Eat My Words – Gourmet Chick

The Gourmet Chick AKA Cara Waters is an Aussie girl who has been blogging about food in London for the last few years. She has been published in The Age, The Sunday Times, The Financial Times and Time Out and is very well regarded amongst the on-line food scene! We have been following her reviews for years and found them to be very accurate and quite handy when picking somewhere in the city to eat! She has recently moved back to Melbourne but we caught up with her to find out some of the things she loves in London and about being a food writer!
You can find Cara on facebook here and twitter @carawaters her blog is www.gourmet-chick.com
What got you into food writing?
I have always loved food and writing so the two were a natural combination. I started out writing about food and blogging when I was working as a lawyer but enjoyed it so much that now I work full time as a journalist.
How do you choose a restaurant to review?
I review restaurants that I want to eat at. That probably means my reviews are somewhat skewed in favour of good meals but I am not about to go and spend my hard earned cash eating at a restaurant I can already tell I will not like. I mainly find out about restaurants through recommendations from friends, other blogs and Twitter.
Who is your current favourite chef?
I love Yottam Ottolenghi’s food. I really miss living around the corner from his cafe but comfort myself by whipping up many meals from the two Ottolenghi cook books.
Most underrated Local (either in London or Melbourne!) Restaurant? (and maybe most overrated!)
My new discovery in Melbourne is The Commoner restaurant. I was totally blown away by it and I don’t think it has got the critical acclaim it deserves. In London I loved Vinoteca for great food and wine in a fuss free environment.
How has blogging in general changed your outlook on food/restaurants?
I think I am more adventurous now than when I started as my knowledge of food and different cuisines has increased.
What’s the biggest mistake a restaurant can make in your opinion?
Trying to do cover off a whole heap of different cuisines and styles rather than just doing one cuisine or one type of food really well.
What do you think the London/Melbourne food scene is missing?
Melbourne needs more London pubs and London needs more Melbourne style brunches.
Who’s your favourite food writer/critic?
Marina O’Loughlin in the Metro. Hands down my favourite. I secretly fantasise about meeting her one day and how we would be instant best friends.
and……
What has been your all-time favourite restaurant experience to date?
I had lunch for my 30th birthday with a group of friends at a restaurant on an island in the middle of Lake Como in Italy. The menu hasn’t changed there for about 30 years, they just keep on bringing you course after course finishing with a wheel of cheese. Friends, Italian food, wine and sunshine… meals don’t get much better.
Thanks so much!
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