Thank you Megan for the nomination! So, the wonderful Loriley, who started the ‘#fdbloggers’ community of food bloggers has set up a get to know #fdbloggers where you can nominate different bloggers to find out a little more about them. I’ve loved reading everyones #fdbloggersGTK posts! Here’s mine – hope you enjoy!
Name:Vicky Dalton-Banks
Blog: Dalton-Banks
What was your reason for starting a blog?
I spend most of my day reading about food, looking at pictures of food, talking about food and always thinking about my next meal. My friends think it’s hilarious how my husband and I work out a plan of sharing as much of the menu as possible when we go out, like there is actually a game plan. I started the blog because I wanted to share the great places I eat and share my recipes (though I wish I did the recipe sharing more) and to meet like-minded people. I never really thought about making friends with the people I would meet, but that has been amazing too.
What’s the dish you’re most proud of?
It’s not something that I’ve actually blogged yet, but it’s probably this gnocchi I made recently. I literally saw a photo the day before of gnocchi and I couldn’t get it out of my head. I had an exact idea of what I fancied and I just put it together. And It worked really well. It might not sound like much but I’m proud that I’ve learnt lots about flavours and ingredients since starting my blog and improved the way I cook. I love quick and simple meals, they’re definitely the main kind of recipes I share. It was seriously good and I can’t wait to share the recipe very soon.
What one kitchen utensil could you not live without?
If we’re going practical it would be a sharp knife. But otherwise a food processor, 100%! I actually don’t know what I did before I got one. I use it almost daily, though I think it’s definitely time to invest in a good one! But yeh, I use it for all aspects of my cooking!
You’re stranded on a desert island. What three ingredients do you take with you?
Chicken, avocado, garlic. I love chicken, I think if I had to choose a food to eat every day for the rest of my life it would be that (roasted or nandos style would be impossible to choose between though). And well, I probably eat an avocado most days, and they’re very good for you so bonus points there. Garlic adds flavour to anything – one of my favourite smells is frying garlic!
Who do you take inspiration from?
Other food blogs are definitely in first place. But also I love Instagram and Pinterest. I’m very visual with food. But there is definitely something about a heavy hardback cookbook. Though I hate cook books that don’t have a photo of every dish, I find it hard to cook from. Maybe that says more about my cookery skills!
Your favourite social media platform?
Instagram – I love it! I can spend hours looking at photos of delicious looking food, I lust after all the beautiful props too. It’s great for ideas on where to eat out and also great for recipes. I get a lot of my ideas from Instagram. You can follow me here for all the food porn and cocktails, with a little travel thrown in for good measure.
Biggest disaster in the kitchen?
I’ve never actually had like a ‘oh sh*t!’ moment in the kitchen when cooking for lots of people. Does that make me a boring cook!? The biggest fail I can think of is attemping to make red velvet cup cakes in an oven with no temperature markings for my husbands birthday – I don’t know what I was thinking, I am no baker anyway (I’m not good with the whole measuring thing, I like to add, taste, add, taste) and they looked very dippy and sad when they came out, like burnt on the outside but not cooked. Haha, oops!
Favourite spot for a coffee?
The Counter Cafe – I might be a little bias because I had my wedding reception here and it’s a short walk from my old flat – but its so calm by the canal. Their coffee is very good and also their breakfasts are pretty epic. I also like Monmouth Coffee in Borough Market to sit and people watch.
Favourite food photo you’ve taken?
I really like the photo below of my courgetti with red pepper pesto. It’s a very simple dish but I love the light in the photo. I definitely need to improve my photography, I’m working on it!
What would you say was your most successful blog post and why?
Recipe wise my halloumi salad has definitely gone down well – probably because it looks so summery and pretty! But reviews of new openings are also very successful – I think people like to check out reviews of new openings to make sure it’s worth their money to head there themselves – I know I do that!
Now nominate three food bloggers you’d like to get to know more:
I’d like to nominate Elle of Elle Bloggs, Amanda of Rhyme & Ribbons and Andrea of Andrea’s Passions.
I look forward to reading your posts!
Follow me on Bloglovin, Instagram and Twitter for all things food!
Enjoyed reading this. I’ve been to the Monmouth Coffee shop and really enjoyed it too.
Thanks! I’ve loved reading everyone’s posts – including yours! Yes, Monmouth Coffee is a lovely spot.
Loved reading this! So glad to see that I’m not the only one who devises a game plan when eating out – got to make the most of the menu and try as much as possible. Counter Cafe sounds great, need to venture East and give it a try x
Sophie Loves Food | Recipes & Reviews
Counter Cafe is a great little spot, lots of nice walks to do around there too! Always got to have a game plan 🙂 x
It is so awesome that you had your wedding reception at The Counter Cafe, it is one of my favourite brunch spots in London. Also if you ever want a coffee buddy at Monmouth let me know it’s right beside my work and is one of my favourites for a caffeine pick me up. Loved getting to know a little more about you in this post.
http://www.emmainks.com
Ah thank you! I’ve loved reading everyones posts too. Isn’t The Counter Cafe the best for brunch! Next time I’m close by Monmouth I’ll let you know! x