After releasing his second book, Riverstone Kitchen: Simple, in 2012, Mr Smith took a two-year break from writing.
He started work on Riverstone Kitchen: Another Helping about eight months ago.
It will be officially released next month.
''We took a break, just so we could enjoy our summer break with the kids - and it was quite addictive,'' he said.
At the restaurant, he was passionate about using local produce and that carried through in the production of his book.
In self-publishing Riverstone Kitchen: Another Helping, he involved some creative local people, including designer Kathryn Swann, photographer Fiona Andersen and videographer Kara Cox.
''The book has been lots of fun because we have done it ourselves and done it with local talent ... It's been really low stress,'' he said.
Riverstone Kitchen - Another Helping was all about cooking at home, he said.
''We've tried to make a real focus that everyone can achieve all the recipes in their home without too many specialist ingredients or equipment - just the trademark Riverstone taste-bomb kaboomfa,'' he said.
About 32,000 copies of Riverstone Kitchen's first two books - Recipes from a Chef's Garden and Simple - have sold around New Zealand and Australia.
Already, he had started on book No 4.
''We're really excited about what we can do with that,'' he said.
