The last few weeks since Dinner hit the stores in Australia has been a whirlwind. Here’s what’s been happening!
(And here’s my ongoing full Australian book-tour schedule here.)
“Why are all these people here?” my mother asked me, baffled, genuinely confused as she peeked out from backstage at an audience of 400.
“Well, I think they’re here for me…..?” I said, uncertainly, just as confused.
“You mean they PAID to come and hear you talk? I don’t understand. YOU?” she said, brows furrowed in total disbelief.
I wish I had captured that conversation on camera!! Because it’s funny – if anyone else had said it, it would be deemed downright insulting 😂 – and also because it perfectly captures my bewilderment as we pound the pavement for the cookbook publicity tour in Australia.
You see, this office-gal turned food blogger has been hiding behind a keyboard all these years. Being in front of a camera is definitely not my comfort zone. I have no desire to be “famous” (whatever that means these days!), to be recognised in public, to be on TV or in glossy magazines.
But on the other hand, the nervousness of public speaking is immediately forgotten when I see the first friendly face. The moment someone says hi and we start chatting food, BOOM! It’s like – well, it IS – chatting to a friend. It’s fun! It’s the best part, meeting so many wonderful people, having a laugh and hearing stories.
And there’s no better way for me to share with you what it’s been like than to show you. Welcome to the RecipeTin Cookbook Tour Home Movies!
Cookbook Tour Home Video!
Here’s a list of the events featured in my little home video:
Visiting Warringah Mall, my closest mall, on book release day to see my cookbook for sale in stores!
Kinokuniya book talk and signing that took place in the city, Dozer and my first public event!
Big W book signing – a public event that anyone could attend. I was so worried about people not turning up that I brought cookies and brownies to entice people! That, plus Dozer, worked. I was determined to stay until I met the last person in the queue. It took about 5 1/2 hours!
Cocktail party at Dymocks bookstore in Sydney city – Catered by my team (with a tiny little bit of help from me 😂). There were bubbles and nibbles and Dozer, chatting and book signing. It was fabulous fun! (Other than blowing the power in the store when we plugged in 3 deep fryers we brought in to cook arancini balls and spring rolls!!)
In addition to the above, I’ve been doing some little impromptu signings at some independent book stores across Sydney, both during the week and on weekends. I do like these small signings – more time to chat!!
TV!
Yes, Dozer has been on TV. Check that off his my bucket list!! 😂
Here he is with me on Studio 10 (a morning show on Channel 10) for a cooking demo, where I did the 12 hour lamb shoulder. (Watch it online here, or here on Facebook!)
Not even I have a chef hat…. how did Dozer manage to score one??
And here I am on Sunrise, another breakfast show on Channel 7 (watch it online here, or here on Facebook). Dozer wasn’t invited to this one – too complicated. He definitely does add an element of complexity to things he attends!!! 😂
For Sunrise, I did a demo of the Korean BBQ Beef Ribs, a cookbook exclusive recipe. Let’s just say it was quite a hit with the crew…. apparently most cooking guests do no-cook things like salads. Me, I insisted on making something statement!!!
Interviews!
I can’t quite describe how I felt when I opened up the Sydney Morning Herald to be greeted with this on the cover of the Good Food lift out a couple of weeks ago:
Errrr…. hmm. Never thought something like this would happen to me!!!!
Here are links to some of the online version of articles, in case you’re interested. I really like how they tell my story of how this website and my cookbook came to be!
Cooking up a storm: How Nagi Maehashi turned RecipeTin Eats into a global hit in the Good Food in the Sydney Morning Herald and Melbourne’s The Age. The first interview published in the media!
Meet Nagi Maehashi from RecipeTin Eats in the Western Australia Sunday Times Magazine (“STM”). This is a lovely piece that very clearly captures my stance on “I don’t want to be recognised, I like going to the shops in my tracksuit pants 😭”.
A day in the life of Nagi Maehashi of RecipeTin Eats in The Design Files. Honestly, I must be their first interviewee whose lead photo is in PJ’s. 😂
Don’t worry. My people are keeping my ego in check.
With all these flattering things the media are saying about me, I know you must be rather concerned about how big my head is growing…… Ha ha ha!!!
But never fear. My people – my team and my family – have always and will always do an excellent job to keep my head from getting too big. Case in point – the conversation with my mother at the top of this post. Ruthless! 😂
As for sales…..?
I thought long and hard about whether to go public with how the book sales are going since it hit the shelves on 11 October 2022. On one hand, it feels boastful (spoiler alert) and is irrelevant to anyone without a vested or commercial interest in Dinner.
But on the other hand, I feel like you’ve been with me on this journey since the day I shared that I had decided to do a cookbook. And not telling you feels like leaving out a chunk of the story.
So I decided to share.
According to my publisher, Dinner is:
The fastest selling cookbook on record in Australian history
The fastest selling book in Australian history for a debut author (ie all types of books)
The biggest first week release of 2022
I’ve read these words in emails and heard them said to me. But that is the first time I’ve written those words myself and I think the significance just hit me. I’m a little overwhelmed and still trying to digest it.
Thank you, everyone. I couldn’t have done it without you. – Nagi x
PS In case you are wondering, I can’t share actual sales numbers because of confidentiality reasons but they are recorded in a subscription service used by the publishing industry called Nelson BookScan. As for international, pre-orders are available in the US and Canada but official numbers don’t get released until the book hits the stores. UK to be announced soon!
Life of Dozer
You want it? Just slobber on it.
I’ve been following you for years. Well deserved!
Thank you Carina! It’s been a hard slog labour of love! N x
Hi Nagi,
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful videos of you and Dozer and what is happening so far with your cook book release. As soon as your book was released in Big W, I did a click and collect order as I did not want to miss out. I love your cookbook and I did cook the Butter Chicken recipe (our family favorite). Loving all the recipes in Dinner. My mouth was watering from all the lovely recipes. Thank you. Hugs and kisses to Dozer. xxoo
Awww I LOVE reading this, thanks so much for your message Tracy! And getting my book! N xx
Greetings from Michigan USA…Kudo’s to you and your team for the great job giving us all the wonderful recipes and now the book (due in US in Feb ’23)-enjoyed being with you along that road and so happy you’re getting your well deserved attention! Hugs to Dozer, he’s a good boy!
Thank you Nancy! I’ve actually really loved sharing the journey with readers, it feels like having a group of friends to whine to when thins got rocky 😂 N x
Nagi, I’m so ridiculously proud of you and Dozer, you’d think we actually knew one another! Your blog was an immediate favorite for me — and upped my cooking game (and assortment of pantry supplies) significantly! Many many congrats on success — can’t wait to receive my cookbook!
I feel like we know each other!! Thank you for your kind words Bronwen, it’s been so nice sharing stories with you. it’s been a hard slog!! N xx
Nagi, Congratulations on all of your much deserved success! You look beautiful in all these photos, especially your Good Food cover! BTW, I made the feta dip for a party last weekend, it was a hit!
Hi Nagi – I have been one of your silent followers for many years. Well really, I am a Dozer follower!
I don’t do much cooking any more but I love your recipes and your hard earned success. Well done.
Regards, Diana
I’m so happy for you nagi😀 and all your success
Love your book
You are so humble and honest and I wish you all the best I all things to come..
I am (im)patiently waiting for my preordered cookbook -I think Amazon US is saying the end of February? I think I could swim the ocean faster than that! Oh well, at least I can look forward to a great after Christmas present to myself! Sounds like you are thriving on your book signing tours. Keep on keeping on. Hi Dozer! Good boy to keep your mom company on her adventure.
When we will get the books in New Zealand?
I am happy for you,well done!
Hi Elena I’m in New Zealand and have the book (love it!). Nagi put a link to pre-order it from PaperPlus so they may have them in store.
Thank you very much,I will try tommorow!
so incredibly happy for you and Dozer!!!!! I got my friend who living in melbourne to get a copy for me and another friend to bring to back to sunny singapore for me and my my my!!!!!! I have it with me on my bedside table, and carry it with me to the living room during the day, then to the kitchen and it ends up back on the nightstand at the end of the day. I’m basically browsing it all day, everyday, since i received it hahahaa
amazing work and so incredibly happy for you!!!!!
cant wait for your book to be released internationally so everyone can share in this happiness!!!
Congratulations on your book launch and all the success you’ve had and will continue to have. We’ve been overseas for quite a while then home only a short while before travelling more of our own country – Australia. Since I have SO MANY and COOKED SO MANY of your dishes my laptop is FULL and OVER THE BRIM OF “Recipetineats” recipes that I don’t think I’ll need to purchase your book. You’ve been my “life-line” for so long just like being one of our family. I wish you and Dozer well and every success over the coming “YEARS”.
Been following your site for years, relishing recipes that work! Great job Nagi, go get ’em!
Congratulations, Nagi!!
Where’s my cookbook? 😧😂
Impatiently waiting in Billings, Montana, USA!
Amazing job, you two!
Congratulations Nagi!
I have saved a lot of your great recipes sent out to me by email so may not need the book for a while! Obviously, I am not the only one that loved them by the amount of followers and book purchasers. Fame has found you!! Well deserved!!
I too have saved many of Nagi’s recipes on my iPad, but her cookbook contains many, many new recipes and was well worth the money!
Congrats Nagi, absolutely love your cookbook which I pre-ordered for delivery to Port Elliot SA.
Once again, congratulations to you & Dozer
Congrats again Nagi, your book is wonderful. I think part of your success is that you are very likeable and down to earth. As for Dozer ❤🐶❤
Nagi, congratulations on such success with your book signings and your cookbook itself. I have mine on pre-order. Your personality is only surpassed by the excellent recipes I’ve received via email. Carry on! André
Congratulations. I can’t think of anyone else who deserves to receive the recognition you received for the release of cookbook.
I love your recipes and detail you place in them. I use them with my students in food tec and hospitality. Not to mention our love for Dozer. He is a star with us and our pets. Keep up the wonderful work you do. FOOD IS WONDERFUL.
Can’t wait to meet you tomorrow in Melbourne. You are an inspiration to all home cooks. Your simple, but effective recipes have transformed my cooking from mediocre to magnifique!