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.
Reading this account of your book tour just confirmed what I allready knew……..Australians are good people, down to earth, generous and friendly and most of all they they can be relied upon. From Canada with love.
Looking forward to the UK release news 🙂
You deserve all these wonderful things that are happening- Dozer, too, of course! Sending warm Congratulations from Houston, Texas
Congratulations on your cookbook Nagi (and Dozer)! Let me give you a piece of advice: rest your elbow on the table when signing your books your arm won’t get so fatigued. Your recipes are amazing! My favorite is your Mac and cheese. Better than Epicurious!
The mac n cheese is a real favorite here as well – everyone loves it and one of my grandson’s friends told him I should be on TV to demonstrate the recipe!!
Nagi, reading your post brought me to tears. I can hear the gratitude in your words and am really happy for your success. You are terrific and I appreciate all your hard work!
As a long time follower, I am so glad for you. Please continue all your excellent work. Patiently waiting for my copy here in small town Ontario, Canada.
Congratulations Nagi!!! Very well deserved and I am so excited for you. I pre-ordered ages ago it seems, and I can’t wait to receive your famous cookbook!!
Loving all this! Please include a stop in California if you do a US tour!! I did my pre orders weeks ago! can’t wait
We are so proud of you and for you Nagi. If you do not know why you have the biggest selling cookbook, I can tell you why. You were smart enough to make sure all the recipes that you shared with us on line were the best of the best. We know your only going to offer your best recipes, We know “Dinner” will be our only cookbook where every recipe will be used and loved! I rate you and Dozer 5 stars all the way. Best wishes from the Moore family.
Nagi, you and Dozer bring fun wherever you go! I pre ordered your book in SoCal and can’t wait to get it. I have Recipe Tin Eats Board on Pinterest and it’s my favorite. Continued success to you and your furry sidekick.
when I first came across one of your recipes I’m not sure how many years ago ? But I was hooked, even before I made the dish. Your layout, tips and videos are just what I need. I Love cooking and entertaining, but I deal with a lot of medical crap which effects my energy, cognitive, and pain etc… Thank you for being a cool person. I can always nail any recipe that I make of yours. I can understand things way easier because of your videos and tips, and you are so friendly to watch. You deserve all your achievements. Continue to Enjoy Life.
Fan Melissa from Windsor, Ont, Canada
Can’t wait fo my book to get here in Atlanta, Georgia, USA so I can see the VIDEOS!!!!
Congratulations Nagi, you should be so proud of yourself. I can honestly say I use your recipes several times a month and none of them have let me down yet. My only issue is, when is the book coming to the UK?!
Congratulations Nagi and Dozer, well deserved.
Greetings from Toronto, Canada.
I actually cried when I read/saw all this. So VERY happy for you… and Dozier. My family (and I) absolutely love your recipes!!
Nagi our dinner table can never be the same without you and Dozer the mmmh and OMW this is so darn delicious are words of how we realy enjoy your recipes Thank you for all your thoughts and hard work that goes into your recipes
I’m so excited for you and Dozer. Enjoy, you’ve earned it!
Is the first Photo in a Church ???? glad to see book is doing well !! I have to stay with the email recipes and look forward to more !!
Congratulations. I’m 71 and thought I had every recipe I ever needed in my head passed down through the generations. Then I found your weekly recipes. They are fantastic. Can’t wait for my pre-ordered copy to arrive from Amazon in Canada.
Congratulation Nagi and Dozer you deserve all these blessings. I wish you continue success!