Here we are, not even 5 weeks into 2025, and work has started spiralling out of control again. I need to stop for a bit to regain control, get on top of some things, and take a moment to recalibrate.
Also, I desperately need an assistant. Now accepting applications here!
Spiralling, again
From the outset, I want to say that this is not a post about self pity. I count myself lucky every single day that I have a business I can call my own, the most wonderful team you can ever imagine, working in a field that I love and makes me happy.
It is because I love what I do so deeply that I work so hard at it.
And it is probably because of this that I find myself, yet again, overloaded, overwhelmed and stretched beyond my capacity.
Those who have followed along for a while would know that things have changed quite a lot around here in the last 4 years. Back in 2020, the RecipeTin world was a quiet one-girl-and-her-dog operation who hid behind the computer screen with a small support team that worked from home.
These days, I have a team of 9. I have a food bank (RecipeTin Meals) where 4 properly trained chefs work in a commercial kitchen and make over 130,000 homemade meals each year (plus desserts!) that we donate every day to the vulnerable.
I’ve written two cookbooks, both of which I partly blame for this new world in which we now operate. Because it turns out you get a bit of attention when the first book breaks records, then the second book breaks those records. 😉 Honestly, who knew books could do that??!
We do public events – cooking, hosting reader dinners, meet-and-greets, fundraisers for charities we want to support – both here in my hometown of Sydney and interstate, and do segments on TV shows. The fun stuff!
Behind the scenes, I have the responsibilities that come with having your own business. Administration, taxes, paperwork, corporate filings, HR, legal matters, business inquiries, making decisions about “what next” for the business. Looking after the team, organising team events, trying to keep up regular communication with a team that works from many different locations.
And with RTM being a registered charity, with that comes additional obligations, like regular board meetings which include independent directors and annual audits.
And lastly, let’s add to that, creating the recipes that I share on this website. Plus photographing them, editing the photos, filming them, writing up the posts, and testing the recipes.
I share this not to complain or boast about workload. I don’t think the latter is something to boast about anyway, because I’m here today, putting my hand up and saying – I don’t want to spiral back into that trap again of being completely overloaded, overwhelmed and stretched beyond my capacity.
I can’t. It’s unhealthy. While 2024 was a year of incredible highs, I ended it in a bad state of sheer exhaustion. I spent the entire 10 days of the Christmas break recovering, sleeping 12 to 15 hours every day. Unheard of for me – 6 hours is my norm, 8 hours would be a dream!
But spiralling again, I am.
My instinct in these situations in recent years has been grit my teeth, put my head down, tell my team “I need to go underground for a while” then ruthlessly plough through the work alone – developing, testing, shooting and getting through all the “businessy” stuff.
This time, though, I’m going to do something about it – and make positive changes!
I need help!
I always tell people I have “the best team anyone could be lucky enough to have” (and, I swear, the funniest too!). But the roles they fill are largely not front end at what we call “HQ” where the recipe development, testing and shooting gets done for this website.
And I am drowning. Absolutely drowning.
I need to rebuild my team. But first, I need the time to clear my head so I can set a clear vision for what my goals are and the strategy to achieve them, the people I need to make it happen.
And so today, I’m writing this post as a means of holding myself accountable (to myself!) to action two things:
Hire a kick-ass assistant with a great attitude whose job description is to make my life easier. Apply here!
Take a break from publishing new recipes for [two to three] weeks. Use the time to recalibrate, have quiet time to think about the next steps for the business, what I want to do, my strengths and weaknesses (SWOT analysis!), catch up on sleep, lavish Dozer with attention (like every day😂), and recruit my new assistant (yes, recruiting well takes time, so much time!).
Triggered by a cookie 🍪
If you’re wondering where this all came from, it happened yesterday and it was triggered by a cookie.
Today’s post was supposed to be a chocolate chip cookie recipe that I’ve been working on feverishly for several weeks – and stupidly (now I realise!), rather publicly as I jokingly shared fails and successes on social media.
32 batches in, over 250 cookies baked to get to the cookie I was aiming for, tested then tweaked then re-tested to make it as foolproof as possible.
I’ve filmed it, photographed it, I’ve even mostly written the post up, complete with all the learnings, pitfalls, and confidently declared to Herron, my video editor – “We have take off! 🚀🍪🍪”
Then yesterday, I made it again, just to test it one last time – and it wasn’t what it was supposed to be. Did I mis-measure something? Is the oven temperature off? Did I put the wrong timer on?
This was the moment
I frantically browned more butter, intent on doing another batch, calculating in my head – “if I get it in the fridge by 1 pm, I can do the short-chill test batch at 6 pm then the proper batch at 11 pm, which will finish cooling by 12.30 am so I can pack it away”.
This was followed by the thought “OK, I’ll make the dough here at work, then do groceries for the team breakfast tomorrow, drop into the building site on the way back so I can catch Nigel before he leaves, then I better duck home and walk Dozer so he can cool down before dinner. Then I’ll bring the groceries back to the office and prep for breakfast tomorrow, take the cookie dough home to bake tonight. I need to speak to Inggrid about cashflow forecasting, and oh crap, when is the next RTM board meeting? Ohhhh…and I forgot I have that 5.30 appointment, how much will she hate me if I reschedule? 😭 And I mustn’t forget to do my slides for the team presentation tomorrow – and UGH, the air con at the office is broken, it’s so insanely hot, we need to find another location for the meeting. I need to tell everyone we’re moving, and I better get than air con fixed, asap!”
And that was the moment I realised – I need to stop. Recalibrate. Take a break.
And use my time to find an assistant!
I will be back!
So, I’m taking a break from publishing new recipes, for 2 to 3 weeks to catch up on work that has piled up, think about what my next steps are and the team I need to make it happen.
Next week is already full with an exciting TV filming day (more soon!) and we have applications piled up already for the job vacancy which, to be honest, was advertised a week ago. Sharing it on my website is one of many little things that have slipped my mind. 🙂
My new assistant is the first important step to initiate change around here. I do not take recruitment lightly. I am very protective of my team, and the culture I’ve worked so hard to create and maintain.
So we need to get started on the recruitment because it will take quite a bit of time to get through the applications. And in case you are wondering, yes I am getting help from a recruitment company, I am just approaching it a little differently this time. Because this business is unique, my team is unique, I am unique! We find we don’t fit in moulds – and that’s ok, we like being different.
If you made it this far, thank you for listening to my ramblings. To be honest, it’s been pretty therapeutic, forcing myself to put thoughts down that have been whirling like crazy in my head in a semi-orderly fashion!
Bear with me. I will be back! Including that darn choc chip cookie recipe. It will not defeat me! – Nagi x
PS I expect I won’t be able to stay off social media completely because it’s my digital playground. I’m not cool enough for TikTok but I’m frequently putting real-life snippets on Instagram and Facebook.
Life of Dozer
Video from the fundraiser at SASH Ryde that Dozer and I attended last week to help raise funds for Sophie’s Legacy! I know there’s smiles and laughter – and it really was SO great meeting everyone – but there is a serious message behind it so I hope you get a chance to watch it:
If you’d like to support this cause, you can donate here or sign the petition here to help lobby for change. But even just talking about it, as I say in the video, means we are raising awareness and with that comes the start of change.
Dozer and I thank you for your support. – N x
PS Yes, I dropped to the floor, grabbed Dozer and took this selfie not 2 seconds ago!
You deserve everything good – I hope you find that kick-ass assistant and the 3 of you (Dozer, You and assistant ) can forge ahead with all your wonderful cooking plans. I am constantly in awe of all you achieve. All the best.
Hi Nagi, Just stop and smell the roses and enjoy Dozer. I don’t know how you do so much and I appreciate all those wonderful recipes you create, so just tak all the time you need and find your
assistant. Love and Hugs xxx
Your amazing, now it’s time to take care of yourself and gorgeous Dozer of course ❤️
I will be working for you! I am a highly motivated, highly flexible individual. I may be a bit older than your desired profile; however, I can stand AND think on my feet for hours a day. I can get a job done that you haven’t even thought of yet. I can provide solutions to your complex and not-so-complex problems (geometry, trig and calc notwithstanding). I have held every role in my golf club for the last 15 years and I have been damn good at it. I love to eat, love to cook, can tell you whether a recipe is good or bad without touching a spoon and have been a fabulous personal secretary for two outstanding executives and I loved making them look GREAT! I am an excellent proofreader and I am the grammar QUEEN (or is that Diva?) I would love to be your GO TO, your RIGHT HAND. Sadly, I live on another continent. If you’re looking for a “Remotist”, I’m your gal/person/groupie.
Great resume!
Dear Nagi ,
so glad that you spoke out !
You are a great ,don’t put any pressure on yourself.
Your Team and your Fan’s will support you all the way !
In the meantime keep smiling .
Love ,Annemarie.❤️😊❤️
Rest up, enjoy some relaxing time. Dozer will love it too. You’re amazing and we don’t want you to burn out. Kerry 💕
Dear Nagi
You are such an inspiration. I love your recipes and your sense of humour. If anyone deserves a break it’s you. Thank you for all your hard work. My husband thanks you too! Loves it when I cook your food. 🙂
Dear Nagi and Dozer and staff: I am not up to applying for the position of assistant but I do want you to know you are all in my prayers for God’s best for you and to help you in every way possible you are a gift and I love your recipes and use my data to view your email often thank you thank you thank you and God bless you I’m using a microphone so I hope it makes sense bye for now. I’m so proud of you for taking care of yourself and thank you for making the world a better place by sharing your talents with all of us
Recipetineats has been my go to for recipes over many years. I’m a huge fan of Nagi. Thank you so much for recipes that are easy to follow, practical and super yummy
Dear Nagi, l have been concerned about the number of post from you recently, thinking that there were lots more than usual. PLEASE take care of you & Dozer. We love you soooo much. I hope you take take out to rest & recuperate with Dozer & that new assistant takes a load off you shoulders. We will all be here when you get back.
Just remember, your health & well being is paramount & we will survive not having a recipe a day. It will give us time to practice your recipes. Love you lassie. xxxx
Rest up Nagi as you are very precious to Dozer and so many of us ❤️ I look forward to more amazing recipes when you are ready 😊 Good luck with the recruitment!
Dearest Nagi,
I’ve been a fan for years, and have gifted your books to friends and family, because your recipes are reliable and delicious.
Being an entrepreneur is hard.
You are unique and special, in a very crowded space because of who you are as a person, your success was inevitable.
Please enjoy your sabbatical, and take the time you need to train your new assistant, where they’re making a real difference for you – don’t feel obligated to stick to the’ 2-3 week’ ideal you just put out there…do what you have to do to get yourselves to the place you need to be, so you can continue being your awesome self.
You’re an inspiration to so many. xo
I heartily endorse the path you are taking before you implode with your workload. Love everything you do and support a slow down, helps me keep up too. Only wish I was younger and had the skills to help you but best wishes in your quest and will happily wait till you are ready. Please take care of yourself we need you and love what you do.
Margie 💕
You are so precious to all of us Nagi and thank you for your always honest assessment of what’s going on in your life. Man I would love to be your assistant but I’ll manifest somebody wonderful to come along & give you the support you need. We love you & Dozer, take care of your beautiful self ❤️
Can’t remember how I found you but I’ve been following you for years. I’d love to be your assistant. I have 20 years experience in restaurants, but unfortunately I live in Canada.
Have you considered meditation?
We all love you…and Dozer, and we appreciate your humanity too. Take care of you and your personal needs and we’ll be more than happy to patiently wait for your yummy ideas.
Yup-full agreement with what everyone else has already said. Take as long as you need and we’ll be here when you get back. Take care of you xx
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and please take the time to rest and recharge.
I am pleased that you have recognised that something needs to change for your wellbeing. You give so much, so please take whatever you require as you are central to Dozer, your charity, team and RTE devoted readers
We will wait for you and Dozer. He will be happy to have a little more time with you (and someday you will look back and be glad you had some extra time for him) Find your assistant and rest a bit. We will be here when when you return!
Dear Nagi and Dozer and staff: I am not up to applying for the position of assistant but I do want you to know you are all in my prayers for God’s best for you and to help you in every way possible you are a gift and I love your recipes and use my data to view your email often thank you thank you thank you and God bless you I’m using a microphone so I hope it makes sense bye for now. I’m so proud of you for taking care of yourself and thank you for making the world a better place by sharing your talents with all of us