About Susan

Arriving rather late into the blogging game (I claim web-unsavviness as my excuse, not a lack of opinions), I was confronted with the question, does the world really need another blogger?  In particular, does the world really need another food blogger?  In sober honesty, most people would say “no,” but I think the answer is YES.  Specifically, the world needs ME.

Here’s the thing: I am passionate (some might say obsessed) about food, I am fussy and a bit political about my ingredients, and I know more about provenance and cooking and eating than the average bear.  However, I’m usually broke, so on a budget.  There simply are not enough blogs for people like me, who crave to eat well, but need to eat cheaply. I eat (and drink) out when I can afford it (and sometimes when I can’t), but I also cook (well), and want to share my food. Hopefully this happy gluttonous mix appeals to you.

Most of the recipes on my blog are targeted at busy people who (like me) love good food, love to cook, and love bold and unusual flavor combinations without much eye towards food trends, but may not have the time to plan and execute highly elaborate, intricate dishes.

I spent three and a half years eating my way through London’s restaurants, markets, falafel joints, and food stalls, and I travel as much as I can, and this blog features some of my favorite (and least favorite) experiences.  Most of the time, however, I cook.  I’m currently in beautiful Seattle (with a return to London on the horizon), so over the next few months expect an emphasis on fresh seafood and local ingredients.

Like my blog but too shy to comment? Please send an email (I always write back) to skimwilk (at) yahoo (dot) com.

So cheers!  Let’s eat.

Susan

49 thoughts on “About Susan”

  1. I aspire for you to run your own restaurant/bar in the near future too! I’d definitely eat and drink there and I would, undoubtedly, be in excellent company. While I’d prefer your actual food, cocktails and company, I’ll enjoy this substitute in the interim. xoxo

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  3. great to have found your blog! i’m a student living in a tiny flat in london and surviving on a really tiny budget, so it’s always a challenge to eat well and eat good food- the only solution is to cook myself, hence my foray into the kitchen! it’s nice finding a blogger who’s just as broke and passionate about food (:

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    • I wholeheartedly agree! I have been trying to write the Masterchef post for months now. *Gulps.* It’s got a title and a story line, but it’s a really hard one to write! I’m looking forward to more great food from Gourmandistan.

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  11. Hi Susan

    thank you so much for stopping by my place earlier and suscribing: It’s greatly appreciated!

    Usually this would be the place where I say something nice, but uncommitel about your blog and exict with a cordial “hope to see you around”, but seeing as I really like your place and completely agree that the world needs another picky cook on a budget (well at least I do), I can now say: “You Miss have got a new suscriber”

    🙂 K.

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  12. Hi Susan,
    Your writing is very interesting..and so are the recipes. I am going to com back often.
    Thanks for stopping by mine and the lovely comments!!

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    • Thanks so much for the nomination! I’m so touched and flattered by the nice things you wrote about me! (Now I just have to get around to doing my own Liebster awards…) 🙂

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  15. Hi ,susuan:
    i was impressed by your good article and the excellent cooking skills ,i like your blog ,acturally i like cooking food too,i do hope can learn more with you ,keep in touch.

    Best regards
    David

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  17. Hello, Susan. Just stopping by to say thinks for visiting my blog today. I took a short run around your block and, liking what I’ve seen so far, I hit the “Follow” button. So, you”ll be seeing more of me around. 🙂

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    • Do you know, I’ve read your comments on the Kale Chronicles for a little while now but today was the first time I dropped by. I feel like an idiot! I’ve been missing out! I look forward to hearing from you and to seeing more wonderful posts.

      Susan

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  18. Thanks Susan for stopping by my blog. I just briefly checked your blog and it’s amazing. You seem really talented and your food ethics are very similar to mine; eat well and cheaply, share with nice wine. Food brings people together and we talk, laugh, and evolve. Cheers to simple delicious food and life. Good job, I’m inspired!

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  22. Hi Susan….what a yummy treat to be a new reader of your blog. I too am passionate about local food, especially that of the greater Seattle area, and more widely the wines of Washington State. Call when you’re in Seattle and we’ll eat!
    Veronica’s Mum – Sharon

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    • Hi Sharon! Thank you so much for visiting my blog! Let me know if you cook any of my recipes. I’m looking forward to seeing you again and eating with you soon in the PNW.

      Hugs, Susan

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  24. Hi Susan!

    I’m Sue, and I’m from SlimKicker, a diet/fitness app and site. I bumped into your blog today and it captured my interest!

    I was wondering if we can do a giveaway for your blog readers?

    Our site basically turns people’s diet/fitness goals into a level up game with challenges such as quitting soda for a week. We’re looking for new challenge ideas, so was thinking of holding a contest where your readers leave a comment on a health challenge idea + sign up on our site

    We’ll pick our favorite challenge idea, use it on our site, and give the winner either a free digital health scale, slow cooker, or digital heart monitor. We’ve done many giveaways for bloggers in the past – you can google ‘SlimKicker giveaway’ to see. I also encourage you to sign up for our site to see what we’re about too 🙂

    Let me know if you’re interested! My email is sue.zheng (at) slimkicker.com

    Best,
    Sue

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  26. I keep reading your blog, this is incredible! Your section on restaurants reviews is impressive and something I’ve thought about doing at some point, but I’ve been to shy to go to a restaurant and snap photos of the dishes or talk to the staff… it requires social skills I might lack hahahah I gotta get over that. your blog is inspiring, thanks Susan!

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    • I’m so delighted you like it! Tell your daughter to email me if she wants budget London tips — there is so much that hasn’t made it to the blog.

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  30. Susan,

    I was checking my personal profile on Google and came across your recipe for mushroom barley soup. My Babcia made the same thing, but called it “pearl soup” because of the barley. For this reason all the grand kids eagerly at mushroom soup with barley (we were picky eaters). My comfort food is home made chicken soup with home made kluski. My Nana would make it whenever any one of the grand kids were sick. Sometimes we would even look up diseases in our mother’s nursing books and tell nana that one of us had this new disease. She would be over in about 3 hours with pressure cooker of chicken soup with big chunks of carrots and a huge bowl of kluski while one of us played sick. I was pretty sure back then that her soup could cure cancer.

    If you google yourself you will find your named double in Georgia. I grew up in New Jersey so I can relate to your comment about the cold New York winters.I will give your recipe a try.As a child I knew that Nana would not live forever so I made sure I worked with her a few times making kluski and pierogi. Her recipes contained instructions such as 4 handfuls of flour, pinch of salt. Even now my hands are half the size of hers so I would have been out of luck if I had not actually made these dishes under her supervision. Even now I do not have a written recipe, I just go by feel.

    Thanks for your recipe.
    Susan
    ,

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    • This is a wonderful comment, thank you so much, and a great story. I have the same issue with my mother’s recipes. When I ask her, she tells me she doesn’t know quantities, so I also do everything by feel and taste. I’ll be curious to hear how you like my krupnik. All feedback is welcome.

      Susan x

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