Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
drink time
This Irish cook has been mixing it up 'like a pro' as part of the Jamie Oliver empire
Cold brew coffee made with kitchen paper, anyone? How about a knockout G&T?
YOU MAY WELL recognise Susan Jane White.
Perhaps her cookbook is propped up on a shelf somewhere, next to your hob. You may be familiar with her blog, or perhaps her face rings a bell from the time she dropped by TheJournal.ie‘s offices to give us some advice for Valentine’s Day dinners…
Well, for the last while the food writer and nutritional cook has been winning over new fans as part of Jamie Oliver’s Youtube empire.
The ubiquitous cockney chef – if you haven’t heard – has between 7 and 8 million unique viewers each month on his FoodTube channel.
In an interview with TheGuardian recently, he explained that he viewed the online venture as a place to “bring on new talent”.
He added:
There is a real disconnect between what the public want and what broadcasters traditionally want. That is a new opportunity for digital to actually do something pioneering.
For her part, White says she was spotted on Irish chef Donal Skehan’s channel, making raw chocolate fudge.
“Donal and Jamie Oliver are colleagues,” she explains.
The truth is, Donal makes anyone look like a pro so I’m a bit sheepish about it all. He probably had more to do with it than I did!
She’s fronted a number of episodes on Oliver’s dedicated drinks channel (Drinkstube, naturally) – educating viewers on, for instance, “how to make a proper G&T”, how to “cold brew coffee using kitchen paper” and “the secret to iced tea”.
“I’m specialising in healthy mocktails and slushies, that sort of thing. The ‘Health Geek’.”
How’s she getting on?
Jamie’s team, she says are “total pros”.
“Jaw-droppingly talented,” in fact.
I’ve been fairly nervous and said some monumentally dorky things. I also have a ridiculous laugh that sounds like a hungry piglet scavenging for leftovers. And a rather deep voice for a female.
“Aside from that, I’m having industrial amounts of fun. I have to say it’s definitely been the highlight of my career.”
Note: Susan Jane’s blog can be viewed here – and here are some details about her book.
have your say