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
That was incredibe Dozer. You brought a smile to my face and we all need plenty of that. Also your mum is a phenomenal cook, but don’t tell her that. Keep doing the taste testing. Happy new year.
Nagi – you are my go to site when the family says … “what’s for dinner” almost every night of the week. So many yummy recipes and I love the tips and explanations. Our current favourite is Chicken shawarma with fruit and nut pilaf!!! Both my children, boy and girl, now use your website. I LOVE DOZER!!
Happy New Year Nagi and Dozer. Still smiling at your antics, Dozer. Keep up the good work of keeping our spirits up as you have over the past year. Thank you for your fun emails and, oh my!, your lovely recipes. Roll on 2021!
🥰
What a great interview! Dozer and his modesty flower had me laughing out loud. Thanks for this special post….and everything that you have done this year. We all appreciate it!
We just love you two!
Hugs!
What a lovely present that was Nagi. There is no doubt that Dozer is just so gorgeously cute.Aw please look yourselves and thank you for all of the recipes you have sent I look forward to more after your well earned rest. Happy New Year Nagi and Dozer and all of your family
Excellent!!! That was a hoot!!! Happy New Year to both of you!!
Dearest Nagi and Dozer! Thank you so much for this post today. 2020 hasn’t been the best for me. Today you have lifted the spirits of, I am sure, very many people fortunate to know of your site. Tonight, fill your glass and toast the New Year in with gusto. Keep up the excellent work you do, take care, keep well and foremost have a truly Happy New Year!! Cheers x x
Bravo!!! 👏🏼👍 Excellent interview. Looking forward to many more. Job well done Dozer. 😁🥰
Thank you for the past year. You can take credit for lifting the cooking skills of many a household all over the world. Thanks to Dozer for keeping you on your toes, he’s an absolute hunk! All the very best for 2021. Bless you, Dozer and your family 🤎
Thanks for this interview with Dozer. Questions, answers and pictures were terrific. Happy New Year to you both. See you in 2021.
🤣🤣🤣soooo! Beautiful 🤩
Nagi amazing interview such in depth questions. Very appropriate unbiased journalistic opinion on how cute Dozer is and how serious he takes his role as official taste tester! Love love love! Thanks to you both for finishing off such a ruff year with such a beautiful piece. Happy new year to you both and look forward to more interviews. Oh and gorgeous Dozer pics!
Happy New Year Nagi and Dozer. Thank you for posting the exclusive interview. Very enlightening and fun.
Awwww this made my day! Happy New Year Nagi & Dozer xx
Nagi, perfect way to wrap up a difficult year. I adopted many of your recipes in 2020 and hope to do many more next year. Best wishes for healthy, happy and prosperous 2021 to you and Dozer.
Luckily, I live in rural Tasmania, and we pulled the drawbridge up pretty quickly! Dozer is an absolute delight, and I always skip to the end of the recipe first, to see what he has been up to. Love your recipes, you are my go to girl for everything, the maple glazed ham was fabulous, and I love how you are so generous with your food, hospitals, chap in the dog park, etc. Hope you both stay well and happy in the New Year. Thank you xx
LOVED the Life of Dozer 2020 interview!!! Fabulous idea! Would love to see seasonal interviews with Dozer.
Here’s to a better year in 2021 for everyone!
Haha, a lovely insight into Dozer’s life, such a lucky pooch to have a mum like you.
I really enjoy your recipes and hints, The bicarb trick to tenderise one of the all time best. Keep up the good work Nagi and let’s hope 2021 is so much easier than 2020.
Happy New Year. Xo
Happy New Year!!! I love your blog, and I really Love Dozer. wishing you both an incredible 2021