Hi, I'm Amanda.
I'm a scientist who fell in love with a bloke who dreamed of farm life. I love green grass, full dams, free-range eggs, salted butter and the joy that sharing good food brings.
This blog, Cooker and a Looker is dedicated to serving everyday real food for real people: fresh, easy recipe ideas for nourishing families and effortlessly entertaining friends.
Writing this blog is the very best fun. Here's a little glimpse into the journey.....
The Cooker and a Looker Story
2007
the beginning
Bearhands and I marry, during his wedding speech my new husband joked that as a young boy his footy coach had told him “You can either get a cooker or a looker, you can’t have both”. Then declared his coach wrong and pronounced me "a cooker and a looker."
2008
the Big Sister arrives
Amid much excitement and fan-fare, the Big Sister arrives and Bearhands and I attempt to figure out this parenting thing.
2011
the Little Sister arrives
in her own sweet time, of course! Bearhands and I still haven't mastered the parenting thing, but we muddle on.
my brother David is killed
My brother David is killed in an aircraft accident and life is thrown off its axis.
2012
Bearhands suggests I focus on food
To encourage me to find a path out of my sorrow, Bearhands issues me a series of challenges. I am to a) enter my pickles in the Ekka, b) audition for a reality TV cooking show and c) start a food blog. As I stare at the blinking cursor on my…
Lady Flo makes us pumpkin scones
Lady Flo makes us pumpkin scones at her home in Kingaroy. By some happy accident, google finds her recipe. People read the blog.
the Good Food and Wine Festival
I find myself on the Chopping Block as part of a Gourmet Garden blog competition. My cheer squad are there to watch my crispy skin salmon with wasabi butter win me a trip to Noosa!
2013
I write a letter to my girls about organ donation
A letter I write to my girls about organ donation is somehow picked up by DonateLife during DonateLife week. I emerge from Kindy pick up to discover my phone blowing up with notifications. Later Filmlife create a billboard with my words.
Kidspot's Top 100 bloggers
Cooker and a Looker is included in Kidspot's top 25 food blogs for 2013. I am flawed floored.
Fresh on Sundays 4BC
I can hardly believe I'm invited to share the airwaves with the Fresh on Sundays 4BC crew. Over a series of weeks, Kerry, Michelle, Dominique and I talk about baking, pickles, brownies and bringing back the good old fashioned recipes.
2014
toad in the hole
I publish a recipe for a childhood favourite - toad in the hole. It stirs nostalgia in my readers. They make it in droves and send me photos of their wonderful, comfort-food creations.
dishing the dirt
I interview local farmers, in a series of interviews, learning more about the growing process and how to get the best from the produce they grow.
Kidspot's Top 100 bloggers
Cooker and a Looker is named among Kidspot's top 100 bloggers for a second time.
three simple bring-a-plate Christmas ideas for kids
Inspired by the craziness of pre-Christmas catchups/breakups, I share some bring-a-plate ideas. They go a bit viral.
2015
Australia Day Pavlova
I get the idea to shape a pavlova like Australia for Australia Day and it captures the imagination of the nation. My site nearly melts (and not only because of the summer heat!)
the good, the yum and the ugly
Worried that in the world of instagram influencers and flat lays, the importance of how the food tastes has been eclipsed by how the food looks; I embark on a campaign to bring back really tasty food that is, well, a bit ugly.
Cooker and a Looker is named among Kidspot's blogger alumni
prize winning pickles
My pickles win the blue ribbon at the Ekka for a second year; ticking off another of Bearhand's challenges from 2012.
Inspired's Top 100 Food Blogs
Cooker and a Looker is named among Inspired's Top 100 Food Bloggers worldwide.
2016
Girls holding Fish
Inspired by a meme I'd seen around the traps, I put together a video of photos my readers have sent me of them holding fish.
Barkley Womens Day
I travel to the the Barkley Homestead with some blogging friends to visit Miss Chardy and attend the Barkley Womens Day. No one is more surprised than me when I find myself on the panel at the last moment.
BUPA Blog Awards finalist
Cooker and a Looker is a finalist in the families category of the BUPA Blog Awards.
2017
the Cookbook is Published
Surrounded by the family and friends that have shared the journey with me, Cooker and a Looker - Australian home cooking served with a side of farm life is launched in Brisbane.
I really love to hear from readers, so if you have a cooking question or a recipe request, please get in touch.
Happy cooking!
Amanda