The Newsroom
Q&A: Julien Perry, author of “Seattle Cooks”
Julien Perry, author of the newly released Seattle Cooks, has been a food and lifestyle writer and editor for more than twenty years and has worked as a food editor for Seattle Weekly, Seattle Business Magazine, Eater Seattle, and Seattle Magazine.
How do you normally start your day?
On weekdays, I wake up around 6.30am, immediately head downstairs to make some coffee, log onto my laptop (or laptops, depending on which projects I’m working on) … fire up Pandora or Spotify (I can’t work with peace and quiet), check email and make a general dent in admin stuff. After about an hour or two, I pack up my computer and head to one of my favorite local coffee shops and bookstores (Little Oddfellows inside Elliott Bay Books) and work a couple of hours from there, as outside of my apartment is where I’m most productive. On weekends, if I have no obligations, I’ve been known to spend most of the day in bed, which transforms quite nicely from sleeping place to office and entertainment center! I more than make up for weekend laziness during the week, so don’t judge me.
What are you reading at the moment?
A friend lent me his copy of Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography, Born to Run. I need to crack that open. It’s been sitting on my desk for an embarrassing amount of time. So, to answer your question: nothing. The last thing I read was (Seattle author) Lindy West’s Shrill. I find peering into other people’s lives to be quite fascinating.
What’s your favourite go-to ingredient?
I am obsessed with two things: a mildly spicy kimchi paste called Mama O’s. I spread it on and mix it into everything! I also drizzle tahini on basically everything I eat. Coincidentally, the kimchi paste pairs exceptionally well with tahini!
What food is your guilty pleasure?
I could live on French fries.
Who has influenced your cooking the most?
I’d say my mom, but she actually cooks 🙂 I’m one of those people who loves food, but when I cook, I go simple – roast some vegetables, make a quick pot of rice, eat cereal for dinner (sometimes), avocado toast for breakfast…my cooking style is not involved at all. So I would say my lifestyle – the life of a single city dweller in a compact apartment with limited time – has influenced my cooking (or lack thereof).
Is there a food you can’t bring yourself to eat?
Offal. Some say I’m not an adventurous eater because I don’t eat this kind of “food”, and to that I say: this is not food.
The thing I love about Seattle is…
It’s full of creatives. And there is literally good coffee on every corner.
Seattle Cooks: Signature Recipes from the City’s Best Chefs and Bartenders is available now!