Like we've said before, having such a small team means that we feel very much like a family - and it just so happens that Foodspotting's baby of the family is none other than Amy Cao aka Amy Blogs Chow, our resident expert video producer and community BFF.
We've taken today's blog space and used it for the absolute best reason we can think of: to show you a little more of who Amy really is, and shed some light on why we all love her to bits.
Help us wish Amy a very happy birthday!
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What's one thing that you want people to know about you?
I am pretty good at remembering names and faces. I also really, really want a puppy.
What's the most special food-related moment for you?
Boston University is my alma mater, and I must say that we had a wonderful dining hall in West Campus. Food - HOT food - was available all day and as far as I and my pre-loaded dining card was concerned everything was free. OK, it wasn't free, but I did enjoy spending hours sampling food from the various stations after a full day of classes.
And what was the most memorable dish you had during your samples?
Monte Cristo! What a fancy name for a fried ham and cheese sandwich. Also, pureed butternut squash. After trying it once, I began looking for it every year around Thanksgiving. They must have added a lot of sugar to it, it was so sweet - like dessert.
What about favourite dish/most memorable meal period?
Favorite dish of all time? May I just list my favorite foods? If you follow me on Foodspotting, you'll see I eat many almond croissants and love banana desserts, pork chops, brunch foods, lattes, cheeseburgers, cupcakes, deviled eggs (follow my guide), and sushi!
You've done tons of traveling - what was life changing?
Getting hit by a car in Athens, Greece during a trip there six years ago and spending three months lying on my back in a hospital bed there. The gentleman who hit me actually shares the same birth date as me, so today is his birthday too, actually. It was an interesting three months, but I made a full recovery and the kindness shown to me during that time by the people I met will always stay with me.
Well, we're all super glad you're okay! Any major revelations, life lessons, words to live by that you decided on during that time?
Of course - many, but the one that immediately comes to mind is: The only constant thing is change, so the bad often will pass, but so will the good. Don't take anything for granted, as they say.
And car-crash free, where in the world will Amy Cao end up next?
I'm planning to travel around Italy this summer. Hopefully Southeast Asia and Melbourne, Australia are on the horizon, too.
If you weren't Foodspotting, what would you be doing?
I was writing about food before Foodspotting, so I imagine I would still be working in a food-related field if I was not working at Foodspotting. That said, I feel lucky to work with my team. It's lonely going at it - even something you really love - alone.
Most dangerous feat you've ever accomplished?
I don't like danger, so I avoid it at all costs. I kinda don't want to get hit by a car again.
Pet peeve?
People who are rude to waiters! Rude people in general.
Okay, on to happy things - favourite songs to dance to?
My new favorite song is "Club Can't Handle Me" by Flo Rida. It's from the Step Up 3D soundtrack, so it's very much an acquired taste unless you're great, in which case you'll love it right away.
Photo taken in the back of a pickup truck in Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador.
Taken using Sony's cool panoramic sweep feature.
Taken using the Gourmet setting, designed for food photography.
