I am so so so (yes three times!) excited about today’s guest interview, because today we meet Diana Gale a.k.a. the Domestic Goddess Wannabe!

Not only does she have the best blog name ever, but she continually succeeds in tempting me (and lots of others!) with her mouthwateringly tasty Asian-inspired dishes and bakes (check out her chiffon cakes to see what I mean – nom nom nom!!).

So join me as we follow Diana along her food journey and discover what drove this inspirational foodie to create and develop Singapore’s most popular, and award-winning, food blog.

Name: Diana Gale

Home city: Singapore

Occupation: Blogger at The Domestic Goddess Wannabe.

What makes you different? I cook a variety of foods from a wide range of cuisines – and I love to bake!

What sparked your interest in cooking? When I was a child, the women in my family would all gather in the kitchen to cook for family get-togethers. Everything about the kitchen fascinated me. I loved watching my Mom and other relatives chop up meat and fish on the chopping board, add “stuff”, and magically conjure up a meal. My mom was, and still is, very supportive. From a very young age, she encouraged me in the kitchen and by the time I was 12 I could quite easily cook a meal, or bake a cake. This really set the foundation for my continued passion for food and cooking.

Why did you start your food blog? I love to experiment with foods from different countries. I also love to try out new cooking techniques. I realise that not everybody is as inquisitive and adventurous as I am in the kitchen and decided to simplify my recipes into concise and basic steps so that others (especially those with little or no kitchen experience) could also try these recipes at home. I truly believe that by simplifying the cooking process, and showing the process step-by-step, people will be more willing to cook a meal at home, which is much healthier than eating take-out food.

What is your proudest achievement so far? Winning the “Best Cooking Blog” award for 2014 & 2015, as well as the “Most Popular Cooking Blog 2015” in the Singapore Blog Awards.

What is the best aspect of your job? Getting to experiment with lots of different foods and recipes, and seeing the results of my efforts.

What is the worst aspect of your job? Believe it or not, peeling garlic and shallots. I really detest doing that.

Sweet or savory? Savory, any day!

What’s your favorite dish to cook? It all depends on my mood – sometimes I want to whip up a meal quickly, and at other times, I like to take my time, grinding my own spices to make a rempah for a curry.

What’s the best recipe you’ve ever made? Currently, I am totally mad about this Thai dish – Thai Ginger, Prawns and Glass Noodles (Goong Ob Woon Sen).  This is one of the most delicious dishes I have eaten this year!

What’s your guilty food pleasure? A good, bloody, rare steak.

Where do you get your inspiration from when creating a new recipe? Recipe books, other food blogs and talking to others (especially older ladies) to find out what they are cooking.

What food could you never live without? It has to be Chinese food, as it is the food I grew up eating. I have to have rice once a week, at least!!!

What piece of cooking equipment could you never live without? My spatula. I need it for both cooking and baking!

What’s your best cooking tip? Don’t be afraid to try something new – all recipes, even the most complicated, can be broken down into manageable chunks.

Where are your favorite places to eat? Places that serve great local food. In Singapore, that would mean a Tze Char (stir-fry) Stall and Hawker Centres. These are places where chefs really put their heart and soul into their cooking.

Who is your favorite chef? Wow, there are so many – Nigella Lawson, Annabel Langbein, Ina Garten, Mary Berry. I love them all!

What’s next for you? Cooking demos and classes, and maybe some appearances on cooking shows. Who knows? We shall see! 🙂

You can find Diana Gale’s recipe for Pork Belly Char Siu on the Arugula & Rocket blog!

If you’re inspired by Diana’s interview and want to know more about her food blog and browse her library full of delicious recipes, visit The Domestic Goddess Wannabe. For other enquiries, you can also email Diana directly at diana.ann.gale@gmail.com.