Grow, Cook, Eat!

It's out! It's out! It's out!!! Before I even go on, I'd like to say first, please pardon my excitement and overuse of exclamation marks that you'll see appear in this post. I am just way too excited, I cannot absolutely contain it! So hooooray! For once, exclamation marks will be used, over-used, but who cares! I illustrated a cookbook! And that my friends, deserves a gazillion bazillion exclamation marks!

So, back down to earth, I worked hard through last December and January this year for a super top secret project - Illustrations for a cookbook! I was approached by the lovely people from Murdoch Books late last September, or maybe it was October. I nearly fainted when I received the email asking if I was keen to illustrate a cookbook. For those of you who know me, I've always dreamt of illustrating a cookbook. It's pretty much my #1 career goal in terms of being an illustrator. So without a doubt, I agreed and before I knew it, I was handed a big chunky brief and the once in a lifetime opportunity to illustrate a cookbook for the super cute Fiona Inglis!

I first knew about Fiona, while watching her on Masterchef Season 2. Back then, she was already one of my favourites. A teacher, an 'artist', I admired her for having the passion to teach kiddies her craft. Fast forward years later, I've now collaborated with Fiona and the end result, we have a cute cookbook for kiddos! I'd happily go on and on and on about how easy the recipes in Fiona's book are. How cute the photos are, the wonderful job the book designer did, placing all my illustrations and making everything come together... the list goes on! But yes, I should save the best bits for you to discover in person. I've only posted several images, the cookbook comes with so many more great recipes and more illustrations dotted all over!

I want to say a huge thank you to Murdoch and Fiona for picking me(of all people!), to Jeremy of Jacky Winter for all the great advice, to my parents, little sister, for going about hearing me whine and see me in 100% full-blown panic mode while getting 100 over illustrations ready for scanning, for Kenneth and his life-saving photoshop advice, for Darren cause he always keeps me calm, to all my friends and you guys for always believing in me and of course, thank you God for this wonderful opportunity. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

So, if you're after easy peasy recipes, ones that are great not only for kiddos but also for adults, head on down to your nearest bookstore to grab yourself a copy of Grow, Cook, Eat! I spotted copies at Myer, Bourke Street the other day. I had to pinch myself and check if I was dreaming. A cookbook! A real, touchable, feel-able, hold-able, smell-able cookbook!!! I still can't quite believe it myself! Is this even real?! Or am I dreaming???!!!!