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
D E L I G H T F U L!
from Canada
Nagi
Wishing you and Dozer and indeed all your family every happiness for 2021. Thank you for all your posts and your AMAZING recipes, I can assure you that you that you made a difference in our home during 2020. Thank you
Nagi, both you and Dozer are adorable! It is refreshing to see a new take on a recipe/cooking website with the addition of Dozer, his life and your loving-kindness to animals. Thank you, Nagi, for keeping it real for us all. Love to you and Dozer in 2021.
The part about the custard tart made me LOL! Love you and Dozer and your recipes!
I love the interview with Dozer. Brought a smile to my face. Happy 2021 to you, Nagi, and to Dozer. Thank you for this blog..
Love pictures of Dozer. He certainly has the life!!! cute interview, too.
Love this Nagi! Thanks and all the best to you and your family in 2021!
Happy New Year Nagi and Dozer!🥳🥳 Thanks so much for sharing your gifts with the world. I’m so glad I found your site and have really enjoyed learning from you this year! May 2021 be better for us all❤️
The cover of this prestigious magazine Dogue is lovely, I had a great time reading Dozer’s answers, that was hilarious specially the one about the fruit tart “Karma” thank you Nagi for all your recipes, my best wishes for you and Dozer, stay safe and healthy.
Dozer and his Mom are so smart! I enjoyed their year-end interview thoroughly. I hope to hear about more of their adventures in the future. In the meantime, Happy New Year!
Happy new year to you and Dozer. You were lucky to get such an exclusive interview. He’s so handsome and talented. X
👏👏👏 amazing!! New Year Greetings to you and Dozer. Stay safe 🤗x
Extremely humorous. Made me smile as I ate my breakfast. You certainly love your dog.
Your cooking instructions are among the clearest most helpful ones I know. You are a real teacher.
Thank you, Nagi – that was a lovely interview of the life and times of Dozer. Happy New Year to you both.
And extra cudos for the appropriate use of apostrophes. 😊
Wishing you a seriously successful, healthy and joyous New Year with your lovely retriever! I invited friends for tiramisu and a Middle eastern inspired lunch with the cauliflower salad, etc and the next day someone commented on my apparent spectacular lunch. Thank you for your entertaining and easy to follow writing and recipes! Good wishes from Eva (and my 20 year old mate cat Salem)
Happy New Year, Nagi! I loved this article – such a happy way to start the new year. Just got to say, the Golden Retriever boarding place looks like a slice of heaven: all those happy dogs! Love your blog, Nagi! All the best for a short lockdown, a healthy and happy New Year.
Hi Nagi
Loved your interview with Dozer. Hilarious!! My daughter and I are huge fans of you both and love your recipes!! Happy New Year – hope you have a great 2021!!
Happy New Year! Dozer is amazing and I love reading about his antics! And I’ve enjoyed so many delicious recipes from you! Always looking forward to something new to try. So happy I found you!
I absolutely love the cover shot and “Dogue” is simply brilliant. Love the life of Dozer and it’s close to my heart due to my last name. Love your food. It always works. Someone said earlier “Thanks for making me look good” Thank you Nagi, & Dozer. Happy 2021
Have enjoyed cooking different recipes you’ve shared Navi! Loved the interview with Dozer. What a darling!!! Happy New Year to you both.🌈🤩
Darn autocorrect! Nagi!!!! 😬🙄