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
Really enjoyed your Life of Dozer article .. It gave me a good laugh .
What a fantastic article! Love seeing Dozer and what he’s getting up to lol
I loved reading Dozer’s interview!
Dozer!, I love love your article. In Dogue magazine! It made me laugh out loud. You have the talent Dozer. Hope you do well in this new year. Keep us posted. Love you Dozer!
Bonnie from MARKLEEVILLE, CA. p.s. love you also. Nagi
You are adorable, Dozer!
Love to see pictures and stories of Dozer…I made your Chow Mein Ramen Noodles and it was absolutely delicious!! We loved it! Instead of using instant noodles I used chinese noodles, replaced the beansprouts with carrots, snap peas, red peppers inion and zucchini that I had along with replacing the oyster sauce with Hoisen Sauce and Mirin that I also had.
I was SOOO good! I will surely make this again! This is a keeper…thank you…
Oh my, what a wonderful interview. After reading the full interview, I love Dozer more which I didn’t think was possible. I LOVE DOZER xoxoxoxo and Nagi too
Dozer’s interview was hilarious. He really has a great job (and a great life). We miss our little taster tester. Roast chicken was one of her faves too!
Your site is my favourite for new recipes to try. While, like most capable cooks, I often tweek them a bit to suit my taste but mostly they are perfect just the way they are. I wish I had your photography skills though. My delicious meals never look good in the photo 🙁
Who cares what they look like. I’m sure they are delicious. Keep cooking.
I really appreciated Dozer sharing some insights into his life. I have a Labrador named Nemo that is my dedicated recipe tester. When I’m cooking he makes sure to tap my leg with his paw so I don’t forget he’s there to help! His favorite recipe so far from recipetineats is the crock pot turkey breast. He was amazed at how tender and juicy it was. He looks forward to trying more recipes from recipetineats soon!
Love this interview! Dozer always puts a smile on my face 🙂
This is gorgeous. Thanks for the laugh, Nagi. xo
Loved the interview!! Happy New Year and good wishes to you and Dozer!!
I truly enjoy your recipes and how you present them and they are delicious!
Thanks so much Teresa, that’s great to hear! N x
What a delightful interview!!
Love you both! You’re amazing Nagi! Xx
Amazing Dozer. I laughed and laughed. Great interview. Warm wishes for a wonderful year to both of you Nagi and Dozer. Thank you for the good laugh.
Thanks so much Nany 🙂 N x
HaPpY NeW YeAr to you and Dozer too! Thank you for sharing your cooking skills, beautiful photography and wonderful sense of humour with us. You really are my favorite “go-to” site for recipes!
A very Happy New Year to you and Dozer too, Nagi. What a tonic your post always is, I look forward to it so much.
The Dozer interview was such fun what a fabulous team you both make.
I’ve tried many of your recipes with such success, they are so easy to follow – particularly with the video. I think hubby is falling for you (way to a man’s heart and all that!), he’s never had such lovely meals.
If he can have a crush, so can I – mine is Dozer!
I hope 2021 is so much better than 2020 (can’t be any worse) for everyone. I’m sure we are on the up now.
Looking forward to more fab recipes and more of what Dozer is getting up to.
Thanks so much, Nagi. xx
Ah the cutest interview!! Bought a little tear to my eye. Thanks Nagi & Dozer – special dog and special lady!
Happy New Year to you and Dozer too, Nagi. Thank you for your commitment and unswerving loyalty to our tummies. Looking forward to more great recipes in 2021! xxx
I literally cried and laughed at the same time reading this! Oh my goodness I absolutely LOVED this post! THANK YOU for showing this part of you!!! Made my day! And I think our little Riley girl pup may have a crush now!!!!
He’s got you wrapped around his little dew claw!
100% Phil!! N x