24
JUMPSTART
SHARON MALONEY
jasmine-ginger.com
JUMPSTART
born. I was on a very long maternity
leave and feeling quite isolated and
lonely in the UK. Now I write for a
few magazines and websites, both in
HK and abroad. Food-related? Well,
I cook every night for my son and
I, if that counts. I throw great kids’
parties too!
Who have you written for?
Foodie, Sassy Mama HK, All Abroad
Baby, Malt-O-Meal and PlayTimes.
Is it possible to earn money as a
food blogger in HK?
Tell us about your blog
Jasmine & Ginger is a recipe blog,
with family-friendly recipes from
both the East and West. I try to
make local Chinese food a little more
friendly and recognizable to people
unfamiliar with the more eclectic,
local items; like snow fungus and
pickled mustard greens! I also have
a market guide to things found in
the wet market or dry goods shops
here, with a phonetic pronunciation
guide. Occasionally, I also review
restaurants or products.
How / when did you get into food
writing?
I began my blog as a way of
combating homesickness and new
motherhood when my son was just
Bloggers
It is very definitely a hobby. If I could
earn money blogging, I would! I
would quit my day job and do this
full-time. Sadly, I think the market
is very saturated. I’ve noticed that
everyone is a food blogger here in
HK and a critic! It is very definitely a
labor of love.
Where are you from?
I was born and raised in HK and have
lived here for most of my life.
How has the food scene evolved in
HK in the last year?
In the last few years, there has been
a real rise in “celebrity” chefs from
abroad opening restaurants here,
which has made for some interesting
restaurants. There has also been
a huge wave in creativity from
home-grown entrepreneurs; lots of
small businesses with great vision
for clean-eating, locally-sourced
produce, ethically sound restaurants,
delis and markets; which makes me
very proud to be a Hong-Konger!
How are you promoting your blog?
I don’t really. I have a Facebook page
and Twitter account, but that’s it.
What are some of your favorite food
businesses in HK?
Small delis like Pata Negra House and
Food for Foodies, who are bringing in
artisanal food from abroad, so I don’t
go without my fix for chorizo and
cheese! Also, people like Happy Cow
ice cream, who are doing amazing
and healthy ice-cream. Island East
Markets is wonderful for the small
businesses. Grassroots Pantry for
yummy, nutritious, exciting healthy
food. And the small mom and pop
shops selling traditional food items
that have been going year in and out
for decades. All of them!
Your favorite cuisine / your view on
food.
I really like that saying; “Don’t
eat C.R.A.P. - carbonated, refined,
artificial, or processed.” I don’t feed
it to my kid, why would I eat it?
That said; I’d be a BIG liar if I didn’t
admit I need my pizzas and chocolate
biscuits too. Just a little bit now and
then is all you n YY