Twenty Questions with Passionate About Baking
Food blogging takes dedication and passion, something this weeks Featured Blogger has in spades. Introducing Deeba, from Passionate About Baking. If you’ve never had the opportunity to visit with her before, you’re in for a special treat!
How long have you had a food blog (or other foodie type site)?
I’ve been food blogging since August 2007
How would you describe your site to new readers?
My blog is about my passions in life…baking, cooking, photography, nature, and art. I believe in ’Doing Food From Scratch’; it must taste as good as it looks, and be healthy too. I enjoy blogging immensely, & am part of a wonderful online community. I blog from India, where my biggest challenge is the non-availability of baking ingredients. Join me in my adventures as I wriggle my way through the kitchen!
What made you decide to start your site?
I began blogging just over 2 years ago; a meek attempt to document my adventures & misadventures in the kitchen, and record basic recipes as I had time on hand. Little did I know that blogging would take over my life? I am ambitious as far as blogging goes, am addicted to it, and enjoying it thoroughly. It has enriched my life beyond belief, put me in touch with beautiful and fun foodies, made me a Daring Baker, and made me look at the camera with new eyes. I have learnt that there is more to ‘macro’ than what I learnt in university while doing my honours in economics, and this macro is certainly more fun! The camera is my best friend, and has escaped many a threatened fall into curries and cakes. I love it! I have a long way to go, and want to write cookbooks, improve my photography skills, learn to make macaroons like French pastry chefs…ah I love this life!
Is there any personal meaning behind the name?
As people who now know me, baking is my passion, the joy of my life. The name is a reflection of my passion.
What advice do you have for new bloggers?
Don’t be shy to step onto this platform; don’t be intimidated. It’s a whole world out here, with a lot of bloggers, but there’s always room for more. Bloggers share a wonderful camaraderie, and are more than willing to share their world with others. Do remember though, to always ask before you use any ones work, and always give credit when you do. There is no place for plagiarism here.
What’s the best thing about being a food blogger?
The opportunities to share fascinating foodie talk, including learning food photography and food styling with likeminded folk.
What the worst?
The bookmarked file of ‘THINKS TO BAKE’ that is always threatening to explode!
What food blog inspires you the most?
Pastry Chef / Blogger Aran Goyoaga @ Cannelle Et Vanille
What camera do you use?
Canon G9
Do you have any formal training in the field of cooking?
None. I’ve learnt from instinct, books and blogs.
Do you watch a lot of cooking on TV?
No, since we don’t get a lot of variety of food shows in India that I would like to watch.
How challenging has it been to find a loyal reader base?
It’s always a challenge to hold the readers’ interest, to post regularly & to offer something ‘fun’. I think it hasn’t been too difficult as I connect well with my readers.
What types of food do you enjoy preparing most?
I enjoy doing plated desserts, layered cakes & petit fours the most.
Do you have a signature dish or two?
My signature style is reflected in my iced cakes where I pipe out freehand designs, as a blogger pointed out the other day. I love doing sugar cookies in a similar manner. I also do a couple of mean Indian curries!
Favorite kitchen gadget?
Microplane Zester
If you could choose to be any food, what would it be?
Coffee
If you could banish just one food from the earth, what would it be?
Eggplant
What’s the one super power you wish you had?
The ability to increase the number of ‘foodie’ hours in a day…
Do you have a favorite chef, celebrity or otherwise?
Authors Alice Medrich & Claire Clark
What’s your favorite thing about “Refrigerator Soup”?
The refreshing layout…and of course, the tag line I love it!
To see more of Deeba’s food photography and to subscribe to her blog, please visit her at Passionate About Baking.
To learn about how you can get Featured, please email us at contact [at] refrigeratorsoup [dot] com. Note: Priority is given to those bloggers who consistently submit photographs, so please keep that in mind before inquiring.
Featured bloggers from weeks past…
