Put simply, a headnote is an introduction to a recipe. A good headnote gives the reader a reason to keep reading and a reason to cook. Tell the reader something useful, specific, or unexpected. Explain why this recipe is worth making. Avoid vague praise and focus on details that help the reader cook, shop, serve, or understand the recipe.
A personal anecdote can work well when it gives the reader useful context. Instead of writing, “This is my family’s favorite jam,” tell us why the jam matters:
“My grandmother’s pear trees yielded fifty pounds of pears every fall, so she created this pear conserve and sold it from a self-serve stand in front of her Vermont country home. Any type of pear can be used, but Anjou pears give the conserve the best texture and a rosy blush. You do not need fifty pounds of pears; this recipe works beautifully with three pounds from the farmers’ market. Serve it with cheese, spoon it into a pie or tart, or spread it on hot buttered muffins.”
If you have more to say, consider turning your thoughts into an article. A longer piece might cover growing or buying pears, pear varieties, flavorings for jams, how to make a fruit tart, or the role of family recipes in your cooking life.