Grilling Revelations over the Meme Virus

Computer: We have a problem. I detect a "meme" virus. Do you wish to exterminate?

Noodle: Just give me a bit more information.

Computer: The most popular reference gives "...wars and rumours of wars ...zip...zip... and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes....". Looks like we are doomed unless we exterminate the virus. Press OK to confirm.

Noodle: Hold on, perform another search, just a bit broader.

Computer: Still no go. "...the sign of the beast ...zip...zip... six, six, six ...". That's the end of Revelations. Please confirm immediate deletion.

Noodle: Come on, it must have been 2 am when that programme code was written. Try another search on food bloggers like Anthony of Spiceblog, or anyone else who behaves like Patrick Collins on "My Restaurant Rules".

Computer: We hit paydirt. This meme virus "The Cook Next Door" is started by Nicky of delicious:days. It is about getting to know the cook behind a food blog. Destructive power high. Privacy Intrusion Factor extremely high. Spreadibility extremely high. Categorised unsolicited chain email. Flash, Flash, EXTERMINATE NOW, flash, flash...

Noodle: Hmmm. Just need a bit more code to block off those memes. Looks like just this once, we let this through. Keep logging those IP addresses.

Computer: No problems.

Noodle: Who would want to know the cook in an electronic identity?? The world must be crazy. Computer, generate some pseudo information.

Computer: Whiz, grunt, rumble, silence.... We have a story to tell. Press enter to display.

What is your first memory of baking/cooking on your own?
An extravagant bread and dripping rendition with a sprinkle of very expensive sugar.



Who had the most influence on your cooking?
The food stylists and photographers behind Donna Hay's publications, and Michael Freeman the photographer himself.

Do you have an old photo as evidence of an early exposure to the culinary world and would you like to share it?
Yes. It is obvious from the mould on the bread that it is extremely old. No one in their right mind shares valuable rations even if it is stale bread! Call it post war frugality or character building for the future generations if you like.



Mageiricophobia - do you suffer from any cooking phobia, a dish that makes your palms sweat?
Crab omelette, made with hundreds of live, freshly hatched baby crabs. No chance of photography, else the crabs crawl out before the egg sets.

What would be your most valued or used kitchen gadgets and/or what was the biggest let down?
Most Valued: Non-stick baking paper for "fusion" attempts, as in difFUSION of light for photography.



Biggest Let Down: Electronic camera flashlight. The one thing that ruins a really "flash" dinner.



Name some funny or weird food combinations/dishes you really like - and probably no one else!
Hot food made to look steamy using dry ice.

What are the three eatables or dishes you simply don't want to live without?
Aspirin, adrenaline, and vegemite in the first aid kit.

Your favourite ice-cream?
Savoury Wasabi Spinach Ice Cream, in a fusion ensemble. Great in the middle of the Oz winter for photography.




You will probably never eat?
Expensive signature dishes like Tetsuya's confit ocean trout, and Neil Perry's slow cooked aged beef rib.

Your own signature dish?
Savoury Wasabi Spinach Ice Cream




Smoked Kangaroo Fillet


Three people to infect?
PERMISSION DENIED

Noodle: Sounds credible. Good job computer. Let's get this published.