You can apply for a patent. Food preparation methods need to apply for invention patents. If you apply directly to the National Patent Office, you need to prepare an invention patent request, claims, description and abstract. If you want to apply through a patent agency, all these materials will be processed by the patent agency. You need to cooperate with the patent agency and make technical explanations to the patent agency.
But if it is particularly good, it is better to protect it as a trade secret, thinking that all information about intellectual property is disclosed and can be used by the public after a period of time.