Welcome

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My name is Janice Sutton and I am a writer who loves to cook!

 

I am also an internationally multi award-winning author and publisher (Magpie Publications) who is incredibly blessed to live in one of the most remote, breathtakingly beautiful corners of this earth - the island of Tasmania in Australia! 
 

I began my career as a BBC National Radio Researcher and Producer before moving to Australia many years ago, where unable to secure radio work, I sashayed (reluctantly then, but gladly now) into print; writing reviews and articles for magazines and regional papers, including writing my own monthly Arts Column for a time. Moving to Australia also provided me with the opportunity to complete a Masters Degree and to explore and develop a latent passion for design. 

 

I created this website for fellow foodies, gastronomic travellers and enthusiastic home cooks, as well as for those who love beautiful food books.

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I also created this website to share artful food images and delicious recipes, including a scattering of recipes from some of Tasmania - and Australia's - most celebrated chefs and talented food producers, many of whom have generously shared their cherished recipes for my books: Garlic Feast: delicious garlic-inspired recipes for the quintessential garlic lover; Tomato: know, sow, grow, feast + Winter Wild: a feast of dark delights (two editions).​

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MY BOOKS

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My first cookbook project was a collaboration with award-winning Tasmanian chef and cookbook author, Eloise Emmett: "The Real Food for Kids Cookbook" in 2015. It was this project, in addition to Ellie's encouragement, that gave me the confidence to tackle my first book project! Little did I know then that it would ignite a passion.

 

My first solo cookbook project was 'Garlic Feast: delicious garlic-inspired recipes for the quintessential garlic lover published in 2016 that was inspired by and celebrated Tasmania's iconic Koonya Garlic Festival of which I was a founding volunteer coordinator. The festival features expert talks and cooking masterclasses (my baby!) showcasing mouthwatering garlic inspired dishes created by a bevy of talented chefs from across the small and big island!

 

Garlic Feast will always hold a special place in my heart. Although it is a visually beautiful hardback coffee table book brimming with beautiful images, and it was my first book, at its heart lie the community stories and it's these stories that give the book a delightful authenticity. 

 

Garlic Feast went on to win international acclaim, circumnavigating the globe unaccompanied, showcasing at special culinary exhibitions held at the UNESCO building in Paris and the Alfred Nobel Museum in Sweden. Garlic Feast also won multiple national and international awards at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards and Independent Publisher Awards in New York, including a Bronze medal (Cookbooks) at the IPPY's in New York and Australia Cookbook of the Year (National Award) and Best Self Published Book (International Award) at the Gourmand Awards, as well as being shortlisted as a finalist for 'Best Cookbook of the Year in the World' across all categories. Garlic Feast was also later shortlisted in the top 300 Gourmand Winning Books spanning 25 Years during their quarter of a century celebrations. 

 

Garlic Feast was soon followed by another co-authored book, Tomato: know, sow, grow, feast created with acclaimed horticultural author Penny Woodward and celebrity Victorian gardener Karen Sutherland (Edible Eden Designs), a gardening and cookbook that won GOLD at the IPPY's in New York in 2020, as well as a Joint Laurel for 'Best Gardening Book' at the Australian Horticultural Industry Media Awards the same year. The book was part sponsored by the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens to celebrate its 200th anniversary. The foreword was written by former gardening guru, TV personality and Tasmanian treasuer, Peter Cundall and Rodney Dunn from Tasmania's multi award winning Agrarian Kitchen.

 

Then came my love letter to Tasmania: Winter Wild: a feast of dark delights that celebrates Mona and the City of Hobart's spectacular Dark Mofo Winter Feast as well as other exciting culinary events that take place during Tasmania's thrilling 'Off Season'.

 

The first edition was released in 2021, shortly thereafter winning 'Australia Food Book of the Year (Fighting Covid)' as well as GOLD for 'Best Coffee Table Book' and BRONZE for 'Best Cookbook' at the Independent Publisher Awards in New York in 2022, beating (how on earth did this happen?!!) The Rolling Stones book 'Unzipped' published by Thames and Hudson.

 

I thought this would be the ultimate pinnacle of my career BUT to my astonishment the 2nd revised and augmented edition of Winter Wild published in December 2025 managed to pull a rabbit out of the hat, incredibly winning the prestigious 'BEST BOOK IN THE WORLD' award in the 'Best of the Best Book' category (Publishing) at the 2025 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards held in Riyadh. This award though completely unexpected and hugely overwhelming (I cried), presented a genuine 'Rock n Roll' moment. Though immensely proud, even now I struggle to believe it and am just incredibly grateful to the Gourmand family for considering Winter Wild worthy of such an esteemed accolade.

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This was followed in June 2026 with a GOLD medal for 'Speciality Cookbook of the Year', an international award, at the prestigous Independent Publisher Awards in New York.

 

I cannot take sole credit however for my book awards! Without my beautiful husband Paul to support me, without the vision and skill of the other amazing creatives involved in my book projects, and without the more than 130 talented chefs and artisan food producers who have generously contributed their cherished recipes to my books over the years, my books would simply not exist! I consider the wins as much theirs as they are mine as the author, curator, artistic designer and publisher. 

 

I am delighted to share with you that two more books are in the offing (hopefully to be released in early 2027), a fun cocktail book inspired by MONA'S Dark Mofo Winter Festival, and the 2nd revised and augmented edition of Garlic Feast, that I am especially excited about.

 

I also have a couple of surprise non food book projects germinating in the ether, they may surprise you (those familiar with my work!), but watch this space!

 

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WHAT INSPIRES ME

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Food, Glorious Food!

Nothing gives me greater pleasure than creating and sharing delicious, home-cooked dishes with family and friends.

 

One of my greatest pleasures is also eating out, whether enjoying a casual picnic on the beach with friends; sharing piping hot freshly cooked fish and chips with my husband Paul overlooking Hobart's picturesque waterfront; firing up the 'Barbie' on a cold winter's night to devour a fire-cooked chook, or discovering new and exciting eateries and bars off and on the beaten track.

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Stories + Community

The inspiration for my books springs from the grassroots of the incredible community in which I live here on the ruggedly beautiful island of Tasmania.

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Slow Food

Nothing beats food that has been sown, grown, prepared, cooked and shared with love. Food that is locally and sustainably sourced, and that celebrates each season in all its scrumptious glory!

 

Tasmania - a 'Foodie's Paradise'!

Due to its cool temperate climate and pristine clean air and water, Tasmania grows and produces some of the freshest, healthiest and tastiest food on earth. Launceston our second largest city is a UNESCO city of gastronomy.

 

Tasmania also punches big for its diminutive demographic, with a wealth of 'foodie events', award-winning restaurants, top class chefs, cooks and gourmet food producers, offering world class paddock to plate dining and food experiences.

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Food dreams can come true in Tasmania!

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Gourmet Traveller

Hailing from Scotland in the Northern Hemisphere originally, and later growing up in England's picturesque West Country, I enjoyed numerous trips over the years to Europe and other far flung destinations. This instilled in me a love of travelling, and an appreciation for food inspired by many different cultures around the world. 

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Gratitude!

I do not take for-granted how blessed I am to live in such a glorious part of the world. Neither to I take for-granted the freedom I have been given later in life to indulge my creative passions.

 

It is an immense privilege for me to be able to share my books and food journey with you.

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Thank you for dropping in ...

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Janice x