TAKE 5 with COOK & POUR…

Why did you decide to start blogging?

I started blogging because people always seemed to ask me for recommendations on bars and restaurants to visit. Working in the industry, I always got to hear of new openings and was a keen visitor of competitors to see what they were doing.

Why cooking and food?

Working for restaurants, I have always had a passion for food. But this goes way back to living with my family who cooked every night without fail. There was
never any fast food, microwaveable dishes or anything like that. So growing up it seemed alien to me to not make the effort and cook something fresh.

What or who inspires you?

I am inspired by fresh ingredients. The fresher the ingredient, the better the taste. I am not a fan of the latest trends, I believe, we should eat what we enjoy and keep it simple. My gran inspired me on a personal level, but now it is chefs who quite frankly work long hours and create these fantastic dishes that we get to eat. They pour passion, commitment and love into their cooking, and it is down to us to get out there and enjoy it. Of course, I am also happy in my kitchen rustling up some of my grans recipes.

What is your pitch to PRs? How would you prefer to be contacted by them?

I am a full-on foodie, having worked in the industry for over 10 years. I have also had the pleasure of travelling the world enjoying the local cuisines. Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Africa, New York, Italy to name a few. Being a marketer by trade, I think I’m okay at pulling together entertaining and informative reviews and lifestyle pieces.

Where would you like to see your blog in one year from now?

Well I started it for fun and entertainment for my friends. It is great to see it grow gradually. We all want to be the best blog, but there are so many out there. For me, success is in my friends, family and colleagues liking what I write. A bigger community would be great and I guess that is what I am working towards.