Houston – If you’ve ever scrolled through social media and suddenly felt inspired to get in the kitchen, chances are you’ve come across Maxine Sharf.
The culinary creator behind Maxi’s Kitchen has built a massive following by sharing easy, feel-good recipes alongside her mom, Ann. Now, those viral moments are turning into something even bigger. Her debut cookbook, Maxi’s Kitchen: Easy Go-To Recipes to Make Again and Again, is officially out, and the mother-daughter duo stopped by Houston Life to share their story.
Back in 2022, Maxine was laid off from her job in tech after a decade in the industry. She says the news came suddenly, in the form of an email, and left her understandably shaken.
“I cried most of the day,” she shared but then things changed. She felt the need to pursue her dreams.
The very next day, she picked up her camera and filmed three recipe videos. She hasn’t stopped since.
That leap of faith paid off. Today, Maxine has millions of followers across social media, with fans drawn to her approachable recipes and the natural chemistry she shares with her mom on screen.
Ann, who joins her daughter in many of the videos, admits she didn’t quite see this coming.
“When she first said she was going to do this full time, I thought maybe she should just get another job,” Ann said with a laugh. “I was wrong.”
Their bond in the kitchen goes back years. Maxine recalls a difficult time in middle school when friendships fell apart. Instead of letting her daughter sit with that hurt, Ann invited her into the kitchen.
“She said, if you’re going to be home, let’s cook together,” Maxine said. “That’s when I really started to fall in love with cooking.”
Now, that shared experience is at the heart of everything they create.
The cookbook reflects that same sense of comfort and connection. It features 95 recipes inspired by Maxine’s multicultural background, including Korean, Chinese, and Eastern European influences, along with Italian and Mediterranean flavors picked up through family and travel.
The book is also designed with real life in mind.
Organized by day of the week, it helps take the stress out of deciding what to cook. Early in the week, it focuses on quick, simple meals, while later chapters lean into more indulgent, time-intensive dishes.
“My whole thing is that a lot of people see cooking as stressful,” Maxine explained. “But once you have your go-to recipes, it becomes something you can actually enjoy.”
That philosophy is clearly resonating. Fans have been showing up in cities across the country during her book tour, sharing which recipes have already made it into their regular rotation.
“It’s been so energizing,” Maxine said. “Every person tells us a different dish they love, and it’s amazing to see that impact.”
The Houston stop included a book signing at Williams Sonoma in Highland Village, where fans got the chance to meet Maxine and Ann in person and get a signed copy of the cookbook.
The Houston Life crew loved meeting the duo and getting to chat with them about everything from family relationships, to pasta, and connections to California. We wish them the best!