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 decided to sashay into print, writing reviews and articles for magazines and regional papers, including having 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 my 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 first cookbook project was a collaboration with award-winning Tasmanian chef and cookbook author, Eloise Emmett: "The Real Food for Kids Cookbook" in 2015. This project gave me the confidence, momentum and motivation to tackle my first book!

 

My first solo cookbook project was 'Garlic Feast: delicious garlic-inspired recipes for the quintessential garlic lover that was spawned by and celebrated Tasmania's now iconic Koonya Garlic Festival of which I was a founding coordinator. It also happens to be Australia's longest running Garlic Festival.

 

Garlic Feast will always hold a special place in my heart. Although it is a visually beautiful hardback coffee table book brimming with stunning images, its the community stories at its heart that makes the book special and that gives the book a delightful authenticity, vibrancy and gravitas!

 

Much to my and the Koonya Garlic Festival's unexpected delight Garlic Feast went on to win international acclaim. The book circumnavigated the globe unbidden, showcasing at special exhibitions held at the UNESCO building in Paris and the Alfred Nobel Museum in Sweden, as well as winning multiple national and international awards at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards and Independent Publisher Awards in New York, including Australia Cookbook of the Year! 

 

Garlic Feast was soon followed by another co-authored book, Tomato: know, sow, grow, feast created with well known 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 and TV personality, 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'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 soon after 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 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 was completely unexpected and hugely overwhelming, but most of all, it presented a genuine 'Rock n Roll' moment. Though proud, I still struggle to believe it! I am incredibly grateful to the Gourmand family for considering Winter Wild worthy of such an esteemed accolade.

 

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, the books would simply not exist!. 

 

I am delighted to share with you though, 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. I also have a surprise non food book project germinating in the ether! 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