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The Barrow Interviews: UK Food Bloggers

rolling pin womanOver the weekend I have been flexing my journalistic talents and conducting in-depth and quite penetrating interviews with the creme of the UK food blogging scene. At times painful in their revelations, I think I have managed to probe deeply into the collective psyche and discover if they have what it takes emotionally and physically to be at the forefront of the food blogging world.

To be honest I don't think some take their foodie credentials seriously. I ask you, apart from me, how many cooks would admit to not  possessing a rolling pin? I know of one. Such a flippant attitude needs exposing. Step forward Cooksister Jeanne. No cover-up in trying to explain this startling fact away by admitting utilising other objects in her copious rolling exploits. I advocated the use of an empty wine bottle - last nights Veuve Clicquot for example - but she took no notice.

Some however flex their culinary skills with wanton abandon - Joanna has three (but keeps stum, despite verbal pummeling, on their respective sizes); Meg also boasts of three, smiling sweetly in describing their 'practical uses' "one small and practical, one large and practical, one marble of sentimental value". The others admitted to owning just the one. Such secrets that dwell in kitchen draws.

Moving on to food. I am not sure what exactly is revealed by each respondents hates - thoughts of troubled childhoods, of being the 'last one at the primary school dining table' because of stubbon refusals to eat parsnips or embarrassing episodes involving liver, a plastic spoon and David Blunkett - revelations more suited to the tabloids than Slashfood. Now I love liver, a grossly underrated food stuff, Celia manages to eat it in paté form only. Zabeena hates Marmite (as if anyone could really hate marmite), Celery is highest on Christina's list of hates and Jeanne hates bananas, perhaps connected to her lack of rolling pins (Freud where are you?). Beetroot is Johanna's hate and Meg quotes thousand-island and gherkin pizza. (As if anyone would ever invent such a monstrosity). Jenni hates candy floss (ummm, wonder whats going on there?) and Joanna mentions marmalade and cheap Edam cheese (I think we ALL know whats going on there!).

But no one mentions raisins in savoury foods, mushy peas and parsnips; surly the worlds most detested items. (That'll be just me then).

Heinz Baked BeansNot wanting to dwell too long on hates my probing questions revealed more enlightening revelations when I skillfully twisted the conversations to baked beans. (Can you reveal a revelation?). An important subject, I think all will agree, are baked beans, but only one admitted to eating these recently; as recently as yesterday in fact. And for breakfast too! Scandalous. Most were vague in their response. Something deeply suspicious going on here do you think? A conspiracy? I leave you to judge but Christina's mysterious wink could have been down to a fly in her eye when she muttered '9 years ago.. maybe more...' in a tone indicative of boredom. Johanna was more revealing but left the real details hanging with talk of a 'breakfast I would rather forget'. Chin-strokingly interesting.

My last question - by which time I too was wishing I had never thought of writing this piece - was on a more light hearted subject, The Observer Food Monthly. The Sunday paper, here in the UK, publishes a monthly supplement that is guaranteed to split the foodies from the foodnots. I despair. Celia, Christina, Johanna and Zabeena have never read it, Jeanne has more interesting things to think about it, as in 'only when I remember' and Meg reads it online. Only Joanna and Jenni read it religiously. And me.

So what can we conclude from this series of fascinating facts? Apart from most having nothing better to do than respond to a series of rubbish questions. The blogging scene in the UK is alive and as vibrant a place as any on the internet - full of fascinating beautiful people, several of whom I will be meeting next weekend.

Thanks to all those who replied to my email - Celia English Patis, Zabeena ALotOnMyPlate, Christina ThorngroveTable, Jeanne Cooksister, Johanna PassionateCook, Meg SmallButTasty, Jenni Pertelote and Joanna JoannasFood. All quotes taken out of context are down to me. Nathelie CabbagesAndKings and Tod LondonChefhad better things to do (understandably).

Slashfood: eight of out ten blogs said their writers preferred it.  

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