When I started The Hungry Australian last June, I had few expectations other than getting in the habit of writing again and easing my way back into the workforce after an extended maternity break.
Along my blogging journey I found my voice again. Not the self-conscious voice I had been using to pen my short stories and literary non-fiction (memoir) essays but my true voice, my authentic voice. One of the greatest compliments I’ve had about my blog has been from one of my oldest friends who told me, “it’s just like having a conversation with you.”
That’s exactly how it should be.
Why all this talk about writing and voice, I hear you ask. Isn’t this a food blog?
Well, yes it is, but I have always considered myself a writer first and a food blogger second. Blogging was simply a new way of publishing my work, one that I became instantly addicted to for its immediacy and sense of community.
So I’m thrilled to (finally) let you know about my new gig as Australian & New Zealand Food Guide for About.com, part of the New York Times Company. I’ll be producing eight recipes, reviews and articles for my own section – Australianfood.about.com – each month, showcasing the best of Australian and New Zealand food to a whole new, international readership. It’s a marvellous opportunity and I’m sure I’m going to have a lot of fun with it.
My About.com gig means that I’ll be shifting the focus of The Hungry Australian slightly. I haven’t quite settled on what that will be – I have far too many ideas at the moment – so you’ll have to wait until next week to check it out.
Until then, I am out nearly every day and night on the Tasting Australia media familiarisation. We visited the Adelaide Hills yesterday and are currently mid-way through a visit to the Fleurieu Peninsula. I’m having a fantastic time meeting Australian producers, chefs, cooks, restauranteurs and food lovers, sampling some incredible food, and sharing stories with the international journalists and bloggers on my trips.
So until next week, I wish you good eating.
PS Regular readers will have noticed that The Hungry Australian is looking a little smarter nowadays. Although it is still very much a work in progress – I’m working on getting a logo and header designed – this redesign was long overdo. I do hope you like it. I did a lot of it myself and then my brother helped me out with a little CSS tweaking. Thanks Jonno, and happy birthday!
