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.
Many many thanks Nagi💞My 3 daughters and I use your recipes and have never had a fail!! XXX
Lisa from London LOVES you Nagi! I share you with so many of my friends and clients. Even though I am a jewellery designer, I’m also a creative in the kitchen – and YOU inspire me! There is nothing like cooking, entertaining and sharing. Life affirming! Can’t wait for your book to hit our shelves and please come to London! We’d love to invite you for dinner 🥘
You deserve every success Nagi, I’m so happy for you! One of the things I love most about your work is how your personality shines through. You are a wonderful person and I love getting the (one-sided) opportunity to get to know you. Keep doing what you’re doing x
Woohoo! That is so awesome! Having been cooking along to your blog for the last seven years, I do feel like I have a vested interest in your success. 🤣 when your cookbook arrived my husband said ‘I’ve never seen you so excited about a delivery before!!’. And he’s right.
Enjoy it all. Thanks so much for bringing a little joy and pleasure into our lives with your recipes and generosity of spirit.
Waiting patiently for the U.K. release over here!!
I recommend your recipes to everyone, there’s never a recipe that fails me. My absolute go to. You’re incredible and deserve all the success xx
I am so so so happy for you & Dozer! And I am so tickled by your mum , as always!! Congrats, from a big fan! I feel like I’ve seen you grow (no, not your head!) all these years! You deserve all the attention and fame! And I know you will not forget us 😃!
Olá Magi,
Parabéns pelo sucesso tão merecido!!
Espero ter a oportunidade de adquirir o meu exemplar em português… Aguardo por isso a ciosamente!
Sua seguidora brasileira, mais apaixonada!!!!
Um grande abraço!
Great video. Looked like you were really enjoying yourself. When will the book be available in the UK please. And well done!!!
Your last post to the mailing list was particularly wonderful!Thank you for sharing your cookbook reception and tour….much deserved for Dozer and you. ( I preordered mine👏🏻👏🏻) Your mothers comment made me smile. When I completed my graduate education, I showed my mother my dissertation, which I dedicated to her. She held the bound dissertation, looked at it with a puzzled expression, and set it aside. I then realized that she had no idea what a graduate education or dissertation was or meant. And thats ok because her young adult world expected children to sometimes quit high school and work to help support the family.
You dear darling pair, congratulations on your well deserved success. Make sure you take time to step back and wallow in your infamy🤩🥳. You have given a lot of people a lot of joy.
Nagi. You deserve it all!
Honestly you saved my butt for so long when I had to cook for a large family. I’m enjoying your book and I loved meeting you at Dymocks!
Well done Nagi and Dozer
Congratulations Nagi. We have been following you here in the UK and will patiently await the arrival of Dinner. I check your online recipes daily for dinner inspo and there’s not a recipe I don’t like! You are amazing
Totally agree. I. too, have followed Nagi’s progress ,many fantastic and trusted recipes and , of course, the famous Dozer. She deserves all the success she is currently enjoying. Long may it last
Congratulations – you deserve every moment of this! Can’t wait to meet you at Chermside.
Nagi you are a star.l preordered your cookbook DINNER.I have cooked 8different dishes from your book for family and friends and all have been a hit .😋
You deserve all the accolades Nagi! Your recipes, videos and book are amazing and have truly made me a much better home cook. Thank you!
Nagi, you are truly a Star. Your online recipes are an inspiration for everyday dinner ideas
As so pleased for you, Nagi. You worked hard, you deserve this! I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years, printing off recipes and trying them. My husband is actually the cook of the family – he liked the recipes of yours that I made so I have bought him your Dinner recipe book as a surprise for Christmas. Oh boy, I’m looking forward to eats next year!! LOL xx
Congrats 🎉 well deserved. Best thing about your food is it tastes great! Always. It’s hard to mess it up, thank you!! Best thing about your recipes, well they are easy. And when you say prep time is… it’s about right! Unlike other 30min meals 🙄, etc! best thing about your website, super easy to search by all sorts of things, be it cuisine, leftovers in the fridge, a craving, whatever… I’m getting your book just because you have earned the payback for making my food world better. Thanks Nagi xx
Congratulations Nagi, love your recipes and all your hard work is paying off, so pleased for you!
You go girl!!! Nagi you keep bringing tears of joy to my eyes, I feel like a proud Mum everytime I see your smiling face and your love for your loyal Dozer. Congratulations you deserve it.