A very big Merry Christmas from Team RecipeTin!!
We really did try for a respectable photo. Think – iPhone set up precariously on a DIY tripod involving a ladder, upturned bucket and jam jar to hold it upright. She sets the timer, yells “SMILE EVERYONE!”, dashes into the shot.
Multiple takes later, with feedback such as “STEPHEN WHY DO YOU LOOK STRESSED” and “HERRON, STOP HIDING!!!”, this was the best of the bunch:
Which, truthfully, looks entirely awkward and is not us at all.
THIS is us:
One take was all it took!
The RecipeTin Crew
So there I am with my motley crew on the last day of work at our new RecipeTin Meals food bank kitchen. Starting from the front left:
RecipeTin’s head Chef JB who has become very much a part of the face of RecipeTin over the past year, touring Australia with me for food demo events and working alongside me every single day to create, test, photograph and film the recipes on our website and other publications;
Mama RecipeTin aka the Queen, the voice, cook and photographer behind RecipeTin Japan and the one person who will tell me off without hesitation, in front of anyone, at any time;
Me!
Dan-the-Man, our Kitchenhand at RecipeTin Meals!
Herron my video editor, hiding on the very left, our shy, innocent one – until she unleashes her wicked sense of humour….
Elke, the most recent addition to our team, my new assistant. Only with us for 2 months, but it feels like 2 years!
Chef Hannah, part of our RTM team, trying to hide. Do not let her size fool you, she is a pocket rocket in the kitchen!
My brother Goh, IT guru and a walking food encyclopaedia. His knowledge about foods and cooking from all around the world is mind-blowing.
Inggrid our human calculator who makes sure our books are squeaky clean and that I’ll never go to jail for tax fraud; and
Stephen, hiding at the very back, our boss Chef at RTM. One of the funniest people I have ever met in my life – and also the man at the helm of the RecipeTin Meals kitchen where we have never, ever missed a meal delivery to those in need since we started.
I call us a “motley crew” because any outsider looking at us would see a mish-mash of people from all walks of life, representing 8 different countries, yet all Australian at heart. Together, with Mr Dozer, we make up Team RecipeTin, and we want to wish you all a very, very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Ah, yes, speaking of Dozer! He wasn’t in the team photo because it was at RTM which is a proper commercial kitchen subject to health and safety regulations. Which includes – no dogs. Which we do not complain about because these rules are in place for a reason.
But, as you would know, Christmas related photos of Dozer are in no way lacking. In fact, my camera roll is filled with them:
Ahh look, here he is, claiming ownership of a present that isn’t his (but it does contain food – so we must all commend him for his superior sense of smell):
Then there he is a mere 5 minutes later – given up. Dozer! I’m surprised, you know perseverance is rewarded!
Merry Christmas!
Thank you for cooking along with us, your kind messages of support as we’ve moved through (another!) year of many firsts, from searching for and finding a new kitchen for RecipeTin Meals, touring Australian with the Good Food and Wine Show, TV slots, magazine shoots, hosting reader dinners, selling my forever home, living in the RT office (yes I’m still living at work!!😭). We visited Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, MUDGEE, Newcastle, Hunter Valley and next year we’ve got Adelaide & Tasmania in our sights!!
Through it all there’s been so much laughter, and SO MUCH GOOD FOOD. And you, our readers, you are the reason we are here doing what we do and the reason we love what we do. The feedback you give us, the emails you send, the messages you leave on recipes, the interactions on social media – you are our community, our world, the reason we get so much joy in what we do.
So THANK YOU!! Sending you all a giant virtual hug!
I’ll be offline for a few days from today until the 28th of December. I’ve been answering some emergency cries for help on top-hitting Christmas recipes here on my website and no doubt if I happen to spot some during my “break”, I won’t be able to resist. So leave your questions on the recipe!
Merry Christmas everyone! – Nagi & Dozer x ❤️
Merry Christmas to the whole team ,Thank you Nagi for your recipes and I love all the photos of Dozer 😂🤣😂he truly makes my day I love him sooooo much 😘💋🤗
Dear Nagi and Dozer and Team, Thank you for another year of yummy recipes. I look forward to many more in 2024. Please let us know when you are coming to Adelaide so my daughter and I can come to see you.
Merry Christmas and a Happy 2024. Best wishes Tina
Dear Nagi,
We’ve been following you for quite a few years from the U.K. You are an inspiration to us all and your recipes delicious, We’d like to wish you, your team and Dozer of course, a very merry Christmas & a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Anne & John xxx
Merry Christmas 2023 you absolute living legends! I am a better, more confident & curious cook because of you! You are appreciated beyond words ❤️
Merry Christmas to the team and Dozer from Windsor, England…and thanks for the roast best pork belly recipe EVER! ❤️
Merry Christmas to the entire RTE team! Nagi, you’re the best, but DOZER steals the show! As he should, it’s his job! Thanks for making food magic and pulling the whole world together!
Much love from icy northern New York – near the Canadian border!
Hi Nagi, Dozer and the RTE team. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and enjoy your well earned break. Thank you for your inspirational recipes. Cheers.
Merry Christmas to you and your team and of course beautiful Dozer who makes me smile every time I look at him. And many many thanks for the inspiration and confidence your recipes have given me to get my cooking mojo back!
Have a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy and thank you for your inspiring recipes.
I started following you this year when I found that every one of your recipes that I used turned out really well . They have all been popular with my family
and I look forward new recipes in the new year. Its your baked ham for Christmas. Best wishes to you and all of the crew for a wonderful Christmas .
Thank you Nagi and all your team for putting together so many fabulous recipes during the year. You all really deserve a safe happy Christmas break and a special hug for Dozer. He’s adorable. 🎄💕
Love ya work ,, merry Christmas to you all there especially the beautiful girl in the Santa hat , kisses for you,, MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE
Awesome recipes with minimal fails on my part !! happy Christmas to a great team from Australia
Thank you for sharing your inspiring journey, to date. I was a little concerned when I didn’t see Dozer in the ‘silly ‘ photos, but he looks best in the ‘team photo’ with you as he shares an important role as chief taster.
All good wishes to you and the rest of the rte team and a safe and happy Christmas.
A Very Merry Christmas to you and the team. Love following RTE , trying the recipes, the book, and seeing Dozers days. Cant wait to see what 2024 brings.
Merry Christmas to the whole team!
A gazillion thanks for all of the fabulous “Nagi” recipes and big squishy hugs to you, Dozer and your wonderful team. Merry Christmas 🎅
Merry Christmas Nagi and team. Your website is my absolute favourite. I can always rely on your recipes to turn out exactly as you describe and they are always delicious.
Merry Christmas from Washington State! Wishing you, your team and of course Dozer a joyous Christmas and fantastic new year!
Love the photo of you and Dozer. A very Merry Christmas to Team RTE! Thank you for making 2023 a ‘cooking’ year for me, full of your great recipes and Dozer stories!