Sally's interview

Interview by Laurence

We interviewed Sally!

Visit the blog: Recipe Junkie.

See profile page and recipes

" If in doubt - about anything - bake a cake. You will probably find the answer comes to you at some point in the process. "

Hello Sally, so tell us...

When did you begin your blog and what inspired you to start it?

I began writing in the summer of 2011 after I started posting about food on Facebook. I had been trying to bake everything in How to Be A Domestic Goddess, by Nigella Lawson, a challenge I set for myself after my son was diagnosed with leukaemia and I was at home with a sick boy and a new baby, and it seemed like a good idea to start writing about what I was cooking for the family. I know lots of people find it a grind to cook daily for their family and think that cooking from scratch takes too much time. I was partly inspired to show that this isn't necessarily the case and that you can fit it in around a busy life.

What kind of people do you write for?

I suppose anyone who wants to read it, really. It's not a straightforward recipe website, it's part diary, and there's the odd rant about stuff that annoys me, but I guess anyone who's interested in good straightforward food. And cake.

Are you involved in the blogging community - how do you attract new readers?

I belong to various blogging networks, some general ones, such as Mumsnet and Britmums, and the more food specific communities such as the UK Food Bloggers Association and Foodies 100. I try to take part in some blogging 'events' and I use social media, but I find there is no substitute for going and reading other people's blogs and commenting on them - it's lovely to get a comment, so you should leave them on blogs when you read them.

What are your goals for this blog? Where would you like to see it in the next year? Five years?

As with most of my life. there aren't really any goals for the blog. I write it because I love it. Obviously. I'd like the people who already read it to carry on reading it, and for more people to start reading it, but what it really does is give me a place to write down all those recipes that I cook and love, so it's starting to become my virtual cookbook. If someone wanted to publish the Recipe Junkie Cookbook, well, obviously I'd be delighted...

What is your favourite type of cuisine?

I love cooking Indian food. Interestingly, it doesn't feature that much on my blog.

If you could be a contestant or guest on any cooking show what show would you choose?

Hmm I have quite strong views about cooking competition TV shows, so I wouldn't want to be on any of them. It would have to be a River Cottage programme. I love the River Cottage ethos and everything Hugh Fearnly-Whittingstall stands for.

Are there any chefs that you admire in particular?

I tend to admire cooks rather than chefs - Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Nigella Lawson. I do love Thomasina Miers' style, and Rick Stein's food too.

What is your earliest memory involving food?

''Dog and duck' biscuits (plain biscuits my mum always made for birthday parties, cut into dog and duck shapes and iced, with silver ball eyes), blancmange and jelly which she made in a rabbit mould, and writing an essay at school about her mum's wholemeal spaghetti and homemade tomato sauce. My mum still has it.

Are you or have you ever been a picky eater?

No. Unless you count my aversion to tripe.

Any last words or message for our readers?

If in doubt - about anything - bake a cake. You will probably find the answer comes to you at some point in the process.

Thank you Sally for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Laurence - 08/07/2013

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