Media Project: Nadiya Hussain

In this post I will explore work of Nadiya Hussain I have chosen while doing my research as she also inspired me to create my own cookbook. Nadiya Hussain - born 1984, is a British television chef, author and television presenter. She became famous after winning "The Great British Bake Off" in 2015. She has contracts with the BBC for documentary "The Chronicles of Nadiya" and TV cookery series. Nadiya, who was born in Luton to British Bangladeshi parents, currently lives with her husband, Abdal, and their three children in Milton Keynes. For her contributions to television and the culinary arts, she was given an MBE.

                                                          Nadiya Hussain - British chef

I will be looking at some piece of her work, she wrote 5 books already and first cookbook I will be looking at is called "Nadiya Bakes", published in 2020. The reason I will be looking at this book is to get inspiration, knowledge and also looking how the the recipes are constructed and getting inspiration with images. 

   Nadiya Bakes, 2021

First I would like to look at the cover page. Here she is using photograph of herself, she is smiling and looks happy, that means baking makes her happy and either shall we. She is holding kitchen objects like bowl and whisk and she is ready to bake. On the right side there are ready baked cake and dessert.  I can see natural and pastel colors - mint and pink  which create this image 'sweet'. This is what we call 'sugary palette' Also we have information in the circle about what we can find inside the book.  In my opinion all of these colors working well together and make this cover beautiful. 

The book starts with two pages with names of the authors of the book. Natural background on the image. 

 Then we have page with contents and also introduction, name of the chapter and also list of recipes. 

Then we have list of recipes divided by sections, depending of what kind of cooking is that for example: tarts & pies, desserts. At the end there are thanks and index. 

On the next page there is photo of the author and information about the author. Then she describes her life with cooking, it's a kind of journal, as we can read in her book: "baking has become such a massive part of who I am that there is no denying it. I live it, I breathe it, I whisk, stir, measure and bake it! For goodness’ sake, I dream about it! I really do." (Nadiya Hussain, 2020). 

      "Nadiya Bakes" - images

Now I would like to look at her recipes. This is her first recipe in the book:

On the left side there is preparation information such as time, servings and storage. The list of ingredients are divided for two, one for the cake and other on for the topping. Recipe start with family/historical background of the author and recipe and this is presented with color font.  Then we follow the recipe step by step (five sections, not very long).  It includes with preparation of the oven, what we need for cook and what to do with ingredients. The next page is a picture of ready cake.  There are natural colors and background. Simple and beautiful.  

 MEDIA ASPECT

Another interesting aspect of looking at her profile and work is how the audience responses to her and her work. Hussain was asked how it felt to be expected to be a spokesperson of her community after her triumph on Bake Off during an interview with Radio Times magazine. She admitted that she didn't want to be identified by her heritage at first, but three years later, she recognizes the critical role she can play for a group of people who are underrepresented in the media. Hussain said: "I do identify as a Muslim and I do identify as a Bangladeshi girl, I identify as British, as well, and a woman and I’m a woman of color, and why am I ashamed of that? And I used to not want to talk about it. But that is me. But I understand the importance of being a brown, Muslim woman of faith who is in the public eye, because there aren’t that many of us. So I know that I’m representing a lot of groups and I know how important that is, especially for women.”(Hussain, 2018).  In my opinion the author's character and her books create a message to the world, no matter what color we are, which gender or where we come from, each of us can achieve success and just be as we are. 

From her piece of work came up to my mind idea of making photos including myself. I can show to the audience how I love cooking by expression on my face during stay in the kitchen. Also I have learned that colors we are using in our creations plays important role on how the audience will responding to it. Using colors we can address who we want to reach, for example children, women or men. I also think that with what we publish we can create a message to the world, I like that idea very much. I get the impression that people who are passionate about cooking are largely 'good' people and they wants to make the world a better place. Another things is that she is a real inspiration and motivation for other people, especially women, as she says: I’m never gonna put boundaries on myself ever again. I’m never gonna say I can’t do it. I’m never gonna say ‘maybe’. I’m never gonna say, ‘I don’t think I can.’ I can and I will. (Hussain, 2015). 

References

the Guardian. 2022. Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain: ‘I wasn’t thinking about representing Muslims, I was thinking about my bakes’. [online] Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/oct/12/bake-off-winner-nadiya-hussain-muslims-britain> [Accessed 30 April 2022].

the Guardian. 2022. 'I can and I will': the best acceptance speeches ever. [online] Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/oct/08/great-british-bake-off-nobel-prize-acceptance-speeches-nadiya-hussain> [Accessed 30 April 2022].

the Guardian. 2022. Nadiya Hussain’s cod and clementine recipe | A taste of home. [online] Available at: <https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/nov/04/nadiya-hussain-bake-off-interview-cod-clementine-curry-recipe?CMP=share_btn_tw> [Accessed 30 April 2022].

The Irish News. 2022. Nadiya Hussain says she now accepts she is a role model for Muslim women. [online] Available at: <https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/entertainment/2018/07/09/news/nadiya-hussain-says-she-now-accepts-she-is-a-role-model-for-muslim-women-1377978/> [Accessed 30 April 2022].

نور, م., 2022. Download book nadiya bakes PDF. [online] Noor-book.com. Available at: <https://www.noor-book.com/en/ebook-nadiya-bakes-pdf> [Accessed 30 April 2022].

Set essay: Analysing a Question Exercise

 

Today we have discussed the importance of correctly understanding set essay question. I have read the glossary with important definitions, then followed examples of other questions and then I did exercise about my Set Essay question. I think deeply about the question, considering its topic, focus and instruction.

Here I share the screen to the exercise and also I share the link:

Media Project: Culinary photography

KUKBUK.PL

Another inspiration for me while creating my own cookbook it is Polish website KUKBUK.pl. 

Website is created in form of a online magazine but also digital cookbook. It consist of beautiful design and of course fantastic recipes and professional images. Also it includes elements of traditions and culture. I would like to look here more at the design, layout and focus on images. 

ANALYZING IMAGES

Here is the first example of drink recipe - chocolate-orange latte. 

 

Picture here is beautifully designed. There is natural light. The drink is in the center of the image. On the foreground there are ingredients like coffee and orange. In the back there is something natural, it may be wood. In my opinion all colors works well together.  Even if colors are cool and raw, there is an orange which gives an accent to the image. In my work I should consider all the elements of the picture and it's composition. I could add ingredients and place them around. 

Another one drink recipe - pistachio coffee with rose water. 

Here the drink is a little bit on the left side. The image represents the rule of thirds. The drink is in focus here, and the background is blurred. Blurry backgrounds are often used in food photography. In the background I can see the decoration with nuts and a Christmas tree. Objects are related to the recipe because in it there is a cardamon, which makes the drink warm us in cold days like winter.  Moreover, coffee is inside the beautifully designed glass. I should consider also the dishes I will be use. 

Another example of image is here. 

Very interesting and great composition. I can see natural colors - blue and brown, woody. Here we have objects like plates, fork, glasses, fruits and nature. Then I can see the accent of color - raspberry. And of course there is a star - the cheesecake. The recipe is simple. 

FOOD COLOR

Color of food in image is very important. According to Color Matters (2022):"Color and the appeal of various foods is also closely related. Just the sight of food fires neurons in the hypothalamus. Subjects presented food to eat in the dark reported a critically missing element for enjoying any cuisine: the appearance of food. For the sighted, the eyes are the first place that must be convinced before a food is even tried." 

TEXTURES AND SHAPES

Then I found useful tips from culinary blogger about culinary photography and I will think about them doing my own food images. As Katie says: "The textures, colors and shapes in food can be so beautiful on their own. In those cases, I like to keep the backgrounds simple and neutral, and get up-close to the food so it steals the show. The trick here is not to get so close that you can’t tell what the food is—unless you’re going for a more Jackson Pollock-style image than food photo." Cookie+Kate Blog, (2022). 

ACTION SHOTS

This image is an example of action shot - action pictures bring photos to life and allow viewers to imagine themselves preparing or consuming the food. Shutter speed can be used to control the amount of blur in the motion, depending on the desired effect. If we want to catch a crystal-clear drop or pour, but we can also utilize blur to convey motion, as seen in the photographs above.

CAMERA ANGLES

Specific foods are better suited to certain angles. For example, photographing pizza from above (it will disappear if photographed from the side) and photographing a burger from the side makes more sense (so we can see all the layers, not just the top of the bun). However, it is good to consider image from different perspectives. 

COLOR PALLETTE

Also I can consider color palette for my cookbook, I can use Adobe Color and think about best colors. 

 

After looking at this beautiful pictures and tasty recipes I really consider my private culinary blog. I could connect my passion for food and writing, but also I like culinary photography and art. I could mix all of that together and it could be an good idea for my work in the future. I already wrote an article about food traditions and culinary heritage from my country and now I'm focusing on my own cookbook. I think I can follow my passion and continue it while I will be studying. Studying English language will be my base to know everything about the language and I could practice my writing skills during the study. While doing images to my cookbook I will consider elements such as light, colors and patterns. Also think about action shots, camera angles, layers and setting. I hope all of these elements will result as a beautiful piece of work. 

References

Burgar, A., 2022. How To Take The Perfect Action Shot In Food Photography - Use Your Noodles. [online] Use Your Noodles. Available at: <https://www.useyournoodles.eu/how-to-take-the-perfect-action-shot-in-food-photography/> [Accessed 22 April 2022].

Color.adobe.com. 2022. [online] Available at: <https://color.adobe.com/create/color-wheel> [Accessed 22 April 2022].

Colormatters.com. 2022. Color & Appetite Matters. [online] Available at: <https://www.colormatters.com/color-and-the-body/color-and-appetite-matters> [Accessed 22 April 2022].

Cookie and Kate. 2022. Food Photography Tips for Food Bloggers. [online] Available at: <https://cookieandkate.com/food-photography-tips-for-food-bloggers/> [Accessed 22 April 2022].

Cookie and Kate. 2022. How to Photograph Food. [online] Available at: <https://cookieandkate.com/how-to-photograph-food/> [Accessed 22 April 2022].

Cookie and Kate. 2022. How to Start a Food Blog: Step by Step. [online] Available at: <https://cookieandkate.com/how-to-start-a-food-blog/> [Accessed 22 April 2022].

FeltMagnet. 2022. How to Take a Photo With a Blurred Background. [online] Available at: <https://feltmagnet.com/photography/how-to-take-a-photo-with-a-blurred-background> [Accessed 22 April 2022].

Małe kulinaria. Fotografia kulinarna i przepisy. 2022. Fotografia kulinarna. Jak zrobić ładne zdjęcia jedzenia w 10 krokach. Poradnik na rok 2020. – Małe kulinaria. Fotografia kulinarna i przepisy.. [online] Available at: <https://malekulinaria.pl/fotografia-kulinarna-jak-zrobic-ladne-zdjecia-jedzenia-w-10-krokach-poradnik-na-rok-2020/> [Accessed 22 April 2022].

2022. Kawa pistacjowa z wodą różaną – PRZEPIS. [online] KUKBUK. Available at: <https://kukbuk.pl/przepisy/kawa-pistacjowa-z-woda-rozana/> [Accessed 22 April 2022].

Media Project: Further Research I

Today I will be looking at fantastic famous chef - Gordon Ramsay. Gordon Ramsay is a multi-Michelin-starred chef with an international reputation, has created  successful restaurants around the world, from the United Kingdom and France to Singapore and the United States. With shows like Kitchen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen, Hotel Hell, and MasterChef US, Gordon has also become a star of the small screen in the UK and globally. 

                                                         Gordon Ramsay - chef 

Gordon Ramsay, a British chef, was born in Scotland and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, where he initially hoped to be a professional player. Ramsay returned to college to pursue a course in hotel administration after an injury ended any ambitions of a good career on the pitch. He trained under some of the world's best chefs, including Albert Roux and Marco Pierre White in London, and Guy Savoy and Jol Robuchon in France, thanks to his dedication and natural talent. 

Ramsay became the head chef at Aubergine in London in 1993, and the restaurant received two Michelin stars within three years. Ramsay started his first wholly-owned and named-after restaurant, Restaurant Gordon Ramsay, when he was 35 years old. Gordon Ramsay's restaurant first debuted in 1998 and quickly earned three Michelin stars, the highest honor in the culinary world. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay is now the longest-running winner of this accolade in London, and Ramsay is one of just four chefs in the UK to keep his three stars. Gordon's other London restaurant, Pétrus in Knightsbridge, also has a Michelin star. Gordon has two stars at Le Pressoir d'Argent in Bordeaux, in addition to his stars in the UK. “He’s a perfectionist,” says Paul Buccieri, chairman of ITV U.S. Studios Group. “When you have to run a restaurant, and people are putting their hard-earned money down for a night out, he wants to create an experience, and make that experience the best it can possibly be. It’s not just getting them in the door, but having them come back.”(Birnbaum, 2014)

                                               Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, London

Ramsay, who now has seven Michelin stars, has created a string of successful restaurants all over the world, from Singapore to the United States. Following Danny McCarthy (2022):“It has to start off with the attention to detail,” Ramsay says of the common thread amongst all successful restaurants."   Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen at Caesars Palace, Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips at The Linq, Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris, Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill at Caesars Palace, and Gordon Ramsay Burger at Planet Hollywood are among them; two restaurants in Atlantic City (Gordon Ramsay Steak at Harrah's and Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill at Caesars); two ventures in Versailles (Gordon Ramsay au Trianon & La Veranda); 

Union Street Café, London House, Lucky Cat, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, Bread Street Kitchen, Heddon Street Kitchen, Maze Grill, Street Pizza, and Street Burger are among the Gordon Ramsay Restaurants in the United Kingdom. "His favorite food to cook, he says, is fish — naturally, because “it’s about perfection,” he says. “Cooking meat is easy, I can tell you exactly the temperature with my eyes closed. But fish is completely different. There’s only one temperature — and that’s perfection.” (Birnbaum, 2014)

Ramsay has also become a television sensation in the United States and abroad, with four top-rated FOX shows that air in more than 200 countries. Hell's Kitchen, MasterChef, MasterChef Jr., 24 Hours to Hell & Back, Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, The F-Word, and UK shows Gordon, Gino and Fred:Roadtrip, Gordon Ramsay on Cocaine, Culinary Genius, Gordon behind bars, Ultimate Cookery Course, Gord In 2016, Ramsay founded Studio Ramsay, an independent next-generation production firm that creates shows and formats for the UK, US, and internet platforms.  

                                                         MasterChef Television Show

           

While Ramsay is best known for his work as a celebrity chef, he is also successful in a variety of other fields. Ramsay is best known for being a published author, having written a number of books, many of which have been international blockbusters, including his autobiography, Roasting in Hell's Kitchen. Apart from that, Ramsay has a global collaboration with WWRD (Waterford, Wedgwood, Royal Doulton), a company that sells high-quality home and leisure items, as well as Glu Smartphone, where his mobile game Restaurant DASH with Gordon Ramsay has become a worldwide hit.

                                                         Gordon Ramsay's Autobiography, 2007

I will look at his 'Gordon Ramsay's Cookery Course', this is a guide for cooking and cookbook of recipes.

Here is one of his recipe. 

COCONUT PANCAKES WITH MANGO SLICES AND LIME SYRUP 

Here I can see example of well designed cooking recipe. Very well composed photo. Natural colors and factures in it. White plate. Simple decoration. First there is a name of the dish, then serving information. Next one is useful tip for preparation of the recipe. Later there is a list of ingredients and measurements, also the recipe is divided into main dish and addition as lime syrup. Later there are steps that we take for make the dish. For me the most enjoyable part of the recipe is name of the recipe and image. This is what makes us hungry. 

Another dessert recipe. 

           

The photo is taken with natural light. Again there are natural colors. Simple decoration made from dough crumbs. There are two kitchen objects like silver grid and white baking paper. Everything is well composed. Then we have description of the meal. Next is list of ingredients. Then steps to make a dish. At the end there is useful tip for cooking. 

After further research in my mind show up clear idea how the cookbook and recipes should be composed. There are particular elements that have to work well together.  In all of Ramsay recipes there is simplicity, also in images we can find natural colors, such as blue or grey and simple kitchen objects. Ingredients are written in different font and letters are both printed and usual. In my opinion adding useful tips and hints at the beginning and at the end of the recipe is a very well idea that's adding something extra to it, as not everyone is on the same level in the kitchen. I could add it to my recipes as well. To sum up Gordon Ramsay is a person that I admire for his passions and hard work. Also for his and his wife Tana charity work. He made incredible career and success all over the world. As I live and study in Leicester city - very close to the London, with love I would like to visit his restaurants and taste few of his recipes!!

References

Business and Tech. 2022. Celebrity Restaurateur Gordon Ramsay Shares His Secrets for Restaurant Success - Business and Tech. [online] Available at: <https://www.futureofbusinessandtech.com/empowering-restaurants-in-america/celebrity-restaurateur-gordon-ramsay-shares-his-secrets-for-restaurant-success/#> [Accessed 21 April 2022].

Encyclopedia Britannica. 2022. Gordon Ramsay | Biography, TV Shows, Restaurants, & Facts. [online] Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gordon-Ramsay> [Accessed 21 April 2022].

Gordon Ramsay Restaurants. 2022. Michelin Starred. [online] Available at: <https://www.gordonramsayrestaurants.com/restaurants-and-bars/michelin-starred/> [Accessed 21 April 2022].

Gordon Ramsay.com. 2022. Gordon Ramsay. [online] Available at: <https://www.gordonramsay.com/> [Accessed 21 April 2022].

Mashed.com. 2022. The Untold Truth Of Gordon Ramsay. [online] Available at: <https://www.mashed.com/182576/the-untold-truth-of-gordon-ramsay/> [Accessed 21 April 2022].

Variety.com. 2022. How Gordon Ramsay Built His Name into a Billion Dollar Brand - Variety. [online] Available at: <https://variety.com/2014/tv/spotlight/how-gordon-ramsay-built-his-name-into-a-billion-dollar-brand-1201340276/> [Accessed 21 April 2022].

Media Project: Research

 As my project will be cookbook and I have chosen some chefs and authors to look at I would like to start my research looking at Jamie Oliver. I will be looking at his life at work because it inspires me to create my own cookbook project. 

Jamie Trevor Oliver (born May 1975) is a British chef, restaurateur and cookbook author. He is known for his placed approach to cooking, which was brought him in front on the camera, several television shows and various restaurants openings. When his show 'The Chef' premiered Oliver become well known. 

                                                                          Jamie Oliver

 In 2005 he launched Feed Me Better campaign. Jamie Oliver wanted to demonstrate parents how their children were fed and how little money the government spends on their children's lunches. Jamie Oliver wants to provide them with an innovative and better meal, free of junk food. In a result the government finally amended it to Jamie Oliver's specifications. The number of signatures for the Shool Dinners continued to rise, and after four weeks, it had reached 270,000 signatures! The Feed Me Better initiative was a success. According to Oliver (2006):  "I think unfortunately it has taken a documentary, and really the hearts and emotions of the kids and families that I've filmed, to sort of touch the nation". 

He was the owner of a Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group and opened first 'Jamie's Italian' in Oxford 2008. He won the TED Prize in 2010. In June 2003 Oliver was made a Member of the Order of British Empire for 'services to hospitality industry'. 

Mr. Oliver cutting ravioli for lunch in his test kitchen, where he pointed out that even the slightest air bubble can make the ravioli burst open when they are boiled. John Kernick for The New York Times

He's cooking style is organic, Italian and British.

Jamie Oliver grew up in Essex, where he was born and raised. Trevor and Sally Oliver managed The Cricketers, a pub/restaurant where he learned to cook with his parents in the kitchen. He was schooled at Newport Free Grammar School and has one sister, Anne Marie. He graduated from high school with two GCSEs in Art and Geology and went on to Westminster Technical College, which is now Westminster Kingsway College. He then acquired a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in home economics from City & Guilds. 

Oliver's first work was as a pastry chef at Antonio Carluccio's Neal Street restaurant, where he learned how to prepare Italian cuisine and met his mentor Gennaro Contaldo and later in his career, Oliver hired Contaldo to assist operate his Jamie's Italian collection of high-end restaurants. Following Contaldo (2016): "Jamie is incredible, when you show him how to do something the Italian way, he takes it in straight away; and when he does it, he does it better than me."

                                                                      Gennaro Cotaldo

As a sous-chef, Oliver moved to The River Café in Fulham. After making an unscripted cameo in a documentary about the restaurant, Christmas at the River Cafe, he was recognised by the BBC in 1997. His BBC show The Naked Chef premiered in 1999, and his cookbook became a best-seller in the UK. Oliver was requested to serve lunch for then-Prime Minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street the same year. Oliver moved to Channel 4 in the United Kingdom after three seasons of Naked Chef for the BBC His first series was a documentary called Jamie's Kitchen, which covered the opening of Fifteen restaurant in London. Until its closing on May 21, 2019, the restaurant in Westland Place, London, continued to train young adults from underprivileged backgrounds for employment in the culinary industry. Oliver received an MBE in June 2003 for his contributions to the hotel business. 

Jamie Oliver with 15 young adults

Oliver is the best-selling British writer since records began, behind only J. K. Rowling. Oliver has sold over 14.55 million books as of February 2019, netting him around £180 million. Jamie has 24 best-selling food books beneath his name, making him the best-selling non-fiction author in UK history. Jamie's 2019 title Veg has sold over 1 million copies globally, making it the best-selling vegetarian cookbook in the UK and Australia since records began. As Oliver says: " I was a special needs kid from school and I never thought I’d write a book.” (Oliver, 2022). 

 

                                                          'Jamie Cooks Italy' - Cookbook

Moreover, he runs his website and application and there we can find plenty of his healthy recipes, they are presented very well , includes nutrition information and consider difficulty, time and servings. Instructions to prepare meal are simple. At the end of the recipe we can find useful tips. 

                                             

                                               Egg bread muffins - Jamie's Oliver receipt

Next receipt come from Jamie Oliver's "5 Ingredients - Quick & Easy Food". Following review from "The Daily Telegraph" - "Jamie Oliver returns with the second series, focusing on easy family-centric cooking . . . he's stripped back to basics and all the better for it." This is the next good example of his cookbook.

Recipe has features such as the title, serving information, time, and list of ingredients with measurements, in this term really short. What I noticed is the fact that instructions are not in bullet points as usually. Recipe includes images of 5 ingredients. 

In this picture we can see ready meal. Plate is white and simple. On the top there is an decoration wit The background in natural colors. The recipe is colorful salad and in my opinion with use of white and grey color we can show the beauty of the dish. Also, in this way the author creates an appetitte to the readers.  

                                              

Now I become more familiar with the author's life and work. That will help me to understand how the life of chef looks like and hot to achieve the success in the industry. I can see Jamie Oliver is not only author of books or restaurateur but also person with a social mission who would like to make the world better and such an attitude is admirable to me. I recognize Jamie Oliver cooking style simple and casual while he still focuses on freshness and taste in food. I think this is what people desire for when looking for receipts. Receipts should be not very complicated and easy to follow. I could implement something similar to my own cookbook. 

In the next blog post I will be looking at Gordon Ramsay, another great chef and author of books. 

References

Echo. 2022. Jamie Oliver: My first cookbook was ‘written on the back of beer mats’. [online] Available at: <https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/19870343.jamie-oliver-reveals-first-cookbook-written-beer-mats/> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

Jamie Oliver. 2022. Cookbooks | Jamie Oliver Store | Jamie Oliver. [online] Available at: <https://www.jamieoliver.com/store/> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

Jamie Oliver. 2022. Jamie Oliver | Official website for recipes, books, tv shows and restaurants. [online] Available at: <https://www.jamieoliver.com/> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

News.bbc.co.uk. 2022. BBC NEWS | Magazine | Profile: Jamie Oliver. [online] Available at: <http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4394025.stm> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

Nytimes.com. 2022. It’s Not Always Excellent to Be Jamie Oliver (Published 2019). [online] Available at: <https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/20/dining/jamie-oliver.html> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

S.A., H., 2022. Jamie Oliver. Biography, news, photos and videos. [online] hellomagazine.com. Available at: <https://www.hellomagazine.com/profiles/jamie-oliver> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

The Irish News. 2022. Gennaro Contaldo: Jamie Oliver's my sixth child. [online] Available at: <https://www.irishnews.com/lifestyle/2016/10/20/news/gennaro-contaldo-jamie-oliver-s-my-sixth-child-745973/> [Accessed 20 April 2022].

Project Ideas & Plan: Pro Forma

I write here my project plan for the Media Project II that I will be doing during summer term. 

Project Title: Romanian Cookbook

Progression Route: English and Spanish language

Describe your major project using the SMART acronym

  I will be creating a Media Project and this will be Cookbook. It will consist of 6-8 Romanian recipes. I will use my own images and add graphics using Lucidpress software. I will present my Cookbook as an e-book in form of flipbook using Flipsnack software. I will upload it to my website in my portfolio by the deadline at the beginning of June.

Why have you chosen to do this project?

I'm passionate about cooking and food. I enjoy a lot and consider beautiful art work of other's authors' cookbooks. 

Who are you researching for this project? List at least three media producers, authors, musicians, photographers. 

Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and Nadiya Hussain. Also I will be looking at Polish cookbook online magazine kukbuk.pl

What techniques, skills are you developing/learning during this project?

I will be developing skills in writing and publishing. 

What do you expect the final outcome of the project to be?

I expect is to be as a digital recipe book with 6-8 recipes, images and illustrations.

What have you completed so far for this project?

I have developed and researched my initial ideas, I did initial research when I was looking at origins of recipe books and I considered the software and template I will use. 

What do you think will be the issues/drawbacks to the project?

Issues can be with meal presentation. 

What is your timescale considering that this has to be completed by Week 10?

Week Three: Project Sign off and this plan.

Week Four: To begin writing and test shot images practice. 

Week Five: To continue to take test shots. Add further research and look closely at other artists techniques

Week Six: Continue to work on the recipes and images, aim to finalize at least two of these by this time. 

Week Seven: Further research and finalizing at least 4 more of the recipes. 

Week Eight: Look at website design and update, start to consider portfolio presentation. Complete all pieces ready for portfolio

Week Nine: Quality check everything and write an introduction on the portfolio and complete ready for the deadline.

What resources or materials will you need for this project?

I will need digital software Lucidpress , Adobe Lightroom and DSLR camera - Canon 700D. 

Draw a picture/Write a sentence/sketch a story/write a dialogue that captures the essence of your project

Set Essay: Research

During the Media Project II I will be writing an 1000 word set essay and this will be analysing the lyrics of Coolio song 'Gangsta Paradise'' from 1995. I will be considering its structure, form, metre, rhyme and meaning. I will do the research to get knowledge and begin the writing of introduction.

Artis Leon Ivey Jr. (born August 1, 1963) is an American rapper, actor, record producer, and chef better known by his stage name Coolio. In the late 1980s, he was a member of the electro hip hop groups Sound Master Crew and Nu-Skool before joining WC and the Maad Circle in 1991. With his albums It Takes a Thief, Gangsta's Paradise, and My Soul, Ivey achieved mainstream success in the mid-1990s. He is best known for his Grammy Award-winning single "Gangsta's Paradise," which appeared on his self-titled album and the soundtrack to the film Dangerous Minds. He is also well-known for his singles "Fantastic Voyage," "C U When U Get There," and "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)."

Coolio

Coolio's Gangsta's Paradise lyrics are planned to portray the mental processes of a stereotypical street gangsta. As a result, many of the words featured within it, focus on the type of violent and criminal behaviour that such a lifestyle is based on. In the other words, Coolio who plays such a character, makes it very clear that if he crossed in the wrong way, the person who offended him may die as a result. 

                                       

Following Song Meanings and Facts (2021) "this isn't your typical gangsta rap in which the vocalist is portrayed as a tough, uncompromising individual". Coolio and company wrote the lyrics specifically for the film ''Dangerous Minds'' (1995). The movie differences in behaviour around a group of high school students from the getto. As a result Coolio sets out to capture the sense of pessimism that comes with growing up in such an environment. That's why in the second verse he wonders if he'll be alive a year from now. This is a common way of thinking of young males from internal American communities. The song makes clear such environments are full of gun violence. 

In conclusion the title gangsta's paradise would be alternative name for the ghetto and the title of the song is sarcastic. There is nothing contained in the lyrics which point to the idea of the 'hood' (slang of neighbourhood) being enjoyable. According to SMF (2021): ''rather the term paradise is more or less synonymous with the word 'ideology''. 

                                "Chicago Ghetto on the South Side," 1974 (John H. White / National Archives

Today, the term "ghetto" appears to be anachronistic, and, at worst, offensive. Following Geary (2017): ''when you’re white, you don’t know what it’s like to be living in a ghetto.” In my opinion with this description we can exactly imagine what it is. 

This song represents the type of gangsta lifestyle and young men actually seek to live on the streets in California. Also California is the place where film ''Dangerous Minds'' is set and which also Coolio grew up. There is also no hope in the mind of individual for a prosperous future. As SMF (2021) stated: ''Coolio rather focuses on a very important topic. He focuses on the general sense of hopelessness many people who reside in such areas are actually afflicted with.''

Now I become more familiar with the artist and the concept behind the lyrics in his song. I think I'm well prepared with an idea for my essay. I know the origins of the song, the story behind it and why it has been written. Now it will be much easier to analyse the lyrics in the essay. In addition, as I would like to improve my skills in writing, compared to last term in the next Set essay blog post I will do the research about how to write better essays and look into poetry handbook. 

Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise lyrics:

As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

I take a look at my life, and realize there's nothin' left

'Cause I've been blastin' and laughin' so long

That even my momma thinks that my mind is gone

But I ain't never crossed a man that didn't deserve it

Me be treated like a punk, you know that's unheard of

You better watch how you talkin' and where you walkin'

Or you and your homies might be lined in chalk

I really hate to trip, but I gotta loc

As they croak, I see myself in the pistol smoke

Fool, I'm the kinda G the little homies wanna be like

On my knees in the night, sayin' prayers in the streetlight

Been spendin' most their lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Been spendin' most their lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spendin' most our lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spendin' most our lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Look at the situation they got me facin'

I can't live a normal life, I was raised by the street

So I gotta be down with the hood team

Too much television watchin' got me chasin' dreams

I'm a educated fool with money on my mind

Got my ten in my hand and a gleam in my eye

I'm a loc'd out gangsta, set trippin' banger

And my homies is down so don't arouse my anger

Fool, death ain't nothin' but a heart beat away

I'm livin' life do or die, what can I say?

I'm 23 now, but will I live to see 24?

The way things is goin', I don't know

Tell me why are we so blind to see

That the ones we hurt are you and me?

Been spendin' most their lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Been spendin' most their lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spendin' most our lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spendin' most our lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Power and the money, money and the power

Minute after minute, hour after hour

Everybody's runnin', but half of them ain't lookin'

It's goin' on in the kitchen, but I don't know what's cookin'

They say I gotta learn, but nobody's here to teach me

If they can't understand it, how can they reach me?

I guess they can't, I guess they won't

I guess they frontin', that's why I know my life is out of luck, fool!

Been spendin' most their lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Been spendin' most their lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spendin' most our lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Keep spendin' most our lives livin' in the gangsta's paradise

Tell me why are we so blind to see

That the ones we hurt are you and me?

Tell me why are we so blind to see

That the ones we hurt are you and me?

References

Epstein, D. and Epstein, D., 2022. The Oral History of Coolio's 'Gangsta's Paradise'. [online] Rolling Stone. Available at: <https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/coolios-gangstas-paradise-the-oral-history-of-1995s-pop-rap-smash-50357/> [Accessed 30 April 2022].

Geary, D., 2017. Is There Such a Thing as the American Ghetto? - Dissent Magazine. [online] Dissent Magazine. Available at: <https://www.dissentmagazine.org/online_articles/ghetto-mitchell-duneier-review> [Accessed 30 April 2022].

Hip Hop Wiki. 2022. Coolio. [online] Available at: <https://hip-hop-music.fandom.com/Coolio> [Accessed 30 April 2022].

Song Meanings and Facts. 2022. Coolio's "Gangsta’s Paradise" Lyrics Meaning - Song Meanings and Facts. [online] Available at: <https://www.songmeaningsandfacts.com/coolios-gangstas-paradise-lyrics-meaning/> [Accessed 30 April 2022].

Yourdictionary.com. 2022. Hood Definitions | What does hood mean? | Best 43 Definitions of Hood. [online] Available at: <https://www.yourdictionary.com/hood> [Accessed 30 April 2022].

'

Smart Objective

Smart Objective for Project Sign Off. 

 I will be creating a Media Project and this will be Cookbook. It will consist of 6-8 Romanian recipes. I will use my own images and add graphics using Lucidpress software. I will present my Cookbook as an e-book in form of flipbook using Flipsnack software. I will upload it to my website in my portfolio by the deadline at the beginning of June.

Media: Piktochart Developing Ideas

    I decided to realize the idea of Cookbook. It will present recipes from Romania.  

 

Here I share with you link to the piktochart with explanation and development of my project. 

Media: Initial Research

 I decided to follow my culinary passion and in today's blog post I will do initial research about the idea. My project will be a cookbook. Following Encyclopedia Britannica cookbook - is a "collection of recipes, instructions, and information about the preparation and serving of foods At its best, a cookbook is also a chronicle and treasury of the fine art of cooking, an art whose masterpieces—created only to be consumed—would otherwise be lost".  

I would like to begin with origins and look at one of the most famous early one that came from Greece : Deipnosophistai - The Learned Banquet" written by Greek grammarian - Athenaeus. Its is written as a form of aristocratic symposium, where a number of learned men meet at a banquet and discuss food and other topics. 

The work is divided into 15 books and it is presented as a dialogue between two banqueters, who relate recipes for dishes such as vine leaves and cheesecake. The value of the work partly consist of quotations and unusual information about all aspects of life in the ancient Greco- Roman world. 

                                                

                                                Deipnosophistai - Athenaeus - Book III 

Medieval Europe also made cookbooks. The early one in England was "The Forme of Cury" made in 12th century. It has 196 recipes and most of them have French origin and names such as "Payn Fondewe". Considering the fact that the original manuscript has been lost, the text has been saved in nine copies, the most famous of which is a scroll with an original article referring to it as the product of "King Richard II's main Master Cooks." The name The Forme of Cury is more commonly applied to a group of recipes than to a single manuscript book. It is one of the oldest surviving English recipe books, and it is the first to mention olive oil, gourds, and spices like mace and cloves.

Then one of first French cookbooks was La Menagier de Paris, published in 1394 and contains recipes for specialties such as frogs and snails. It's a manuscript book about home and culinary economy prepared for a Parisian bourgeois by his wife to teach him how to keep his house and cook. The text, written in the (fictional) voice of an elderly husband to his younger wife, provides a rare look into late mediaeval gender, home, and marriage ideals. The fundamental theme of the book, which is important for its language and combination of prose and poetry, is wifely obedience. The cookbook is presented in the second part of the book, article five. Its many recipes, like most original middle ages cuisine resources (that is, books and manuscripts actually written during the middle ages), include information on ingredients and preparation methods but do not accurately measure anything; most ingredients are given without specifying amounts, and most cooking methods are listed without specifying amount of heat or cooking time. Soups, meat, egg, and fish dishes, sauces, beverages, pastries, and tarts are included recipes in Le Menagier.

     

                                                   Le Menagier de Paris translation - 1394

I read one of the review of Italian cookbook and this is what I would like to achieve in my project: “Not just a recipe book, but a genuine overview of Tuscany's culinary history and culture, a journey in images through photograph taken .” -  Tuscookany -  The flavours of Tuscany

Now I have understanding on history of cookbooks and have knowledge about its variety of form. As I can see there were not only included recipes but also the interesting facts from different ages, dialogues and beautiful handwriting. As I am English language student it is very interesting. In my own project I can include images and recipes. I will do further research to investigate how to make culinary e-book and decide on if I would do my own images or copy-right free images and choose which country's cuisine I would like to introduce in my Cookbook. Also I think about presenting list of recipes as a Menu card.  In the next week I will be working on Smart Objective and Project Sign-Off. I can't wait to begin my project! I'm sure it will be exciting!

 

References

Encyclopedia Britannica. 2022. Athenaeus | Greek grammarian and author. [online] Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/biography/Athenaeus#ref17743> [Accessed 09 April 2022].

Encyclopedia Britannica. 2022. cookbook | Definition & History. [online] Available at: <https://www.britannica.com/topic/cookbook> [Accessed 09 April 2022].

Gallica. 2022. Ménagier de Paris.. [online] Available at: <https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b10501679k> [Accessed 09 April 2022].

Goodreads. 2022. The Deipnosophists, or Banquet of the Learned: Volume I. [online] Available at: <https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14612778-the-deipnosophists-or-banquet-of-the-learned> [Accessed 09 April 2022].

Medievalists.net. 2022. Le Menagier de Paris: A Parisian Bourgeoisie Household in 1400 - Medievalists.net. [online] Available at: <https://www.medievalists.net/2010/12/le-menagier-de-paris-a-parisian-bourgeoisie-household-in-1400/> [Accessed 09 April 2022].

Pbm.com. 2022. Le Ménagier De Paris. [online] Available a09 April 2022].

Taylor & Francis. 2022. The Forme of Cury. [online] Available at: <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13528165.2020.1918892> [Accessed 09 April 2022].