It’s hard to believe that fashion designer Zac Posen, a judge on Project Runway and Brooks Brothers creative director, has the time to whip up panko-crusted soft-shell crab and orange blossom bundt cake in his New York apartment, but he does. Posen even takes snapshots of these artful dishes to woo his legions of Instagram fans. This reverence for the kitchen, percolating since he was a teenager, has led to Cooking with Zac: Recipes from Rustic to Refined (Rodale, Oct.), written in collaboration with Raquel Pelzel.

What prompted you, with all you are in the midst of, to write Cooking with Zac now?

Creating a cookbook has been a dream of mine for a long time, and when I started posting on Instagram with #CookingWithZac, my followers wanted recipes. For me, cooking is one of the most generous acts you can do for yourself and loved ones. I’ve always loved cookbooks. My parents had an incredible collection when I was growing up. Cooking is another creative outlet for me, so I was excited when I got the opportunity and interest to do the book.

Your recipes span different cultures and difficulty levels. What unifies them?

What links them is my lifestyle and my sensibility, which remains the same, for simple, quick meals one can make at home after work or more labor-intensive and intricate ones for larger-scale entertaining. They also rely on good, quality ingredients.

How are the realms of food and fashion similar?

Food and fashion are completely connected because they are about process—proportion, construction, and the perfect balance that make something ordinary, extraordinary.

Is there one dish that especially resonates with you that you would encourage readers to make?

It’s hard to pick a favorite. I think that the Japanese curry is a great one to try. It’s hearty, flavorful, and healthy. People seem to be intimidated or mystified by Japanese flavors, but with some basic principles, it’s pretty easy.

Tomorrow, 2:30–3 p.m. Zac Posen will sign Cooking with Zac in the Autographing Area, at Table 3.

Tomorrow, 3:30–4:30 p.m. Posen will appear on the panel, “Creative Minds Discuss the Creative Process,” on the Downtown Stage.