About Me!

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I believe that drawing on my corporate experience gave me a unique approach to blogging. This is where I share everything I did and everything I’ve learned.

Nagi from RecipeTin EatsHi there! I’m Nagi from RecipeTin Eats food blog, a former finance executive turned food blogger.

I started my blog in May 2014.

4 months later in September 2014, I had over 400,000 views.

In January 2015, it was viewed almost 1 million times. (Update: Sept 2017, monthly traffic 5 million).

Other than a $7 experiment with Facebook, I have never paid a cent to have my content promoted.

I am not a tech geek. I do not have a husband or partner working behind the scenes to monetise, promote or work on tech stuff for my blog. I have never hosted link parties or done anything else that would give me traffic boosts.

Food Bloggers Central is where I share everything I have learned about what worked and what didn’t work in building my blog.

I am not a “super power” blogger by any stretch of the imagination. But I do think I have figured out things to help you grow your blog.

This is where I’m sharing all my tips to grow and monetise your blog – for free.

Find out more about Food Bloggers Central here

MY PREVIOUS LIFE

My former life: In Dubai for a global board meeting. That's me on the far right - the only woman, in a black suit with red patent leather stilettos!

My former life: In Dubai for a global board meeting. That’s me on the far right – the only woman, in a black suit with red patent leather stilettos!

In a former life, I was a finance executive of a multi billion dollar corporation. I was flown around the world “on the job”, worked ridiculous hours, ran board meetings, managed banking relationships and handled billion dollar transactions.

One day, I had an epiphany. I woke up, and realised that if I was 70, I would look back on my life and I wouldn’t be happy with the way I had lived it.

So I ditched the 5 inch red patent leather heels and suits, and pursued my dream. To make a living doing what I loved.

Food.

I dove into it head first, knowing my insane obsession with cooking and food would fuel the drive to work hard on my blog. What I also knew straight up was that in order to grow my blog, I would need to learn food photography.

What started out as a necessary evil in order to attract readers to my blog quickly grew into a great love. I picked up a DSLR camera for the first time in May 2014. Now I am almost as obsessed with food photography as I am with cooking and eating. 🙂 Here’s a little snapshot of the progress I made when I first started out.

Improving-Food-Photography

And in 2017 – shooting the hardest of all foods, BROWN food!

Mushroom-Rice-Pilaf-(6)

Chicken-in-Mushroom-Gravy-(6)

Less than a year after I picked up a DSLR for the first time, I was also doing food photography for clients and 6 months after that, due to popular demand, I wrote The Food Photography Book where I revealed all my secret tips.

Caramel Slice_2 Caprese-Baked-Eggs_1

Chicken Salad Avocado Dressing_7

I believe that drawing on my corporate experience gave me a unique approach to blogging. This is where I share everything I did and everything I’ve learned.

WELCOME TO FOOD BLOGGERS CENTRAL! We strive to create a food blogging community unlike any other. Support. Ask for help. Make friends. Learn. Grow your blog.

MAKE MONEY DOING WHAT YOU LOVE.

cropped-Food-Bloggers-Central-FBC-Logo-Website-Header.jpg

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The Food Photography Book by Nagi from RecipeTin Eats

Comments

  1. says

    Hi Nagi! Hope you are well.
    I was part of the Food Bloggers central almost two and 1/2 years ago. I used to be a novice then and because of lack of knowledge, I was booted out of the group. I would appreciate it greatly if I’m unblocked and come back?
    I blog at myyellowapron.com and been in this field now for more than 2 years and know the rules well.
    Thanks
    Aish

  2. Ked Yamakanond says

    Hi Nagi, How amazing that you grew your blog in such a short time. Your story has inspired me to work harder to start my own food blog. Food photography has become my new hobby and, YES, I’ve bought your Food Photography book!!hat a great book to follow and I’m learning a lot.
    Cheers, from a fellow Northern Beaches girl

  3. says

    Nagi,

    I would love to chat with you about the show I’m casting – searching for Restaurants (with dynamic owners) in need of a RESTAURANT MAKEOVER! This is an exciting opportunity for your readers that I would love for you to share with them. I hope to speak with you soon! Feel free to check out our casting website: http://www.restaurantrenovate.com/

    Thank you so much and I hope to hear from you soon. Have a great day!

  4. Lori Marie says

    Oh my gosh! I am so late to the Food Blogger Central party! I just found this site and I wanted to take a second to say THANK YOU! Thank you so much for sharing your story and experience.

  5. says

    Thanks so much for sharing Nagi!

    It’s really inspirational to me as a food blogger. I think sometimes it’s difficult to be able to relate to other food bloggers who come from different paths. My story is similar to yours, I also worked a corporate financial job which I knew was not my true calling. Since I was a child I loved food like crazy, I even thought about joining the Culinary Institute of America but gave up on that dream and followed another path instead. I can really relate to what you’ve written and I wanted to thank you for creating the FBC and sharing your knowledge with us!

    Much love,

    Bernardette

  6. says

    Wow ! I am really thrilled to read all about your experiences and how you grew up your page views. I am still struggling and need guidance. I started by blog in July 2015 and wanted to know how to grow my page views.

  7. says

    Hi Nagi. I am so thrilled to find this blog! This is exactly what I have been looking for. I can’t wait to read through more of your content. Thanks so much for sharing.

  8. says

    Oh wow!! So inspiring and I do appreciate your courage to leave a corporate job to follow your passion.. And the best thing is that you succeeded ?!! I also started my blog almost same time as yours-April 2014!! But I’m nowhere in this blogging world I think! Need to work more on my blog..
    One more time thanks for this inspiring post.. Loved your blog!!

  9. says

    Hi Nagi,

    I’ve been blogging for several years and I can’t believe we have never crossed paths until I found out about FBC on Facebook recently. In this short time I have learnt so much from you. Promoting my posts have always been my greatest challenge. Time to “break out”, connect, and learn from others like yourself. Thank you for sharing your success with us and all for free. Wishing you continued success on the blog.

    PS, love those red shoes although I can’t imagine putting on a pair above 2 inches now. Left the corporate world a long time ago to stay home with my boys. 🙂

    Hugs…Linda

  10. Chad says

    Nagi,

    appreciate your decision to change directions mid-life. Also, your dishes actually appear …. happy or content. Strangely, I have seen some food photos that just have a “heavy” vibe. Is that even possible? LOL.

  11. Sherryl says

    Hello Nagi,

    Thank god I found this blog as it definitely is by far the most inspiring blog I’ve come across this year. Love the fact that you are in this intentionally as that is what I’m heading towards as well. I have been a serial learner so far and not much of a serial implementer and your story and success have inspired me of what is still possible in this saturated internet space. I have opt to join your Facebook page and am looking forward to learning from the others and thank you for sharing your tips and experience.

    • Nagi says

      Hi Sherryl! I’m so glad you found FBC too! I’m glad you found my story inspiring, it took a lot to decide to pour it all “out there” but the feedback I’ve gotten makes it worth it. 🙂 I look forward to getting to know you and your blog!

  12. says

    Hi Nagi! Can I just say, I got chills reading your story?! You are so kind and such an inspiration, as well as a very (obviously) super smart lady 🙂 I’m just starting out with my teeny little blog right now and trying to find a balance with school, but I have learned SO MUCH from reading your posts. I also have no one to help out with anything really and it’s definitely been a challenge! Thank you so much for all your extremelyyy helpful information!

    P.S. girl, those red heels! perfect.

    • Nagi says

      Cali – anyone who notices the shoes gets 5 stars in my books! I am so glad you are finding it helpful and I was just like you when I started out, no one to help with anything! That’s honestly why I started FBC. I do hope you join the Facebook Group if you haven’t already!! The engagement and friendliness of everyone is so fabulous! N x

  13. says

    Your articles are so helpful! Especially for a blogger that can’t quite afford to purchase any how-to websites. Thanks for all the help, love the recipes AND the shoes by the way! Best wishes on your continued success! – Corinne, Brooklyn Munch

    • Nagi says

      So glad you’re finding FBC helpful Corinne! I know what you mean – I never subscribed to a paid how-to website myself 🙂 I really am motivated to make FBC a complete free resource for bloggers!

  14. says

    Hi Nagi, I am glad that I found your blog! You are so inspiring! I am like you (though, I never handled billion dollars, not an executive, I am just high school teacher….) not a tech geek. I do not have a husband or partner working behind the scenes to monetise, promote or work on tech stuff for my blog, have just managed to set up my blog and it took me forever to figure out. I am soooo glad to find this site. I am on 2weeks school holiday now and going to read all of your post. Thank you

    • Nagi says

      Hi Shikoko! (Fellow Japanese background I am guessing…. 😉 ) Firstly, please don’t ever use the words “just a high school teacher”!. Your job is far more honourable and contributing back to society than the job I had and I have the utmost respect for teachers. In fact, I have mquite a few friends who are teachers!

      Secondly – wow we ARE similar!! It took me forever to set up my blog too 🙂 I seriously thought a widget was a toy robot!

      I hope you find useful info here! And do join the Facebook group, it would be SO lovely to chat to you there too! N x

  15. says

    Loved reading your story – finance executive to extremely successful food blogger all in the span of less than a year! Such an inspiring story. Thanks so much for creating this community for all of us to learn from you! And for being so open with what you’ve learnt!

    • Nagi says

      More than welcome! Really makes me happy helping people. I felt so lost when I started and it seemed the only way to get help was to pay for it and I certainly wasn’t up for spending hundreds of dollars on joining a community!!! 🙂

  16. says

    Hi Nagi, Oh wait, I just read you post again and I thought you were talking about total page views NOT monthly! It wasn’t until I read your ‘How I did it’ post that I realized they were MONTHLY numbers! WOW, we may have started at the exact same time, but you have definitely not been at the same growth as me! WOW – AMAZING!

  17. says

    I can’t believe we’ve never crossed paths before. We started at the same time and my story is almost exactly the same as yours (I mean our stats have grown in the exact same way). I didn’t know until now that it’s been out of the ordinary! I wish my photography has improved as much as yours as well as my social media following! How fantastic of you to to start this site! I can’t wait to dove in and see what I can learn!

    • Nagi says

      Hi Erren! It’s so lovely to “meet” you kinda properly!! I’m so glad you found FBC 🙂 I hope you join our Facebook group so we can chat!!! 🙂

      • says

        Inspiring story Nagi , I already belong to Food Bloggers Central and have been following you for a while but not commented ! I think you are amazing and I have picked up a number of very helpful tips to make my website better. Photography , styling , SEO , layout its been so helpful but what I like best about your writing in the blogging side of things is that its easy to understand and implement ! Makes a huge difference
        I wanted to comment because of your comment ” I can’t wear high shoes in the kitchen ”
        HA yes you can ! Haven’t you seen Nigella 😉 –
        Maybe not all the time ! but I do hope you kept those beautiful red heels ! and get to wear them now and then x

  18. says

    Hi Nagi, I just noticed that you started your Food Bloggers Central website. It’s very interesting reading your background here. I was actually curious about it. 🙂 You’re definitely one of my inspiration. You’re an AMAZING woman. Thanks for sharing your tips here!

    • Nagi says

      Hi Sue! I’m so glad you found FBC!! Thank you for your kind words, you are so sweet! I don’t try to be an inspiration, honestly, all I want to do is share what I’ve learnt 🙂 Thanks for reading!!

  19. says

    Nagi,
    I am so happy that our paths have crossed. I’ve learned so much from you already and count you as a mentor.
    This must have been a labor of love and I am so glad to to be a part of it.
    As I sit here in a Baltimore hotel room checking out the new FBC site it warms me that I have “found my people.”
    So, today marks the first time I have officiated a friend’s wedding to his lovely bride and the launch of FBC! Can’t wait to fly home to San Diego tomorrow morning and get back to doing what I love most – cooking and blogging. My “real job” can wait until Monday!
    All the best and thanks again,
    Kevin

    • Nagi says

      Awww, that’s so awesome that you officiated your friend’s wedding!! What a fabulous day for you. Honoured that you took time out to check out the new site!! As for your “real job” – that’s just a means to an end. In the relatively short time I’ve known you, I’ve already noticed you have stepped it up. And the food you share….it just ROCKS!!! Thank you for being part of FBC 🙂 People like you are the reason why it’s so easy to want to share!

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