This Christmas I received the most incredible gift from my partner's brother, Mark.
Mark owns and runs the London based 3D design agency Chalk. Studios, and his gift to me was this beautiful 3D model of my very own Gourmet Gaming logo!
Merry Christmas to all our Gourmet Gaming fans! We hope you have a great holiday whatever you're up to!
Gourmet Gaming 'Game of the Year' 2014
Here at Gourmet Gaming we take a unique perspective on video games. Sometimes we're more concerned with consumables and medkits than frame rate, and we're proud of it. Tired of the same old games appearing on Game of the Year lists for the same old reasons? Then the Gourmet Gaming Game of the Year 2014 is for you!
1. Best Food of 2014: I Am Bread
“Man shall not live by bread alone” my butt. Who doesn’t like bread? Seriously? I’m allergic to dairy, but if I had a problem with wheat or gluten I’m not sure I could go on. No bread, no pasta, no cakes - you guys are the real heroes.
2. Worst Food of 2014: Oddworld: New’n’Tasty
Gourmet Gaming does not advocate nor recommend the consumption of Mudokons or Mudokon by-products. Especially not in all new glorious HD.
3. Best in-game coffee chain: D4 - “Cafe Swery 65”
If there’s one thing we know about Swery, the creator of the incredible Deadly Premonition and D4, it’s that this man likes to eat. Follow him on Twitter or Instagram for endless food and drink pictures as Swery eats his way from gaming convention to gaming convention (while somehow remaining a perfectly normal size).
We’d much rather visit the Cafe Swery 65 for our caffeine fix than a Starbucks any day. You could probably pick up a Sinner’s Sandwich while you’re there, or maybe even some The Pickles.
4. Best “Seinfeld” episode: Alien:Isolation - “The Alien”
There’s no denying it. The ship in Alien: Isolation has a cereal collection Jerry Seinfeld would be jealous of. They’re even all contained in automatic cereal dispensers of the future (science finally got it’s priorities straight). In fact, one can’t help but feel the entire premise of Alien: Isolation is pretty much an episode of Seinfeld. There’s definitely a case of “Hello, Newman” any time that xenomorph shows it’s face.
Make sure to keep an eye out for a Superman Easter egg (we’re pretty sure you’ll find one). Totally.
5. Best chef: Trevor Philips - Grand Theft Auto V
Bet you thought I was going to make a meth joke - too bad! I’m here to applaud Trevor Philips for his inspired fusion culinary skills. Foreskins AND eyelids? In the same bowl?! The man is a genius. The employees at Trevor Philips Industries headquarters are certainly being spoiled, it’s like a Ferrero Roche advert in there. Leftovers? Save some for me.
6. Best game to play while eating: Super Smash Bros. Wii U
I literally can't imagine anything more frustrating. I suck at Super Smash Bros., but at least when I lose (aka fall off the stage after struggling to jump for the last 10 minutes) I'll have a cupcake at hand to smush in the face of my opponent before storming out of the room.
7. Best Free-gan: Booker DeWitt - Bioshock: Infinite Complete Edition
Did you know Bioshock: Infinite is actually the world’s first Free-gan simulator?
Save the girl, wipe away the debt, yada-yada-yada - embrace the anti-consumerist ideology by picking up abandoned food throughout Columbia, foraging in bins for birthday cakes and beans. Booker DeWitt is a man of morals and morsels.
8. Best diet game: Dark Souls II
Looking to lose some weight? Forget to eat by getting entirely absorbed by the Dark Souls II diet system from From Software. Dark Souls II increases your chances of success by being a game you can’t pause, and allowing other players to invade your game at their very whim. Add a combat system that demands acute response time and involvement, with a detrimental penalty for death in cases of failure, and you’re sure to be in your size 000 pants in no time.
9. Best worst advertisement for an energy drink: Sunset Overdrive - Over Charge Delirium XT
A product that causes it’s consumers to turn into mindless, rage-filled creatures? Gaming allegory, anyone?
Games and energy drinks have long been intertwined. Is Sunset Overdrive the industry’s attempt to break gamers free from the shackles of the “gamer fuel” and “triangular corn snacks” identity? If so - give us a call.
10. Best use of food as positive reinforcement: Super Time Force
Rescuing fellow heroes, retrying over and over and over again, time travelling through TIME to save the world? I did it all for the cookie.
11. Most anticipated food of 2015: Bloodborne
“Blood Vials” and “Foul Smelling Pills” are the only two restorative items that populate the Bloodborne Wikia right now, but a combat system without blocking means there’s sure to be a wealth of consumables.
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey - Mulled Wine
Dreamfall: The Longest Journey is a game I’ve only briefly encountered. A few years ago I began playing it during my annual winter desire for point and click adventures, but believe I abandoned it to play Dracula: Origins. I hear wonderful things though, and this recipe for Mulled Wine has definitely encouraged me to finally play it.
Apparently, Mulled Wine is a speciality of Benrime's at the Journeyman Inn, and is traditionally served at the Arcadian celebration of the Winter Solstice with roast gipa.
Click 'Read More' for the full recipe!
Game Masters: The Exhibition at The National Museum Scotland
The Game Masters exhibition, originally created by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, has made it’s way to Scotland - the very country where, what is now officially the world’s most successfully video game, Grand Theft Auto, is created.
Opening on December 5th at the National Museum, I was fortunate enough to be invited along to the preview.
The exhibition caters to a wide range of gamers, and gaming tastes. From the old school, to the well loved classics, obscure favourites and MMOs. There are even Singstar and Rockband booths, as well as a Dance Central “arena”. There’s definitely something for everyone here to enjoy, from kids to core to casual, with details appealing to those simply with an interest in game design or art.
Starting with the Arcade Heroes, the exhibition moves through the timeline and genres of gaming. Arcade highlights include Elevator Action, which I assure you is a somewhat accurate description of the game, and Robotron which is, quite frankly, an absolute acid trip.
With Game Masters making its way to Scotland, it features a welcome nod to the institution of Scottish games with a retrospective of DMA, the Dundee based studio responsible for the acclaimed title Lemmings. DMA would later develop Grand Theft Auto, and ultimately form Edinburgh based studio giant, Rockstar North.
There is an obviously vast array of Nintendo classics including Super Mario Brothers and The Legend of Zelda, as well as a selection of the many incarnations of Sonic the Hedgehog which, as a Mega Drive owner in my childhood, brought back a million 3AM memories.
Fumito Ueda, designer of ICO and Shadow of the Colossus, receives his own dedicated display which I was delighted to see. There are some beautiful original concepts on show and both games are available to play, though sadly not in their HD re-releases.
Well known designers and contributors who have helped to define gaming receive their own honorary area, including work and wise words from the likes of Tim Schafer and Will Wright. Flipping through a copy of Will Wright's Sims design notebook, I was humbled to see a page which contained nothing but a tiny, crude drawing of a house blueprint, broken into a grid - I make the exact same drawings when designing my homes in The Sims.
Big names and big titles are one thing, but the finely curated selection of indie games and studios that fill the final hall are wonderful. It’s a real showcase of the variety of games, and ways to play we have today. Video games have simply never been more accessible, to both those looking to create and those looking to play. Video games, and how we play them, are constantly evolving and progressing.
The Game Masters exhibition is a testament to the fact that video games have finally found their place in a museum, as an expression of our culture, art and humanity.
Costume Quest - Barf Roll-Ups
With Gourmet Gaming's first Halloween several years ago we held a vote for which Costume Quest Creepy Treats we should recreate - the winners at the time were the Pizza Sundae, the Mossy Log and the Choconana. With the release of Costume Quest 2 we felt it was only right we pick one of the runner ups of that vote as part of our current seasonal posts! Stealthily healthy and super sour, Barf Roll-Ups have Halloween covered.
Click 'Read More' for the full recipe!
Don't Starve - Pumpkin Cookie
It's October! My favourite month! The colours, the light, the food, Halloween and of course - pumpkins. October sees a month of seasonal recipes from a selection of scary games on Gourmet Gaming. I've held off doing a Don't Starve post until now, as with all the amazing looking dishes available, Pumpkin Cookies were a clear winner.
Lightly spiced, soft and sweet these cookies are sure to warm you on a dark Autumn evening, keep the monsters at bay and most importantly restore you sanity.
Click 'Read More' for the full recipe!
Day 1 - Thursday
Breakfast: Egg, Bean & Mushroom Hotpot, Chocolate Croissant, Latte @ EAT
An early morning flight on 3 hours sleep called for a warm breakfast followed by breakfast dessert of a chocolate croissant and a latte. I was worried about when I’d next get to eat so I loaded up. I made a mess of the croissant as usual, creating a rain of pastry. I contemplated picking up the lost flakes of pastry off the table, but thought better of it. I regretted the decision the moment I got on the plane.
Snack: Nuts
Rounding up everyone for lunch was like herding cats. I resorted to some nuts I had brought with me for such a situation. It stopped me from eating my own hand, which I obviously needed for a weekend of gaming.
Lunch: Veggie Burger & Fries @ Nando’s
A few weeks ago I made my first ever trip to a Nando’s, I didn’t even think they provided anything but chicken but it turns out they have a pretty good vegetarian selection. I ordered the medium veggie burger with fries. When the dish arrived, and the waitress called it out, the words “that’s not chicken” were loudly announced by a member of our table. The restaurant turned to stare at the vegetarian, like I was there to rescue all the chickens from their mouths. Insensitive comments about my dietary choices were made. The burger was good.
Dinner: Nothing
I was impossibly full from a late lunch and then standing. While everyone else opted for a pub dinner, including a bowl of mashed potato formed into a phallus, I was suddenly pleased I’d decided not to eat. On our way to the pub I did see the world’s smallest bunch of bananas in a grocers, and this delighted me greatly. So much so I made a Cards Against Humanity card about them.
Day 2 - Friday
Breakfast: Muesli
The Kensington flat we rented for the weekend provided free cereal. I usually eat granola every day, so muesli seemed like a good replacement. There were a lot of flame raisins and chewing them made my jaw sore.
Lunch: Veggie Burger & Fries @ Byron Burger
Are you noticing a trend? I could happily eat burger and fries every day, and I almost got away with it too. Byron is a beautiful proper burger joint, and their veggie option was a classic portabello mushroom and goats cheese offering. Their fries were exceedingly good. Lunch was almost a write off when we discovered they were out of onion rings, but we survived. The owner sat at our table to split our bill for us when we were taking too long. It was a weird experience. But I forgave him as a provider of tasty burgers.
Snack: Skittles
I had a sudden desire for Skittles. D needed bandaids for his finger so we went to Boots. People questioned whether or not Boots, a pharmacy, would have Skittles. “Of course they will”, I said, “they’re a health food.”
Boots had Skittles. I refused to share. And mourned when I dropped a precious red one in the line for Alien: Isolation.
Dinner: Soft-shell Crab, Grilled Prawns, Thai Green Curry, Steamed Rice and Iced Black Tea with Lemon @ Addie’s Thai
Firstly, my iced tea was delicious. Everyone else foolishly opted for beer, and conversation swiftly moved to moon cups where we destroyed the dining experience for everyone within ear-shot. After D's failed attempt to get everyone to share a selection of dishes, myself and D chose 3 dishes to share between us. We cannot go to a restaurant that has soft-shell crab and not order the soft-shell crab, which was in the most amazing dry onion and curry sauce. The grilled prawns were butterflied and cooked to perfection, while the green curry was sweet and fragrant. It was genuinely some of the best Thai I’d ever had, and I’m glad I squeezed it in.
Day 3 - Saturday
Breakfast: Muesli
A creature of habit, I opted for muesli again. The same chewing occurred. I thought about pastries and was sad I didn’t have a coffee the size of my head. I thought about the Thai from the night before.
Lunch: Foxe’s Fruit Glacier, Roasted Carrot & Fennel, Feta Wrap with Harissa Hummus @ Crussh
Originally, I was told it would be at least another hour until lunch. We played Olli Olli 2 and I decided to eat my last Foxe’s fruit glacier I had pocketed which came with our bill from the meal at Addie’s Thai. Within 5 minutes the plan changed and everyone decided to go to the Pizza Express in Earl’s Court “as per tradition”. I saved my fruit glacier for later. Everything at Pizza Express had meat on it, and I can’t really eat too much cheese so I wandered to Crussh which had a surprising selection of lovely fresh foods not swimming in grease. I went for the carrot and feta wrap, and returned to Pizza Express where I sneaked my lunch in to sit with my friends. I ate my wrap and attracted guilty stares from pizza munchers. Everyone got dough balls, and I thought about the time I ate 20 dough balls, a pizza, and a slice of double chocolate cake on my first Pizza Express trip as a child, after which we went to see Independence Day and I was scared of the Aliens and the sheer amount of dough I had consumed only added to the horror.
I ate the rest of my fruit glacier for dessert.
Dinner: Innocent Veg Pot Rendang Noodles with Prawns, Coconut Macaroons, Nakd Cocoa Bits
It was decided that due to the fact we were going to the EGX afterparty at Namco Funscape that we should pick something quick up at the Tesco for dinner and eat at home. Myself and D went light with an Innocent veg noodle pot and added some prawns, D got chocolate eclairs for dessert and out of jealously and desperation I finally settled on some chocolate coconut macaroons and Nakd cocoa bits which were on offer. When we got home, food didn’t happen right away so I ate most of the Nakd cocoa bits to keep my 'hanger' at bay. Eventually I caved and cooked the noodles as I became too hungry. I ate alone before everyone else. I had a chocolate coconut macaroon and a cup of tea after, and decided that wasn’t the best dessert. I envied the chocolate eclair even more.
Day 4 - Sunday
Breakfast: Porridge and Latte @ Starbuck’s
After attending EGX in the morning, and by attending I mean waiting on the sofas by DOTA, or the “Dofas” as they became known, for the others to arrive, the queues were just too big and we had afternoon plans. We decided to leave and find breakfast. It was surprising how small and obviously packed all the cafes were along Earl’s Court so we had to resort to a Starbucks. I was left with the only option of porridge and a latte, which was rather decent though I somehow managed to get honey all down my t-shirt and had to change in the disabled bathroom.
The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask - Chateau Romani
In the very early, naive days of Gourmet Gaming I created a less than inspired Lon-Lon Milk cocktail which prompted my very first wave of complaints. "Lon-Lon Milk is just milk!", "Alcoholic milk is Chateau Romani!" you all cried, and I listened. My limited Zelda knowledge (as far as I'm concerned the best Zelda game is Link's Awakening) and my desire for a milky drink for my party left me embarrassed among my peers, so I thought it was about time I set things straight. Milky, nutty, spiced, sweet and sharp, this Chateau Romani is sure to restore all your hearts and boost your magic, so get your Rupees ready.
Chateau Romani label by txuspeKH on DeviantArt - I was going to make my own but this one was perfect already!
Click 'Read More' for the full recipe!
The Sims - Autumn Salad
Gourmet Gaming has a long standing affection for The Sims. As a young teen with my cousin planning our amazing apartment we were going to live in and the parties we were going to throw (as if), to the creepier end of the spectrum of trying to figure out what my children may look like with the various people I may had considered future partners, and creating scale replicas of every home I've ever lived in (this is what you do when you study architecture for 4 years). I'll admit to even being a Sims-Snob, looking down on those who remove ladders from pools or create doorless rooms. If there's one food that's been consistent across every incarnation of the games, it's the Autumn Salad. Given the Autumnal launch date for The Sims 4, I think it's only fitting we give a seasonal twist to the first post of September.
Click 'Read More' for the full recipe!
Alan Wake – Dreamy Cherry Pie & Drowning in Darkness Coffee
I'm a long time David Lynch fan, and surprisingly Lynch is probably one the biggest influences on videogames, and in particular, the survival horror genre. I've waited almost 10 years for a definitive edition of Twin Peaks to be released, and now it's finally available on Bluray. Coincidentally, being a David Lynch fan means being a fan of cherry pie, and damn fine coffee. Pie and coffee crop up as homage to Lynch in numerous survival horror games, but the most iconic for me is the Dreamy Cherry Pie available at Triple D's Oh Deer Diner in Brightfalls, from the vastly underrated Alan Wake. Served with a blacker than black Drowning in Darkness Coffee, of course.
Click 'Read More' for the full recipe!
Edinburgh Foodies Festival 2014
“Foodies Festival, the UK’s largest celebration of food & drink, returns home to Edinburgh this weekend for its biggest festival yet, transforming Inverleith Park into a culinary paradise filled with Scotland’s finest produce, street food, and culinary masters.
Having started as a small event in Edinburgh eight years ago the festival has now grown into Scotland’s most loved food and drink event, with over 200 artisan producers, pop-up restaurants, international street food and Scotland's culinary maestros for visitors to tuck into.”
Weather isn't the kindest in Edinburgh, and one might think trying to hold an outdoor food festival, even in the month of August, is a risk – and indeed it is. Summer is a day on, day off affair in Scotland, with one day of blissful sunshine being followed by a day of torrential rain, followed by a day of sunshine and so the pattern goes. Fortunately for us, Saturday was a day of sunshine. And as indicated by the rather epic queues on arrival, we thought we'd venture out to find our lunch at the Foodies Festival.
Our first stop saw us tuck into some grilled halloumi and hummus ciabatta as well as barbequed racks (and I mean racks) of beef and lamb. One man left with a plate of neolithic proportions that resembled a meal Fred Flintstone might have enjoyed.
Searching for something sweet, we turned to homemade marshmallows from Tipsy Mallows, with a peanut-butter and chocolate creation, as well as local artisan (and Stay Puft fan) The Marshmallow Lady for her Oreo cookie delights.
Jugs of Pimm's were the order of an unexpectedly sunny afternoon, despite my jealously at those wandering around with coconuts adorned with straws and cocktail umbrellas.
Lavazza handed out bags of the most adorable tiny samples of their amazing coffee (as an Italian, I put nothing else in my espresso maker) and we received bags of Walker's new Market Deli range of gourmet crisps.
We also brought home a collection of Kwan's Chinese seasonings and sauces, a regular stop on the Foodie Festival visit and local staple of our kitchen cupboard.
Our final stop was at Heavenly Ice-Cream where I had a scoop of Equi's 'Belgian chocolate' (obviously) and 'cherry Maria'. I managed to steal a taste of the most chocolate chip laden 'mint choc-chip' I've ever seen too. Inedible treats included an adorable puppy in a bag.
Having somehow never been to a food festival before, it was an incredible feast of foods from all cultures and kinds, with an answer for whatever you fancy. Local and international brands brought together for a delicious day of discovery, I'll definitely be back.
The Foodies Festival also offers masterclasses and presentations by famous chefs as well as a VIP treatment. If you're in the United Kingdom, the next stops are at Battersea Park and Oxford South Parks.
Thank you to everyone who sent in a questions, I’ve tried my best to answer them and I hope you find it interesting! It’s always a pleasure talking with each of you.
There will be no recipe this week as I’m away on my first summer holiday in over 10 years - so the next update will be on my return at the start of August. I’ll also be attending and covering the Edinburgh Foodies Festival in August, and then I’ll be in London for EGX in September. Maybe I’ll meet some of you there!
Don’t forget, you can always follow Gourmet Gaming on Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with my travels and happenings - there’s often tasty food pictures!
Max Reyes asked:
Tell us a little bit about the chef behind the blog!
My name is Daniella and I am a 26 year old female. I’m originally from Ireland, but I swiftly escaped and moved to London in my late teens where I studied Illustration. I soon moved to Edinburgh, where I currently live, and have worked as a digital designer and in the games industry on several big projects you might have played. I have no formal cookery training, other than an Italian mom (standard). Games have been in my life for as long as I can remember, and so has eating - I used to be pretty chubby in my younger years. I had a nap one day and dreamed of this blog, so I made it, and now you are reading this because 50,000 people decided the blog was pretty cool too. Thanks!
Clayton Foster asked:
What’s your favorite recipe of yours to make?
I pretty much learned to cook as I made things for the blog - so I regularly make quite a few of the recipes, such as Lava Cookies, Koopasta, Mac’n’Cheese and Pizza. My Portal Cake 2.0 which was my birthday cake this year is the tastiest thing I’ve eaten in a long time.
Sarah Smith asked:
What game food do you absolutely refuse to make?
I feel like making anything from Cooking Mama would be cheating! But apart from that, nothing is off limits. Not even a Slowpoke tail…
David Anderson asked:
What’s your favourite colour?
It’s probably a nice Peacock Blue or French Grey.
thatdarnrabbit asked:
What is your favorite recipe to make on a rainy day?
If it’s raining and cold, I will likely want carbs and or cheese - so I’ll usually load up on Mac’n’Cheese (one of my all time favourite foods). It should be known that I hate rain more than anything else in the world ever. Especially Edinburgh rain because it is relentless. Rain calls for anything that may possibly cancel the bad mood it brings on.
Markatansky asked:
Are there any game dishes you wish you could make but can’t because they’re not humanly possible?
There are some game dishes which are obviously harder to recreate than others, but as I learn more and more dishes seem possible. I don’t think any would be impossible. Impossible isn’t usually a word I believe it.
Anonymus asked:
Favorite childhood videogame?
My favourite game when I was kid was Mickey’s Castle of Illusion followed closely by World of Illusion on the Sega Megadrive. It was the first game I ever completed age 6 or 7, and I repeatedly played both of them. It was awesome to play the remastered version on Xbox 360, it was like reliving my childhood how I imagined it - which to be honest is the perk of HD versions or remasters of older games on newer systems.
beatcreep asked:
Whats your favorite type of cuisine to make/eat?
That’s a very difficult one because I love all food all the time, but I do like to stick to a theme when I’m making a meal. I’ve grown up with Italian food, so that comforts me the most I think. I’m weirdly quite good at cooking Asian cuisine too. Burgers. And fries. If it’s fried, I will eat it. Fried. Fried is my favourite type of cuisine to eat. It totally counts as a cuisine.
unknowableunknown asked:
What’s one food/drink you’ve tried really hard to make but just couldn’t get right? Did you ever figure it out? How did you deal with the frustration of repeated failure?
There are a lot of foods I’ve tried and failed to make, often at the last minute (funny that…) Some, I’ve figured out over time, by rethinking the process and learning from what failed. Some foods I just can’t seem to ever get right - like the Boiled Creme Tart from Skyrim. It can be very, very disheartening and depressing - as with all failure. But how you deal with failure is what’s important, not whether or not you’ve failed. I just refuse to give up, take a step back, and try again later.
Portal – The Cake 2.0
It was my birthday on Tuesday and I wanted to bake myself a pretty special cake – but I was at a loss as to which one. I asked the community on Facebook and Twitter what video game cake was their favourite, and the response was naturally a resounding “The Cake is a Lie”. Although this was my first recipe on Gourmet Gaming, I felt perhaps it was apt to revisit it and see how far I've come since the blog started, especially since I hit 50,000 Tumblr followers last week. Oh, so many rookie mistakes! Why was the original cake chocolate – it's obviously black forest (coincidentally, also my favourite)! So, as a gift to both myself and all of you, please enjoy this updated recipe for Portal Cake - forever sans fish shaped garnishes.
Click 'Read More' for the full recipe!
I can't believe it, but 3 years (and 1 year of hiatus) later Gourmet Gaming has passed 50K followers. I'd like to say a huge thank you to all of you for loving the blog, talking with me, and sharing in it. I feel very lucky to have such a positive, contributive and passionate group of followers.
As part of celebrating Gourmet Gaming passing 50,000 Tumblr followers I've decided to do a Q&A post.
If you have any questions about food, video games or myself you can send me a message - http://www.gourmetgaming.co.uk/ask and I'll post my responses to some of them next week.
Thank you again. I could never have imagined 50,000 people who got as hungry as I did playing video games. <3
BioShock: Infinite – Hot Dog
It was recently Independence Day in the good ol' US of A. And, like anyone who lives outside the USA, I thought it featured Will Smith, aliens and Jeff Goldblum (like all the best stories). But actually, it's an important day of inspiration for all people of the world in its message – the moral sense of rights and equality for all people. Once such game that touched on these important issues, albeit in an alternate and much later time, was BioShock Infinite. So I thought what more fitting than to feature an all American food from a game that recently reminded us of how much progress we've made, but yet how far we still have to go.
Click 'Read More' for the full recipe!
The Legend of Zelda – Red Potion
I haven't been feeling too well the past few days. I've been home from work, feeling restless and tired – you could say I feel a little empty. Lacking in something. It's also impossibly hot at the moment, and heat and ills don't go well together. So when thinking about what I could do to make myself feel better, I found myself seeking comfort. I wanted a potion that was a total cure-all – so who better to turn to than Link. This refreshing fruit juice smoothie is full of all that good stuff you need to help refill your hearts.
Click 'Read More' for the full recipe!