Emily's interview

Interview by Lydia

We interviewed Emily!

Visit the blog: Sugar for Breakfast.

See profile page and recipes

Hello Emily, so tell us...

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

I began my blog when I was working for a large insurance company. I was experimenting with baking more (cupcakes and cake decorating) as well as trying to learn how to cook all the asian food my husband was missing. He is Cambodian, and was getting tired of all the food I prepared that I grew up on. So, I decided to document my recipes in blog form, so I would be able to reflect on them as well, and have them as a referance for the future.

I started dabbling in DIY more (Pinterest really caught on at the same time I was beginning) so I began to share some of projects I had going.

My mind became consumed with thinking about food and projects that I decided to quit my job and stay home with our daughter and this gave me much more time to devote to my blog and really focus on what the goal is - to share everything I love with people!

What is your earliest food memory?

Baking cookies and making candy with my Grandma at Christmas time. She loved baking and entertaining (we had Sunday dinner every week also), and she would go overboard creating every person's favorite treat for the holidays. Dozens of cookies, fudge, peanut clusters, divinity...just everything, she seemed to have them all perfected. It makes me envious when I think about it, she was just a natural in the kitchen - she never had to think twice about something. I knew when I was little I wanted to be just like her and be able to bake goodies and cook a delicious meal.

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

I am just now starting to gain a (small) following. Pinterest has really helped attract new people seeking out recipes. The Asian-inspired recipes seem to be really popular. I'm a little slow on the Twitter action, but it is picking up and I am gaining new readers through it...and learning how to properly use a hashtag. Social media is just the way to attract new readers. I am now on Recipe Magic, which has helped a lot for my recipes also. I link all my recipes to my Facebook page and my profile so my friends probably feel overloaded sometimes, but it gets the links out there!

How many hours per week do you spend on your blog?

The actual blogging part, maybe a half hour to an hour a day or so. But there is so much more time that goes into the post than the time I spend editing the photos and writing about it. Every meal I make, project, fun thing, family time, anything and everything I do potentially can end up on my blog. It is on my mind around the clock!

What is/are your go to recipe(s) if you’re preparing a last minute dinner or party?

Asian food! People love something that they can't get at the Chinese restaurant - or something they can get only it tastes about ten times better. I find that people love things that they think they can't make or just don't want to make. Lettuce wraps and sticky rice or orange chicken are probably my favorite things to make people for dinner. Otherwise if it isn't Asian food...then fried chicken or beef and noodles. Comfort food is my personal favorite to cook for myself and it can never be wrong!

But never forget a dessert! Whipping up a batch of funfetti cupcakes isn't too time-consuming and sprinkles make everything fun, so nobody can resist those!

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

I would LOVE to be on Cupcake Wars! But, I know I would probably fail under the pressure. Otherwise, I would love to tour the nation and eat at all the Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives with Guy Fieri. My family really enjoys trying new restaurants and new food. It is the best thing about traveling - we base our days off his show while on vacation on where to eat :)

Who are your culinary influences?

Julia Child! She is just amazing. What she did for America with her cooking show is amazing to me. She showed people that everyone can make great food. It just takes trusting the food, yourself, and some love.

Is there any dish, ingredient or type of food you refuse to cook or eat?

Yes, lots!! With my husband's background there are quit a few things I refuse to try, and definitely not cook. Lots of things that are ferminted or the opposite and are raw - I just can't do. If it smells rotten I can't get past it and actually try it. Most of the foods I don't know how to translate and type the name of it, but you get the idea? I am a huge texture person, and I can't eat something that I don't like the texture of...an example would be watermelon! But I like the flavor of watermelon. Weird, I know!

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

In the next year I would like to gain a larger audience and continue working on the focus of my blog. I have this overview idea of what I want from it - I just need to fine-tune it.

In the next five years I would love to have a cookbook or two out. My sister, who also blogs, and I have an idea for a cookbook I want to see come to life. She is a "clean eater" so we want to join forces and create a cookbook with my "bad version" and her "good version".

I also want to develop a cookbook for children, with the aid of my own daughter. I want kids to experiment more in the kitchen and make those memories cooking and preparing their meals with their family.

I guess I just want people to enjoy my recipes. People have to eat, so they might as well eat good food!

Thank you Emily for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Lydia - 08/10/2013

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