Choclette's interview

Interview by Laurence

We interviewed Choclette!

Visit the blog: Chocolate Log Blog.

See profile page and recipes

"Cook what you really want to eat and don't worry about following recipes too much; it's much more fun being creative or using up whatever it is you have lying around"

Hello Choclette, so tell us...

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

I started my blog a little over four years ago after doing a mini "how to create a blog" course at work. It was so easy, I thought it would be a great place to start recording the chocolate bakes that I've made. I had no idea at that point that there was a whole world of food bloggers out there. I've learnt a lot since then and my blog has grown and broadened in coverage.

If you could go back in time, what is the one piece of advice you would give your younger self as they started out on your blog?

I wish I'd put more thought into my blog title. Chocolate Log Blog, doesn't really cover what my blog does, but I feel it's too late to change it now. So I would suggest that you think about what it is you want to do and choose a title which reflects that in someway.

What is your favorite dish of all time?

Oh goodness, that is too tough a question. I love food and I've eaten so many great dishes in my time. I'm a vegetarian and when I either can't think of what to cook or don't have much in the house, I fall back to dal - versatile, tasty, filling and nutritious. When it comes to chocolate, it probably has to be a really good quality fudgy brownie.

Your photos are great, in your opinion what makes a dish beautiful?

Thank you for saying so, but photography is something I really need to work on. I try and use natural light as much as possible so take most of my photographs out in the garden - weather permitting. For me, a beautiful dish is the one that makes me wish it was right in front of me so I could try it. I like clarity and can't stand the trend for fuzzy and blurred photos; if it's in the photograph, I want to see it, if it's not worth seeing, leave it out.

Do you have a secret weapon in the kitchen?

My secret weapon is my old fashioned mixing bowl and wooden spoon - you can't beat them for simplicity and easy washing up. having said that silicone spatulas are just brilliant for scraping out the bowl and not wasting valuable cake batter.

What is your earliest memory involving food?

Pinching peas from the garden when I thought my mother wasn't looking - probably about age three.

Are there any chefs that you admire in particular?

Rachel Demuth is a great vegetarian chef. She has written cookbooks, has a fabulous restaurant in Bath and a wonderful cookery school. I've been on one of her courses and I learnt masses. When it comes to baking, it has to be Dan Lepard - he has created so many interesting recipes and come up with many new techniques that just make baking wonderfully exciting.

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

I would hate to be on TV, I suspect I would just go to pieces, but I do love the Great British Bake Off and would love to be of a calibre to make the grade there.

Which Gourmandize recipe would you recommend? (if none take your fancy add your own and share it with us!)

Surprising ingredients that go together much better than you'd think. These chocolate and goat's cheese tarts from my blog are a pure delight and I have made them a number of times now.
Chocolate and Goats Cheese Tarts

Any last words or message for our readers?

Cook what you really want to eat and don't worry about following recipes too much; it's much more fun being creative or using up whatever it is you have lying around. Recipes are great for inspiration, but generally don't have to be followed to the letter.

Thank you Choclette for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Laurence - 29/07/2013

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