Simoneskitchen's interview

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Interview by Gitanjali

We interviewed Simoneskitchen!

Hello Simoneskitchen, so tell us...

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

I began blogging about 7 years ago. I started my own company as a photographer at the time and felt I needed to have a blog now. I seriously had no idea what to blog about so the first few posts are about nothing in particular. But I already followed a couple of food bloggers at the time and thought that might be a cool thing to do so I jumped on the wagon and never looked back. My blog name changed though as it used to be called Junglefrog Cooking.

You take beautiful food photos! What tips would you give to someone who wants to do the same?

Thanks so much!
Essentially practice, practice and practice some more. It might sound boring but in the end that is what it is all about. Try and look at photos you admire and ask yourself why you like those photos. I've learned a lot by trying to recreate a photograph.
Not for publishing but purely for myself as an exercise.

What are your culinary influences?

I am obsessive when it comes to food. I read anything and everything I can get my hands on. I love watching Masterchef Australia endlessly and I always get inspired by that awesome threesome.

Where do you find your ideas for recipes?

Everywhere really. I own a massive amount of cookbooks and I always have a stack next to my bed. It's reading material before going to sleep. But I also get inspired by cooking shows, events I visit or simply something I taste in a restaurant or smell on the streets.

What is your earliest food memory?

Well.... it might not be the best memory.. ;) My mum was a horrible cook. She hated cooking and I certainly have not inherited any cooking skills from her. In fact it took me quite a long time before I got into cooking. I did love baking when I was young, so my earliest food memories must have been of me baking apple pies
for every single family birthday (and we had a big family!)

Do you have a secret ingredient, a product you use a lot that is unexpected or that helps you save time?

I have a soft spot for halloumi. It's just one of those versatile ingredients that spices up any salad. And I have a thing for good salads so halloumi is my go to ingredient to make it look interesting (and give a delicious salty crunch too)

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

I think oysters are my worst nightmare. I have tried them in any shape and form but I just think they are the most disgusting thing out there... Oh and not too fond of anything cartilage either (pigs ears to name just one...) I tend to want to try everything but I do have my limits!

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

Having made some major mistakes in the past by changing names and urls a couple of times (not good for traffic at all!) I plan to stick with Simone's Kitchen and hopefully see it grow the way it has been growing for the past year. I'm making a decent side income from the blog right now and I'd love to expand on that as my husband will be joining the company as well. Scary! But exciting as well. We're also going to be creating a range of products from Simone's Kitchen so that is an exciting new venture too. Think chutneys, vinegars and such.

My worst food flop was...

O so many! But I think my worst must have been the time that I made a pretty cake for my parents in law. It was one of the first cakes I made and I used a premade cakemix. The package was supposed to be for two cakes, but I didn't read it properly and put all the flour into that one cake. Needless to say it was inedible and soooo heavy! My parents in law where kind and said they liked it, but I just know they lied to me... If only I had tasted it myself before giving it away! And I've had some other pretty bad disasters as well.

Thank you Simoneskitchen for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Gitanjali - 09/16/2014

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