In this new series, we are thrilled to help you get to know, in a much deeper way, a curator on Flipboard. Each person we spotlight is a model member of a community on Flipboard. Look for a new post every Wednesday, and please give each featured curator a follow and a high-five! Now let’s get to it.
Hello! Who are you?
Hi! My name is Jay Wadams, and I’m the food blogger, recipe creator and photographer at daysofjay.com. I am food and nutrition obsessed and spend most of my days in my kitchen cooking, testing and photographing recipes. I split my year between Germany, Italy and Australia, so I get lots of cooking inspiration in each country.
I grew up in a big family with loads of kids, so I understand how challenging it can be to get tasty, nutritious, budget-friendly meals on the table every day. That’s why I’m so passionate about sharing easy recipes that get people excited about cooking (and eating!) at home.
I love cooking because there is always something new and exciting to learn or a different technique to master. At the moment I’m mega excited as I’m going to be studying gastronomy and nutrition at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in London next year, which feels like a dream come true.
That’s amazing! Since you’re heading off to cooking school, we’re dying to know: What are your must-haves in the kitchen?
I am never without a sharp knife and a knife sharpener. I even travel with them because there’s nothing worse than trying to prepare food with a blunt knife. I love my Microplane grater for zesting (and, pro tip here, grating frozen ginger). I also have a Bosch MUM kitchen machine which has all sorts of amazing attachments — in fact, I love it so much that I have three of the same machine in different kitchens!
What’s your favorite cookbook right now? (And all time favorite too!)
This is such a hard question! I love cookbooks and have a HUGE collection (including my own!). Right now I’m reading Notes From a Small Kitchen Island, which is a wonderfully British cookbook by Debora Robertson. It’s full of terrific writing as well as interesting recipes.
My all-time favorite would have to be a cookbook called Simple Pleasures by fellow New Zealander (and living legend) Annabel Langbein. She is one of New Zealand’s most famous cooks, and I think I’ve cooked nearly every recipe in her cookbook!
What’s one recipe you think everyone should know and try?
I think everybody needs an emergency recipe, something tasty that you can just whip up that you know everyone will enjoy. For me, that is definitely my Honey and Ginger Chicken Stir Fry. This dish is super quick and easy, has a really nice balance of sweet and sour and everybody loves it. I’ve even made a video so you can see how quick and easy it is. Serve with my never-fail fluffy rice and dinner is sorted.
Yum. Now tell us: what do you curate on Flipboard and why?
Food! I first started using Flipboard way back in 2011 when I got my very first iPad and was instantly hooked. I’m a visual person, so using Flipboard really appeals to me. It is such an amazing source of ever-changing inspiration, presented beautifully. I curate recipes from my own blog, as well as interesting food-related articles from around the web.
What are your tips for other foodies on Flipboard?
Firstly, engage with other foodies! Flipboard is so much more than just content, there’s a whole community of like-minded people out there who want to engage with you. Comment, ask questions or even challenge what people are posting. Sharing and curating are only the very start.
Obviously, if you’re not following Flipboard Foodies, you should! It’s a great place to start as there is so much inspiration from some really cool curators. I also love to follow food Topics like Food Science or Comfort Food so I can read about really specific things I’m interested in.
Finally, always make sure to use a great, mouthwatering image to catch the eye!
— Mia Quagliarello, head of creator community and newsletters, is part of The Photography Exchange
Don’t forget to show Jay some love by following him on Flipboard: https://flipboard.com/@DaysofJay. We’ve also packaged this interview with all the links he’s recommended in this Storyboard at Flipboard Foodies. See you next week!