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
So entertaining to read your interview, genius! Both your lives are blessed! Made your Baked Christmas Salmon, with some twists and shaped it into a tree! It’s one of a kind! Thank you!
Your posts are one of the parts of my day that I enjoy best. Your humor and Dozer lift me up. Thank you for that and the food yumm. Makes this Texas girl happy.
Loved the interview-Dozer is very handsome! Always look forward to your posts and recipes.
Thank you Nagi and Dozer! Happy New Year to you both!
I so love your recipes. Everyone has been topnotch. Hubby says so, too. Dozens escapades are too much! Love your New Years interview with him.
I am so grateful I found your website this year (though I don’t know what took me so long)!! I have made countless of your recipes, which are all winners….and I absolutely love keeping up on Dozer’s pampered life. I love this post, so funny!!!
Hello from Thornton, Colorado, Dozer and Nagi. You make Covid times more bearable. I love the recipes and equally as much all things Dozer. Have a wonderful 2021.
Cute interview! Dozer is a handsome dog. Thank you for your recipes. Have a safe and Happy New Year !!’
You are a complete Joy with your precious Dozer just love him have a blessed safe New Year to you both
Love the interview and the pictures. Precious and made my day💕. Love you’re recipes too. Thank you.
I always enjoy getting your recipes. ( which I. Have made many of them) I also enjoy stories about Dozer. discovered that my brother in law also follows you. I really enjoyed his interview!!!
Ha ha ha – what a brilliant post, and such smashing photos too!
Wishing you both a happy and healthy 2021! xx
That is one lucky dog. Home cooked meals? When I die, I want to come back as your dog.
Love that last interview picture. 🙂
Happy New Year!
Dozer you warm my heart! Your mums recipes are some of our favourites and with such an amazing taste tester it’s no wonder these recipes next level delish! My dog Moose enjoys taste testing all the ones we make too, he thinks like you and isn’t too keen on green things 😉. I’m sure you’d be good friends. Happy New Years old boy 💙 hope you and your mum enjoy some good treats!
Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!
What a great way to see out this [expletive deleted] year!
All the best to you, Dozer and the Recipe Tin family for 2021!
Aha! At last, crucial (and adorable) insights into the inner life of the fearless Official Taste-Tester who makes sure all these recipes are delicious! Bravo! ^-^
Happy. Healthy and Safe New Year to both you and Dozer
Gosh I really enjoy reading your posts everyday! Wonderful food and Dozer is the best. You had me howling at this interview! Happy New Year Nagi and Dozer
PERFECT TEAM. LOVED HIS INTERVIEW.
LOVED THE INTERVIEW. I HAVE DOZER ENVY. I THINK HIS GREATEST ASSET IS NAGI.