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
Actually adorable. I laughed even on such a bad day in the US. Love your blog and your doggie.
Loved the interview…. Fantastic job Dozer xo
~Love~ 🙂 You are totally awesome, Dozer. 🙂 Fantastic interview, you made my day, and gorgeous photos. 🙂
Loved it, thank you, I’m sure I’m one of the many Dozer fans who love the pics and now his voice is just right too. Laughed loudly at the karma pic. Cheers
Love love this post! But as I know you are a perfectionist Nagi and an ever-learner, it’s ‘palate’ not ‘palette’ when used in this context – it gave me a giggle in any case! Job done. Love your work -Helen
Greetings Nagi & Dozer,
I loved the photo interview. Adds a smile to one’s day. You are having a harder time of Covid in Aus. than we are here in NZ. Hopefully 2021 will be a better year for all but this new strain does have one wondering.
Best wishes to you both for a better 2021.
Jean B.
Oh thank you so much! Smiled for so long my cheeks hurt (on my face).
Love this! When its a meat recipe I go straight to the dozer pic knowing he sorted the taste test and looked a beauty too xx
THANK YOU DOZER–KEEP US SMILING!!
Oh my my!! I’m filled with actual glee from the interview, and I don’t even COOK! My mom does, and sends me EVERY photo of Dozier that she receives from you. I am an animal lover and he brightens my days each time she sends! That dog brings so much joy to an incredible amount of people – some who don’t even read a single recipe, like ME. I’m in love. With Dozier. Thank you for sharing him with us!
I loved the interview with Dozer..You guys are a match made in heaven,thank you Nagi.
Great interview! Definitely had me smiling. Perhaps you can convince Dozer to allow you to do a photo shoot of his iconic outfits. That would be amazing. Thanks for all the yummy recipes & Happy New Year to you both!
So cute. I enjoyed reading it. Funny how we can read our dog’s mind. You seem to have captured Dozer’s thoughts very accurately. Thank you for writing it!
Best. Post. Ever.
Terrific interview Nagi and Dozer. Keep well and safe throughout 2021. ;;
What a lovely article!!
Thank you for taking the time to divulge some interesting details of Dozer’s life 🙂
I loved the interview with Dozer I had a big smile 😊 on my face . 😂😂😂
Thanks so much for this, Nagi. Such a great laugh! Dozer is adorable.
Happy New Year!
xo
Yes, you made me laugh! I love Dozer and your wonderful recipes!! I really explored some of your asian recipes this year & they satisfied our family missing our favorite restaurant food during lockdown periods. Also, I appreciate the notes you add at the end of the recipes that include tips and ingredient substitutions. Wishing you a safe and healthy New Year from California.
Hi Nagi
Thank you so much for that delightful post it was great and enjoyed it very much.
I made your Salmon and Honey dish it was delicious never cooked salmon before and now we are hooked.
I love your recipes when you get to 73 your interest in cooking wanes somewhat, so I get a lot of inspiration from your emails.
We also in lock -down again but we have very disobedient citizens in our country that violate all rules and are partly responsible for the new lock down restrictions.
Thanks again I love your humour and keep up the good and hard work.
Warm wishes
Elizabeth Hall
S. Africa