(Over to Bobi, with thanks – Juz)
The last general chat has gotten a bit long and, in honour of Zhee’s triumphant march towards culinary famedom, I thought we should talk all things food.
A caveat before I start: I have limited cooking ability, and was raised on porridge, backyard chooks, golden syrup dumplings and rice pudding (warm belly and just yum) but it does colour my viewing habits. No croquembuches for me.
I should have inherited baking skills as my grandmothers were members of the CWA, and prize-winning sponge makers – proper sponges, not these artificial, tasteless things that you get at the supermarket – but sadly not.
I love cookbooks. I buy and read them like I used to buy and read magazines but the only cookbook I actually use is Jamie Oliver’s 30 Minute cookbook. It is dog eared, wined and floured. I couldn’t give this book away. My family would starve to death.
My favourite website is Cake Wrecks (old fashioned I know). It gives me minutes of pleasure. I enjoy it because these people are professionals. I know.
Something to aspire to.
My favourite tv show is The Great British Bake-off. It broke my heart when the presenters and judges moved on. Masterchef take note. I am anticipating death by a thousand small disappointments. Maybe if Channel 10 revamped, rejigged and rebranded, and pretended that it was an entirely new show., MC could continue successfully. They should pay me for this advice.
I do like the spin-offs of Poh and Justine (although Poh should do something about that nervous laugh. It’s almost like a tic.). Their shows have variety, and guests, and I almost feel that I could cook some of the dishes – unlike Nigella and Maggie Beer. They are very same-ish: over-hyped, over-blown and over-done.
I couldn’t finish without giving the Americans some credit. I enjoy Spencer’s Big 30 (SBS) immensely. He is chatty and energetic, and he is not ambitious on my behalf. There was bubble and squeak today, and granola with strawberries and yoghurt, and cheese croissants in case you thought it was all too easy.
Of course, there is always Nailed It (Netflix) for pure pleasure. This is absolutely mandatory viewing in my house with the girls. Apart from the fun of it all, it’s important that they learn that it doesn’t always have to be perfect. And the judges are fabulous … worth every cent they are paid.
– Bobi
