I’ve been lingering on the edges of the @fdbloggers Twitter community for some time, watching the #foodbloggersGTK threads. Now I’ve decided to join in with my own answers to the questions below.
Name?
Gavin
Blog?
brainfoodstudio.com (the little egg)
What was your reason for starting a blog?
About seven years ago I began photographing dishes I cooked and sharing recipes on internet forums. When I wanted a project that was both challenging and rewarding, starting a food blog felt like the natural next step. I’ve been blogging for a year now and have found it to be great fun, though at times surprisingly frustrating. Overall it has been an enjoyable creative outlet that keeps me learning.
What’s the dish you’re most proud of?
The individual Labneh cheesecakes, because they deliver a genuinely tasty no-added-sugar dessert without compromise. I still remember the thrill of tasting them and realising they worked brilliantly. That excitement carried into the photography, and I’m especially pleased with those images.
What one kitchen utensil could you not live without?
A good knife. It performs so many tasks that everything else feels like a luxury by comparison.
You’re stranded on a desert island. What three ingredients would you take with you?
Smoked paprika, bananas, and olive oil. It almost sounds like the start of a recipe, doesn’t it?
Who do you take inspiration from?
Two big influences are Yotam Ottolenghi and Edouard de Pomiane. Ottolenghi has reshaped the way I think about vegetarian cooking with inventive, flavour-forward recipes. Edouard de Pomiane is one of the most warm and candid food writers I’ve read—his voice feels humble and encouraging, which I greatly admire.
Your favourite social platform?
Twitter, because it’s centred around words rather than images, even though visuals still play an important role.
Biggest disaster in the kitchen?
As a teenager I tried to make jelly in a blender without putting the lid on. We were fortunate to avoid burns, and the mixture cleaned off the walls surprisingly well. Later, as an adult, I once hurled a stubbornly undercooked banana loaf across the room in a moment of petulance and it ended up in the bin.
Favourite spot for coffee?
At home. I don’t own any fancy coffee gear and find busy cafés a bit stressful, though I do visit them when I’m out or meeting people. Artisan in Chiswick stands out as one of the best coffees I’ve had.
Favourite photo you’ve taken?
That’s a tough one, so I’ll pick three favourites: the Labneh cheesecake with no added sugar, the sweety-salty fresh lime soda, and the chargrilled aubergine bites.
Most successful blog post and why?
In raw traffic terms, the spelt rough puff pastry page has the most views. But the sweet potato with avocado and lime recipe feels like the truer success: it’s become a weeknight staple I make for myself repeatedly. I’ve eaten it almost every week since posting—it’s simple, tasty and accessible, which is exactly what I aim for with my recipes.
Now nominate three food bloggers you’d like to get to know more.
I don’t feel I know any other food bloggers well enough to nominate them, and I’d rather not name people I don’t actually know. So I’m going to skip this one.
Thanks to anyone who made it this far — I hope this gives you a clearer picture of who I am and what I do.