Recipe App - Pestle: Hands-Free Cooking & FaceTime Recipes

Introducing Pestle: A New Recipe Management Application

A recently released application, Pestle, is designed to be more than just a repository for your preferred recipes. Developed by independent programmer Will Bishop, this app facilitates meal planning, automated shopping list creation, and discovery of new recipes from content creators.

Furthermore, it enables hands-free cooking or collaborative cooking sessions with loved ones remotely, leveraging Apple’s SharePlay functionality within FaceTime.

A User-Focused Recipe App with Creator Considerations

The resulting application is a well-designed recipe tool that enhances the user experience. It also aims to acknowledge and respect the content created by others by providing source links and tools for discovering additional recipes from the same creator as they are published.

A feature encouraging repeat visits to original recipe websites is also included. However, certain features within Pestle may inadvertently make it overly simple to circumvent creators’ websites, potentially raising concerns.

Addressing Frustrations with Existing Recipe Websites

Bishop, like many individuals seeking cooking inspiration online, became dissatisfied with the prevalent clutter on contemporary recipe websites. These sites often require users to scroll extensively to locate the actual recipe instructions – a tactic employed to increase Google Search traffic.

He also found himself repeatedly copying and pasting recipes into Apple’s Notes application to add personal modifications and notes, similar to many home cooks.

This method proved imperfect, as it involved numerous manual steps and resulted in a disorganized system, given that Notes wasn’t specifically designed as a recipe database. Consequently, he resolved to develop his own solution, leading to the creation of Pestle.

Seamless Recipe Import and Organization

The app integrates seamlessly with Safari, allowing users to save recipes found online by utilizing the “Share” button within their iOS browser, such as Safari or Chrome, and then selecting Pestle from the list of available applications.

Pestle automatically imports the recipe, including the ingredient list and instructions, mirroring the functionality of other popular recipe-saving apps like Whisk or Paprika.

Attribution and Potential Concerns for Creators

While other applications prominently display the source directly on the recipe page, Pestle’s attribution link is located under the three-dot “more” menu at the top of the recipe page.

This is unlikely to pose an issue for the average user, who can easily access the link if they require further information. However, it could lead to complaints from recipe creators, as accessing the link requires an additional tap and feels somewhat concealed.

Moreover, unlike competitor Whisk, which deliberately avoids importing recipe instructions – compelling users to visit the original site – Pestle automatically imports instructions alongside the ingredient list and nutritional information. This is convenient for users but potentially less beneficial for creators.

Discovering New Recipes and Creator Support

Premium users benefit from intelligent suggestions of new recipes from websites they frequently visit, which can also be browsed and saved without directly visiting the website.

Bishop emphasizes his careful consideration of creator content during implementation. He explains that sharing a recipe to Pestle requires users to already be on the creator’s page, contributing to ad views and search ranking improvements.

He likens Pestle to utilizing the “print” function on recipe websites. Additionally, sources are attributed and linked, and the app encourages users to revisit the website after cooking to leave a review, potentially driving traffic back to the original content.

Bishop also notes that recipes are not broadly redistributed; users can share recipes with each other, but sharing with someone without Pestle will simply direct them to the original website.

User Experience and Key Features

From a user standpoint, Pestle offers a user-friendly application with numerous helpful features. The app automatically organizes recipes by category and cuisine, allowing users to quickly locate recipes without creating their own folder structure, although manual folder creation is also possible.

During cooking, users can engage a guided experience, progressing through the recipe step-by-step. Multiple timers can be set, and links within each step provide reminders of required quantities.

This eliminates the need to constantly switch between ingredient lists and instructions, which can be problematic during fast-paced or messy cooking scenarios.

For those concerned about screen contamination, the app can be navigated hands-free using voice commands like “Back” and “Next.”

Collaboration and Premium Features

Pestle also supports Apple’s SharePlay, enabling collaborative cooking sessions with family and friends via FaceTime.

Premium users unlock additional features, including a discovery section for finding new cooking inspiration, seamless handoff and synchronization between iPhone and iPad devices, 14-day meal planning support, and shopping lists integrated with Apple Reminders. However, it does not currently offer integration with online grocery ordering services like Instacart.

Pricing and Availability

A limited-time launch offer provides a “lifetime” subscription for just $4.99, compared to the standard $9.99 per year (or $0.99 per month) subscription. The lifetime subscription will later be priced at $25.

About the Developer

Will Bishop, a 19-year-old independent developer and former WWDC scholar, has previously created other applications, including Nano for Reddit and Chirp for Apple Watch. However, Pestle is currently his primary focus, as his other apps are largely self-sustaining.

He intends to expand Pestle to other platforms, but this may not be feasible as a solo developer.

Pestle is available for free download on the App Store.