Christian Gott
website | instagram | facebook | email
Christian started his food blog initially as a way to relax and wind down after long days in cooking in professional kitchens. It has developed into him writing for Manner Magazine, FROST a UK based lifestyle magazine, the Real Food Festival cookbook and cookery demonstrations in Jersey at food festivals and for de Gruchy and Le Lievres.
“You have to be very patient, don't give up and keep knocking on doors."
Tell us about your path to setting up your business and what motivated you?
I always had twin passions for food and words, I'm lucky in my day job that I get to cook in kitchens around Jersey ( and Guernsey ) but food writing was the next step to combine my love for food and passing on that passion for what I get to do every day and for some of the wonderful produce and ingredients here in Jersey. It's a really good feeling to cook something and for someone to enjoy eating it, but to teach that person to cook it themselves is so much more satisfying.
How do you work and what is a typical day like for you?
The hardest part is making sure I sit down and write, I have a full time job and a young family which can both be very demanding, so my routine usually involves sitting at the dinner table and writing and catching up with any correspondence in the evenings when everyone else is relaxing. Being creative and writing clearly and concisely is definitely hard work, even though I spend days thinking about food and recipes, so often it is more about structuring my thoughts and explaining about ingredients and how to cook a dish. Planning ahead is essential but can often lead to some weird meals for my family like Stir-fry Brussel Sprouts or Christmas Turkey Burgers in August.
What are the best parts about your business?
People cooking the dishes I've written about and taking time to pass on comments good or bad, and of course, getting to eat and drink some amazing produce from Jersey, the seafood, the vegetables, the cider and much, much more.
What has been your greatest struggle as a business owner so far?
Writing and in particular writing about food is a very difficult medium to break into, it is a very Catch-22 profession, if you want to write for a paper or magazine they want to see examples of your published work. You have to be very patient, don't give up and keep knocking on doors. The explosion in media outlets is an opportunity but there are lots and lots of talented, knowledgeable writers in the marketplace.
What has been your biggest a-ha moment so far?
Realising you cannot write about everything and finding a format and style I was comfortable with. I try to inform and inspire without preaching and overloading with information and remember to try to promote what an amazing island we live on for food and drink.
Do you have any advice for other small business owners?
Try to have a sense of humour and see every setback as a learning experience
What currently inspires you?
The talent Jersey has to offer and not just the outstanding farmers, fishermen, food and drink producers. Photographers like Holly Louise Smith and writers like Laura Morel made me think that I should keep trying and follow my long held ambition and that it is possible in Jersey. The goal is one day to write and collate a beautiful Jersey recipe book with all of the producers and great chefs on the island.
You can contact and find me here