12. Food Blog: Not without Salt

What inspires you to write a food blog?

Food and the people who enjoy food inspire me. The feeling I get when I taste something that is so utterly delicious is enough to make me cry tears of joy. That intense pleasure is so powerful that I can't help but share it.

My favourite part of cooking and baking is watching my product being consumed. Unfortunately with a food blog I don't have the immediate satisfaction of hearing the oohs and ahhs after a delicious meal or a perfectly sweet dessert but the comments and emails I receive give me the drive to continue sharing.

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What sort of posting really gets your readers excited (good or bad)?

I try to be very approachable in how I write. People seem to respond very well to that. For items that have a stigma of being quite challenging, I take it upon myself to remove the mystery and build confidence in the home cook.

I was on a puff pastry kick for a while. Seeing the alternating layers of butter and dough makes me gush. In order to meet the daunting challenge of making this dough at home I created an instructional video and step-by-step images. My readers were up to the challenge and they really enjoyed seeing something that is quite often purchased pre-made made in a home kitchen.

Similarly, marshmallows and peppermint patties excited the masses (at least my readers). I've converted many jet-puffed purchasers into making their own vanilla bean studded marshmallows.

Which cookbook can you not do without and which chef is your hero/heroine?

Oh, man - seriously? You are making me choose? My books are like my children. I love them all equally. But since you making me single them out I would have to say that I love CookWise and Baking Illustrated for their scientific approach.

Of course, I love Sherry Yard's latest, Desserts By the Yard, (I had the honour of helping on that one). The photos are big and beautiful and the recipes range from everyday baking to special occasion. Early in my career, Sherry Yard was my mentor. She taught me the hard work and dedication needed to be successful.

Although not really a cookbook I am currently enjoying Laurie Colwin's, Home Cooking and More Home Cooking.

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