For the first time ever, Dozer has agreed to sit down with me for a candid interview to share an insight into his life.
In this explosive interview that took place in his very own home, he spills the beans on what it’s really like to live the Life of Dozer!
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Dozer, it’s been a tumultuous year. What’s your take on COVID and how it’s affected your life in 2020?
COVID? What is that, a new snack? I don’t recall getting any.
Errr, no. It’s that world-devastating-virus, the reason your mum has been at home with you 99% of this year. You didn’t notice?
Oh. I thought that was just because she wanted to hang with me. I really was not complaining that she didn’t travel overseas this year.
Though having said that, I do miss my own vacations at the golden retriever boarders’ place…
OK. Well, let’s move onto a topic you are more knowledgable about. I’m fascinated by this job you do – Official Taste Tester. What are your key responsibilities?
My job is to taste food made by my mum that she is considering sharing on this website, and to give honest, objective feedback.
What an interesting job! Do you have any formal qualifications?
No, it’s something I have a natural talent for, and a field that I have always been very interested in.
I do work hard on self education every day, seeking every opportunity to hone my skills and expand my palette, from breakfast, lunch to dinner, from anyone, anywhere. See?
And do you consider yourself a high performer employee?
[Chest puffs with pride] I’ve been told by my mum that my eagerness is commendable and that my passion for food is unrivalled.
She has also praised me for the speed at which I do my job ie. eating the food I am sampling. I am fast!
Your mum cooks a LOT. Do you get to taste test a lot?
Not as much as I am willing to do, that’s for sure. I feel like my mum is suppressing my ability to do my job to the fullest of my abilities.
I’m not sure what you mean. Can you expand on this?
For example, she makes a roast beef. I am the RecipeTin Eats Official Taste Tester. My job is to TASTE IT. Yet, I get nothing more than a tiny sliver. How am I to determine if it is a good recipe or not without a sufficient quantity to sample??
Well Dozer, word on the grapevine is that you think EVERYTHING tastes good…
Tabloid lies! I have a very sophisticated palette. Like – kale. YUCK! Pork crackling. YUM! See?
Err, yes. Excellent examples. So – moving on.
Low point of 2020?
The Mystery Tummy Pain of 2020. Ooooh, that was so painful, I was hiding in far corners of the house curled up in pain. I’m so lucky my mum got me to the emergency hospital so quickly. They thought it was something scary when they started doing tests on me. It turned out to be….well, just gastro.
Wait – so everyone was super stressed about you being seriously sick and it was just gastro? Sounds like a case of Tummy Man Flu, if you ask me…..
[Sulking tone] It was BAD, I’m telling you. Even the vet thought I was like DYING of something nasty! I even turned down roast chicken. Everybody knows that’s my all time favourite food!
Plus, they shaved me to do scans. My privates were exposed for all the world to see. My mum had to use the Modesty Flowers on my photos for weeks!!
High point of 2020?
That Perfect Day, when I bounded out of bed at 6 am, my mum prepared my home cooked meal straight away, then we went off to the dog beach to play with my friends. Came home to a warm shower, snoozed in the sun to dry off.
Chased birds in the backyard, chatted to my neighbours’ dog through a hole in the fence, rolled around on the grass, played with my toys.
Finished off the day with a swim in the pool followed by a big juicy bone, homemade dinner then off to bed.
Sounds delightful Dozer. And when was this Perfect Day?
Yesterday! And the day before. Wait, and the day before that, and the day before that….. 😇
So basically you mean every day is a Perfect Day. That is Life of Dozer!!
What would you say your greatest asset is?
My looks. I’ve been known to make grown men give up an entire drumstick using just my looks.
And finally, I think it’s fitting to finish with this question: Best food memory of 2020?
That time mum was teasing me, showing me a Custard Tart she made with no intention of sharing it with me. Then she dropped it. #Karma
Ha ha! You certainly seem to live a charmed life Dozer!
Thank you for taking the time to chat to me. We look forward to seeing what 2021 holds for Life of Dozer!
Happy New Year everyone! Usually, I’d see out a year with a post filled with party foods to celebrate New Years’ Eve. But given this year will be (very!) quiet for many of us, I thought I’d do something a little different.
Hopefully it gave you a bit of a laugh!
I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that I won’t miss 2020. We’ve got more challenges ahead in 2021, but surely things can only go one way – UP!
Here’s to better times ahead! Keep smiling, stay safe, and sending big (virtual) hugs to you all!
– Nagi & Dozer xx
Love your recipes but have been guilty of checking out what Dozer is doing before I check out your latest post.
Happy New Year and thank you for the laugh we need it on the northern beaches at the moment
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Dozer is one lucky dog and you’re a lucky dog mum. I wondered if he got to eat the custard tart you dropped on the flour…or at least some of it. Happy New Year!
Thank you for the smiles and laughs. This was awesome and just what I needed today. Best interview of the year!
Dozer is quite the popular tabloid star! He is very well-spoken and seems to have quite a good head on his shoulders 🙂 Cheers to Dozer and his Mum. Thanks for all the great meals in 2020 – that was definitely a bright spot in our family!
OMG that interview was hillarious but it gave great insight into what your furbaba really thinks about. I just love love love your recipes Nagi. Keep bringing em xx
Happy New Year 2021 Nagi and Dozer! Loved your interview. Love your recipes.
Thanks for all the posts and stories about Dozer and your great recipes!
Happy new year from Canada!
Delightful sense of humor, Nagi. Dozer is a lucky dog in more ways than one.
Fabulous interview. I love your recipes and for Xmas day we had your Xmas baked salmon, marinated roast veg, Xmas caramel popcorn (I had to make 2 batches as the first mysteriously disappeared). We had japanese Xmas cake for dessert. I’ve just acquired an 18 month old Maltese shitzu who is just adorable. Here in new Zealand we can socialise so she’s doing lots of that and dragging me out and about.
The interview with Dozer made me smile.
Happy new year Nagi & Dozer xxx
Dear Dozer and Nagi ,
Enjoyed the interview and pictures. My husband, Ace (our canine child) are settling in for a evening of four courses of your Mom’s recipes and football, Or in my case, a good novel. Wishing all of your loved ones hope and health for 2021. I look forward to more delicious dishes of food to serve and pictures of you enjoying life.
Happy 2021 to you and Dozer…apparently being treated “ like a dog” should be seen as a wonderful goal in life! Thanks for your great recipes and for sharing Dozer with all of us!
I loved the interview with Dozer. You are a gem of a mum. Dozer is one beautiful
animal! Love all the pics.
Nagi, I always enjoy your posts. Recipes are great and easy to follow. And, of course, your taste tester, Dozer, makes sure he’s involved in everything!
Wishing you both a Happy New Year, with lots more fun and food!
Happy New Year to you and Dozer. It truly gladdens my heart to see his pictures and antics. Love the recipes and have enjoyed trying some through these very strange times xx
Thank you for a great interview & photos. Just what we all needed to bring a smile at the end of a tough year. Keep up the good work Nagi & Dozer!
Ha! Modesty Flower cracks me up
You are amazing at cooking and also at humour. Love the Dozer stories. Cheers to a new year 🥳
Love Dozer!! U hv made him a hero besides ur recipes too ! Wishing both of u a great year ahead!!
Thank you for exposing Dozer’s charmed life. Thank you for all the amazing work you do – my family and friends love your recipes and your generosity of this website. Stay safe and take care.