lastminute lovely Nicole caught up with fabulous food blogger Not Quite Nigella a.k.a. Lorraine Elliot to talk blogs, her new book, travel and of course, food.
How did ‘Not Quite Nigella’ begin?
Well it all started as I was quite bored with my job in advertising. My husband suggested that I start blogging and to be honest, I had no idea what I would even blog about, but food was the thing that I was most obsessed about. He asked me what I would call my blog and I told him “Not Quite Nigella” because I’m not really like her but I’d love to be the domestic goddess!
We’re very excited about your new book! How did that come about? What can readers expect?
Thank you! I’m very nervous and excited 🙂 I hope that readers find it interesting and perhaps inspirational. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at blogging full-time for a living and I write about both the good and the bad. Everything is brand new and written just for the book and there are about a dozen brand new recipes where relevant to the story.
Your food photos frequently have us drooling in the lastminute office. How much time goes into getting the perfect shot?
Thank you so much and thanks for noticing 🙂 It takes a lot of time! I think the photographs are the most time consuming thing about blogging. The writing part comes much more easily to me but first you have to develop the recipe, then cook it and then photograph it. And that’s if the recipe works on the first go, sometimes they don’t and you have to keep testing it until you get it right!
What is the most popular recipe you’ve ever posted?
Bacon Jam without a doubt! And before you look at me oddly, try it. I promise that it’s good 😉
Are you a sweet or savoury person? Or both?
Hmmm that’s a hard one. I love sweets but I crave savoury more often. But a day is not complete without something sweet at the end. I usually carry chocolate with me when I travel because I can work myself up into a bit of a drama queen state if I don’t finish the day with something sweet 😛
Food and travel go hand-in-hand. If you were to recommend one overseas city for a gourmet getaway, where would it be?
It’s hard to name just one but I do love Tokyo because things are always changing but they also respect tradition. Plus they’re quite oddball which I always appreciate because I am too.
Speaking of travel, what is the best hotel you’ve ever stayed at?
I’m a huge hotel fan, I could live in one and I’ve been fortunate enough to stay at some truly remarkable hotels. Within Australia, Qualia, Southern Ocean Lodge and Wolgan Valley are amazing. And don’t get me started on overseas ones-I particularly like luxury lodges because they are personalised but also really focus on food and providing the very best experience and service.
Wolgan Valley
What are the top three things you look for in a hotel?
Spacious rooms, free wifi and a good bathroom are the basics.
How many days a year would you spend travelling?
I should really sit down and count these I suppose! I think I’m travelling about 1.5-2 weeks in a month.
You recently visited the Yarra Valley. What were your highlights/what did you love about the region?
The Yarra Valley is so close to Melbourne for starters which I loved. The food and drink offerings are fantastic too and there is so much to see and do you could spend ages there experiencing everything!
Rae’s Restaurant at Balgownie Estate, Yarra Valley
How do you pass the time on flights? Any must-have carry-on items?
I try and sleep because I know that once I land, it will be go, go go! I always take PJs for long haul flights and noise cancelling headphones and lots of water and moisturiser too. It may sound silly but I have a routine when I get on a plane to help me overcome jetlag.
Which celebrity would you most like to find yourself sitting next to on a plane?
Probably Kevin Bacon, my favourite actor.
Packing: do you roll, fold or shove it all in there? Any tips to share?
Well at the beginning it’s all folding or rolling but on the return leg, it’s more often shoving it all in there so it fits!
Where is next on your travel wish list?
I’d love to see more of the Middle East, Europe or America!