If you want to know a little bit more about the blogger behind Tin and Thyme, then read this food bloggers unplugged post. If you’re not bothered, then perhaps go to the recipes in the main menu bar.
Well, as some of my regular readers will know, I feel a bit ambivalent about this tagging lark. Sometimes I’ve participated and sometimes I’ve given a heartfelt “thank you” and left it at that. However, Susan of the wonderful A Little Bit of Heaven On A Plate (and if you haven’t yet visited her blog, you’ll know why this name is so apt when you see her header) has just started Food Bloggers Unplugged – #foodbloggersunplugged – with the aim of getting to know a bit more about fellow food bloggers. She has tagged me as one of the very first five to be chosen – how could I resist that? In fact I’m really touched.
The idea, of course, is to learn a little more about the folk behind the blogs – hmmm, I think this is what I’m afraid of!
Food Bloggers Unplugged – Choclette
1. What, or who inspired you to start a blog?
Amazingly, it was work! In an attempt to make us a little more net savvy, we had to create a blog to record our progress in social media. I knew virtually nothing about blogs at this point, but when I understood a) how easy they were to set up and b) their potential, I rushed home excitedly to get one started for CT. I thought it would be a good platform for his Andean crop research. He’d only been doing it for a month when I began to feel left out.
2. Who is your foodie inspiration?
Now this one is virtually impossible to answer. My inspiration changes like the wind and has come from literally hundreds of sources. There are some big names there, like Andrew Whitley who finally got me baking sourdough bread on a regular basis; Rose Elliot who saw me through my early days of cooking for myself; Sally Fallon rallying us to the call of real food and dismissing the diet dictocrats and the anti-fat police; Dan Lepard with his adventures in all things baked.
There is also family and friends. And then there are restaurants and cafes and too many cookbooks to count. But these days, I have to say it is other food bloggers who inspire me most with their wonderful writing, ideas and photographs.
3. Your greasiest, batter – splattered food/drink book is?
Once upon a time, it was The Bean Book by Rose Elliot, but the stains are now old and faded. It was superseded long ago by Gaia’s Kitchen by Julia Ponsonby – a great book for real everyday home vegetarian cooking.
4. Tell us all about the best thing you have ever eaten in another country, where was it, what was it?
I’ve travelled a lot and eaten so much amazing food in so many amazing places, but the best thing I remember was sitting down by the side of the road in France, during a long cycle ride and eating a hunk of bread, a lump of cheese and a beautifully ripe pear – those three flavours live on.
5. Another food bloggers table you’d like to eat at is?
Actually, I want to eat at all of them. Couldn’t I take it in turns? To choose one, seems mean, so I’m ruling out turning up for tea. That would just be too difficult, so I am plumping for dinner instead. As a vegetarian, it would have to be a toss up between Tinned Tomatoes, Allotment 2 Kitchen and Green Gourmet Giraffe, all of whom cook splendidly delicious and interesting vegetarian food.
6. What is the one kitchen gadget you would ask Santa for this year (money no object of course)?
Does a nice big kitchen with loads of work surfaces, cupboard space and a table count? No? Oh well, a Global knife would be very much appreciated.
7. Who taught you how to cook?
My mother – from as early as I can remember. And this delightful book.
8. I’m coming to you for dinner what’s your signature dish?
I do a mean shakshuka and over the years many have wolfed down my surprise cheesecake with delight.
9. What is your guilty food pleasure?
Hmm! I’ve just scoffed a box of Maltesers (with only a little help from CT).
10. Reveal something about yourself that others would be surprised to learn?
I live in Cornwall 😉 Oh, you mean you already know that? OK, my grandparents (who sadly I never met nor inherited any money from!) once owned two department stores, one in Alexandria and one in Cairo.
I am also just about to go on a journey and in fact need to leave now in order to catch my train. Yes, London is calling and I’m off on a massive Food Bloggers weekend. Two events, two lots of people – not something I’ve done before, so I’m feeling excited and a bit trepidatious!
If, by some chance, you’d like to know anything else, please take a look at my about me page. The ABC of Me might also be of interest.
So, to the five blogs I am tagging for Food Bloggers Unplugged
Kath of the Ordinary Cook – far from ordinary and one of my absolute favourite blogs.
CityHippyFarmGirl – highly enjoyable and poetic style (and I wouldn’t mind eating her food either).
Chele of Chocolate Teapot – my partner in Cocoa.
Liz of Feasts & Festivals – delicious food in the context of seasonal and traditional celebrations
Laura of How to Cook Good Food – a relative newcomer to the world of blogging with some delicious looking recipes which I’m keen to try.
Update 30 Nov 11
I have subsequently been tagged by Sneige of Orange Thyme for Food Bloggers Unplugged. Strangely, Sneige was at one of the food blogging events I attended a couple of weeks ago. Oops, that’s reminded me I still haven’t written a post about it. In fact she played a starring role by winning the Sweets category in Venessa Kimbell’s Let’s Make Christmas with her Mincemeat Pops. Sadly, I didn’t get to try one or a chance to meet up.
Choclette says
Thank you all for your lovely comments. I really enjoyed both food blogging events and it was lovely to meet some of you there.
honiebuk says
Spot of bad luck on the grandparens thing – but it seems you have made up for this is fascinating facts!
It’s a great link up and a great way to get to know a little (or a lottle) about other foodies – what no cake!
Shaheen says
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning more about you Choclette. And totally humbled at the fact that you would like to eat at my table. In fact I hesitate and thought ‘really! my table’. I am blushed with warmth. It would be lovely, maybe oneday – you will be passing my direction and who knows 🙂
Looking forward to reading more about your Food Bloggers weekend.
Johanna GGG says
Really enjoyed this and when you mentioned my blog as a place you would love to eat, my reaction was: come and eat at my place, please! And bring one of your wonderful chocolate desserts – would love to talk about Rose Elliot and Dan Lepard and how lovely cornwall is – among other things! Hope you enjoyed your bloggy weekend!
cityhippyfarmgirl says
Hope the weekend was loads of fun Choc!
bread, cheese and a pear sound like just what I would like to be eating in France. Oui, oui!
Thanks for tagging me too, post to come…
Linzi_Barrow says
This is so much fun, its great finding out we all have so much in common.
Laura@howtocookgoodfood says
Wow this is such an honour. I will be delighted to take part and continue on the challenge. I just hope that we can meet up again at some point in the future as Friday’s event and meeting you was a memory I will treasure!
Hope you are taking it easy today after a very very busy weekend!
Laura xx
Pig in the Kitchen says
Just had fun browsing your book recommendations on Amazon! The Ursula Sedgewick one is over £25, so hold onto your copy!
Good to meet you yesterday at Bite’n’Write, glad we eventually got our veggie meals 🙂
Pig x
The Caked Crusader says
work top space and cupboards would be on my list too!
Aveen says
I like this 🙂 Some of these awards seem a bit pointless but this is really interesting and I loved reading your answers.
A Trifle Rushed says
Your blog is sooo inspiring, I think you deserve tags/awards to be showered on you.
It was really lovely to meet you on Friday, I hope the event in Birmingham was equally wonderful.
I’m looking forward to lots more superb chocolate cooking and baking.
Jude x
Gloria says
Is really nice to know more about you, xxgloria
Mozart's Girl says
So lovely to meet you (briefly) yesterday! I hope we can talk for longer next time…I think we probably have much in common. Good to find out more about you from this great post xx Rachel
Alessandra says
Good read, nice to learn more about other bloggers!
Ciao
Alessandra
Janice says
I certainly enjoyed reading that. Enjoy your food blogging meets!
Baking Addict says
It’s really nice to know a bit more about you. Have a great weekend.
Karen S Booth says
I have been tagged by the wonderful Susan too! My unplugged follows on soon……this was a fascinating insight into you and your life, thanks!
Rhizowen says
CT here – I can confirm that her grandparents have never given her a penny. I’ve no idea as to the veracity of the rest of it 😉
Susan's blog says
Firstly thanks for taking part, I wasn’t sure how this would be received but thought ‘what the heck’.
I loved reading your answers (made me realise how little I know about food etc) and its good to learn more about you.
Hope the trip and meet ups with others goes really well (sad not to be coming). x
Kath says
Awww, you are so sweet. Thank you Choc for saying such a lovely thing. Have a great day tomorrow and I am SO looking forward to seeing you on Saturday. xx
At Anna's kitchen table says
Lucky you two meeting up! Hope you have a great time.
That was really interesting, nice to get to know you a bit better!
Dom at Belleau Kitchen says
Fascinating stuff choclette. I too feel the same way about this kind of post but indeed this one I will be happy to do. Thanks for your insight and I look forward to meeting you tomorrow. Xx