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
Wonderful interview. I love Dozer.
What a creative and zany interview with your handsome boy. Love your humour and I would like to subscribe to your “Dogue” magazine 😂 please. Thank you so much for your generous recipe shares and the decadent videos. Sending hugs and Happiness to you in 2020. From the W. Coast of Canada – White Rock, BC.
That was supposed to read 2021… yikes we don’t be wanting another 2020.
Lol. Gorgeous. The custard tart “incident” cracked me up. Having done that myself with a pav. Lol. Dozer must have thought all his Christmas’s had come at once. “Oh really, Mum. You shouldn’t have. But seeing as it’s there. Let me help with the cleanup.” :-). He’s a much loved child. As it should be. :-).
That was great! Thanks for the laughs. All the best to you and Dozer in 2021
I love Dozers life. I want that to. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes and sharing Dozers life with us all. I look forward to new recipes and more Dozer adventures in 2021.
I love the great recipes you share and Dozer.
Happy Blessed and Prosperous New Year!
Thank you Nagi for all the fabulous recipes and thank Dozer for his contribution also. I wish you, your family and dozer a Happy New Year and look forward to many more fabulous treats/photos in 2021. Stay safe.
I look forward to seeing your recipes it’s how I start my morning on a positive note. LOVE Dozer and all his photos and stories. Love all the recipes I’ve tried you help me try things outside my own recipe box and keep it interesting. Thanks for the humor and your support through a rough year.
Happy New Year Nagi and Dozer! Thank you for your wonderful recipes and for sharing Dozer with everyone.
Hope 2021 is a wonderful year for you both!
This is fantastic! You and Dozer are a great duo 🙂
Thankyou for the recipes, for sharing Dozer and for your joyous outlook on life! May 2021 be kind to you and yours.
Hi Nagi and Dozer,I so enjoyed reading that and like you wish for a better 2021 for everyone.So keep safe and look forward to 2021 with hope.
I thoroughly enjoy learning to cook again with your recipes. Life of Dozer is amazing.
What an interview!! I laughed with tears😅. Dozer is one special boy and very articulate. You clever lady Nagi such talent. Happy new year to you and your family Dozer included. 😊
Probably one of the most interesting interviews EVER!
Dozer sounds like he has an amazing mom! Wonder if Dozer could interview her sometime? I hope everyone has a healthy calm celebration of the New Year and that 2021 is all we hope for.
This has made my day! Dozer sure sounds like he has a charmed life
Love this…..when I need a recipe your website always has an answer…when I need a laugh….well I got that too….thank Nagi….still the best cooking site I have found!!!
Thank you for the wonderful Dozer interview! Made my year! Just love him (and your recipes!)!
This has to be the best thing I have read all year! What a great way to exit 2020! At least we will have something worth remembering from this lousy year. Thank you so much, and from the other side of the planet, Montreal Canada, I wish you and Dozer a very Happy New Year and the very best for 2021!
Love the interview, & might I say that Dozer is one handsome fella!. Here’s to a Happy New Year! 🎊