Exclusive Interview – Cassandra Peterson shares insights about Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell and reflects on her journey in the horror genre.

      EJ Moreno interviews the ‘Martha Stewart of the Macabre,’ Elvira…

      If you’re a fan of the horror genre, you’re well aware of the significant role Cassandra Peterson has played in it. Transitioning from a horror-loving host to the multi-faceted icon she is today, Peterson transformed her voluptuous character, Elvira, into a household name.

      Now, Elvira is making her presence felt in our homes once more, this time targeting your kitchen. In her newly released book, Elvira’s Cookbook from Hell: Sexy, Spooky Soirées and Celebrations for Every Occasion, Peterson serves up eerie delights and year-round festivities that will enchant horror enthusiasts and goths alike.

      In our conversation, Peterson reflects on the lengthy journey to publish this book and shares the roots of her fascination with the macabre. It’s no surprise that there are numerous nods to Vincent Price throughout our discussion. Check out the interview below…

      Cassandra, I’m thrilled to have this conversation with you. It’s been a long-held wish of mine to sit down with you. I recently watched Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and I always forget you appear in that film. Your cameo catches me off guard every time. Can you tell me about your extensive career and how you continually find fresh ways to stay engaged?

      Thank you. I was just discussing this in my previous interview. I’ve had a fantastic career that allows me to engage in a variety of activities. I never get bored. It’s not just about picking one movie after another. I write, perform live, record music, appear on TV, and act in films. The diversity keeps my career interesting and stimulating, constantly inspiring me to conceive new and exciting ideas.

      People often ask, why don’t you retire? You’re like 100 years old! I respond, what would I do? I enjoy what I’m doing!

      I appreciate your view on avoiding boredom. That’s crucial as creators can sometimes feel stuck. We often ponder, ‘What else can I do?’ You’ve ventured into movies, TV shows, and now a cookbook: Elvira’s Cookbook From Hell. What prompted the idea to step into the kitchen?

      When I hosted ‘Movie Macabre,’ my first television program, we would do short segments, one of which was ‘Cooking with Elvira.’ Most of the recipes were playful and not actually edible—like pork tartare left in the trunk of a car overnight or hollow weenies that I’d drill and fill with cheese whiz. I styled myself as the Martha Stewart of the macabre.

      Years ago, I thought, wouldn’t it be fun to create a cookbook, more like a lifestyle book? It’d show people how to set a table, arrange flowers, and design fun gatherings for goth occasions—be it movie nights, formal dinners, or picnics. It was something I always wanted to do.

      Over the years, I pitched this idea to publishers repeatedly, but they viewed it as just another Halloween cookbook—which there are plenty of. I insisted it was something unique, focused on the goth lifestyle. This book isn’t just for Halloween; it’s for every day of the year. Sure, it fits Halloween, but it caters to the goth community that isn’t often spotlighted. I see it every day.

      I just kept advocating for the project until it finally came to fruition. I had an amazing team, and making a cookbook is no easy task.

      Is there a recipe in the book you feel embodies Cassandra? And is there one that epitomizes Elvira? Is there any personal touch of Cassandra in the book, or is it fully Elvira?

      Interestingly, there’s one recipe that draws from my childhood, the Adraka Kozorol, which I featured in my film.

      In the movie, I combine various magical potions into a casserole, making it bubble over. It ends up looking like a mess, and I take inspiration from how my mother made everything more appealing by crushing up potato chips and sprinkling cheese on top, which was her trick to get us to eat. It’s basically a green bean casserole we always had at Thanksgiving, though instead of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup, I topped it with potato chips and cheese. It definitely brings back memories from my childhood.

      I love that! I’ve always been curious about the origins of your love for horror and the macabre. When did it begin for you? Do you have an early horror memory that guided you down this path?

      Absolutely! It all started when my cousin took me, in second or third grade, to see House on Haunted Hill with Vincent Price. I had no idea horror movies existed, and finding myself in the theater watching it was eye-opening. At the time, it was terrifying, but looking back, it has its humorous aspects. I became obsessed with it. After watching it, I was horrified yet captivated, like you would be with a car