Name: Phil Wilson
Blog name and URL: Baconhound
Where were you born? Fort McMurray, Alberta
Where are you living now? Edmonton, Alberta
Why did you start your blog?
My blog started out of a desire to document my love of food. My wife, Robyn, convinced me that starting a blog showcasing the kind of food that I love would be a fun way for me to share my own experiences in cooking and dining out. She was so very right about that. My blog has helped me connect with an incredible group of like minded food-lovers (I hate the term “foodie”), who have provided me with an endless source of inspiration.
How did you decide on your blog name?
Well, my style is all about comfort food – food that makes you feel good, like a hug from Mom – and, for me, bacon is the ultimate comfort food. I wanted a name that would be easy to remember, catchy, and yet clearly convey the type of food I’ll be writing about.
What do you blog about?
I’ve spent a good portion of 2014 focusing on a big project – the YEG Burger Odyssey – where I conducted an exhaustive search of the Edmonton burger scene to find the definitive answer to the question “Where is Edmonton’s Best Burger”. In between all the burgers, I like to add a few of my own recipes as well as other restaurant reviews, and this summer began a series focusing on Edmonton’s great patios.
What post are you most proud of and why?
I’d say my post on the Home for Dinner Program at The Ronald McDonald House of Northern Alberta makes me beam with pride. I gathered a group of charitable folks from Edmonton’s food community and documented our experience cooking dinner for the families staying at the house. The post brought light to a very worthwhile program and a charity I love, and I couldn’t be happier about that.
Which post do you wish received more love and why?
Last Christmas I made a classic French Tourtiere. I don’t know if its because tourtiere is a specialty dish, or readers were intimidated because its a pie, but for whatever reason the post didn’t get quite the run I thought it would. The feedback I got from the people who did read it was positive and I’m already anxious to make it again this Christmas.
Which post’s success surprised you and why?
I’d have to say the biggest surprise was actually the entire Yeg Burger Odyssey series of posts. I expected them to be popular, but the whole thing took on a life of it’s own, and created a buzz that I never would have predicted.
What is one (non-kitchen) gadget you can’t live without?
Hands down it’s my iPhone. It really gets a workout when I’m out at a food event, tweeting pictures of food or taking booze-fuelled selfies. I use twitter a lot to keep in the loop on what’s going on around town, and it’s a great tool to casually connect with readers.
My TV remote would be a close second…
What is one kitchen gadget you can’t live without?
It’s not really a gadget, but ever since buying a good quality Japanese kitchen knife I’ve been wondering how I got along without it for so long. It’s so nice to use, and I find I’m always looking for something else to cut just so I can use it again. Since it’s not a gadget though, I’d say a good, sturdy pair of tongs is a must. Cheapo, flimsy tongs made of paper thin metal have no place in a kitchen.
Favourite food, care to share a recipe or restaurant choice? (if this is a recipe from your blog, please include the URL)
One of my favourite meals I’ve had at a restaurant was the Burmese Pork Stew from Tasty n’ Sons in Portland. The pork was beautifully braised, with the perfect amount of sweetness and a bold, rich flavour. I was delighted to find the recipe and re-create it at home, and it came out every bit as delicious as the original, even with a few little tweaks of my own thrown in.
What else should we know about you that may or not be in your “About Me” page?
I have a deep-seeded love of Roxette that I don’t talk about much but, secretly, indulge in often. Also I should probably get it out there that I’m not a fan of this trend of putting bacon in every dessert. I wish people would just stop it. Bacon is good. Desserts are good. Leave it at that. Rarely do I have a dessert that is made better by adding bacon.
What makes your blog unique?
I’m just an ordinary guy who likes to eat extraordinary, but every-day kind of food. You won’t find me clamouring to get in to the fanciest restaurants in town, or adding caviar to everything I make. I enjoy simple food, done exceptionally well. Food trends will come and go, but I like to focus on the classic comfort foods that fill you up and make you smile. I like to think my blog represents who I am: hearty and full of fat.
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