on crafting an intelligent, inviting, and engaging culinary concept. With an audience passionate about gastronomy, the recipes will exude the brand's characteristics of brightness, vividness, and playfulness, which will be vividly translated through captivating photography.

THE CONCEPTING

Recipe Ideation Process

Our recipe development process kicks off with brainstorming different approaches. We begin by drafting up ideas accompanied by reference imagery to spark discussion and inspiration. After careful consideration, here are the concepts we've devised for this recipe:

  • Pomelo Salad with Fresh Herbs, Crispy Shallots, Chili Crisp, and Cucumber

  • Slow Roasted Salmon with Fennel, Citrus, and Herbs

  • Grapefruit and Scallop Crudo with Radish

THE DEVELOPMENT

DEVELOPMENT PHASES

Our recipes undergo a meticulous two-phase development process, ensuring that we stay aligned with your culinary vision. After concepting, we decided to go with the Grapefruit and Scallop Crudo with Radish, due to its invigorating and bright flavor profile.
Throughout the initial phase, we meticulously experimented with various textures to complement the succulent scallop and zesty grapefruit. Soft and velvety avocado, fiery chilis, and crisp radishes were just a few of the elements tested, ultimately completing our Initial Phase of the recipe's development.
While everything was progressing splendidly, our midway Revision Phase prompted a thrilling twist. We collectively decided to introduce a secondary citrus product to infuse a delightful, sweeter dimension to the flavor profile, thereby elevating the dish to new heights.

THE TESTING

CROSS-TEST PHASES

Now that we know what we are looking for, we take it to the kitchen! Our recipes are made and tweaked as needed. We like our processes to be simple and straightforward, while still ensuring our ingredients shine and the flavor profile is balanced yet exciting. Anything that doesn’t jive with that, doesn’t stay! While our recipe had a good base, we bumped up the acid to bring on that zingy quality and tested our marinating time until it was just right! This phase makes certain everything is good to go for the next phase.

SET THE SCENE

PrOP AND SURFACES

Title: Curating the Perfect Presentation
As we delve into our Prop and Surface collection, our mission is to unearth the ideal accessories that will not only highlight the delectable Grapefruit and Scallop Crudo but also communicate the brand's narrative with finesse. Carefully sifting through the array of options, we meticulously craft a selection of ideas until we pinpoint the one that perfectly encapsulates our vision. It's a meticulous process, ensuring that every prop and surface speaks in harmony with the brand's distinctive voice, culminating in a presentation that captivates and delights.

THE PHOTOGRAPHY

DAY OF SHOOT

Saucy Studios: Behind the Scenes
At Saucy Studios, our shoots encompass a range of elements, from food preparation and styling to prop arranging and photography. Today's focus is on capturing the alluring essence of our Grapefruit and Scallop Crudo dish in a compelling beauty recipe image. A key aspect of our process involves ensuring that the resulting image is versatile and adaptable for diverse formats. To achieve this, we meticulously craft three different crop options—vertical, horizontal, and square—alongside the high-resolution uncropped image. This attention to detail and flexibility guarantees that our visuals can seamlessly slot into any desired layout or platform.

THE RETOUCHING

POST-PRODUCTION PHASE

At Saucy Studios, we meticulously format all our imagery into vertical, horizontal, and square crops to cater to different platforms and purposes. Every image undergoes a gentle retouching process to ensure they meet our high standards. This involves removing any unnecessary blemishes from the produce, enhancing the saturation to make the colors pop, and applying an overall toning that aligns with the brand’s vibrant and high-contrast aesthetic, bringing our visuals to life.

GRAPEFRUIT & SCALLOP CRUDO

Ingredients

4 servings

2 large grapefruits

½ small red onion, thinly sliced

1 large purple or watermelon radish or 3–4 small red radishes, trimmed, thinly sliced

3 Tbsp. fish sauce

3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

2 tsp. honey

2 Tbsp. raw cashews

1 avocado, thinly sliced

Kosher salt

1Fresno chile, very thinly sliced

Extra-virgin olive oil (for drizzling)

Preparation

Step 1

  1. Using a small knife, cut away peel and white pith from 2 large grapefruits; discard. Cut between membranes to release segments into a medium bowl; discard membranes. Cut segments into large pieces, then add ½ small red onion, thinly sliced, and 1 large purple or watermelon radish or 3–4 small red radishes, trimmed, thinly sliced, to bowl. Drizzle 3 Tbsp. fish sauce, 3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, and 2 tsp. honey over and gently toss to combine. Let sit 10 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, toast 2 Tbsp. raw cashews in a dry small skillet over medium-high heat, tossing occasionally, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly; chop.

    Step 3

    Arrange 1 avocado, thinly sliced, on a platter; season with kosher salt. Top with grapefruit, radish (you’ll be able to fold the slices if they’ve sat in the dressing long enough), red onion, and 1 Fresno chile, very thinly sliced, tucking some around. Spoon some of the dressing left in the bowl over, then drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and scatter cashews on top.

TAKE IT FURTHER

TAKE IT FURTHER

But wait! This asset can work so much harder. Here’s some optional add-ons to give it even more life.

  • Micro-Animation

    a quick frame motion that brings the dish to life

  • SHORT FORM VIDEO OR STOP MOTION

    designed for social to showcase the recipe process.

  • PROCESS IMAGES

    Corresponding imagery to the process of the recipe helps inform and educate.

  • ADDITIONAL COMPOSITIONS

    Some fresh perspectives.

  • Romance Copy

    We get the message across in 2-3 lines.

  • NUTRITIONAL INFO

    All the stats behind the recipe.