Some people like to countdown to Eurovision, but you prefer a Chow Down! Tell us about the concept and how it came into being on your blog Don’t boil the sauce!? The Chow Down to Eurovision started as a way of combining two great passions, Eurovision and cooking. Since 2013, I’ve presented a dish from each competing country in the Eurovision Song Contest – that’s 116 dishes to date – and just like in the real contest, Chow Down readers have the opportunity to vote for their favourite dish.
Are you a massive Eurovision fan? I’m not sure if 10 Eurovision tattoos make you a massive fan?
Yes, I think it does. I began watching the contest in 1999 and have been hooked ever since. My devotion to Eurovision saw me crowned runner-up Fan Of The Year worldwide at ESCtoday.com in 2005 and because the title was never re-contested, I’m hanging onto that honour!
Your Eurovision passion has certainly taken you places… This year, in Stockholm, will be my third contest in the arena. Last year I had the opportunity to interview many of the artists and share that experience through my YouTube channel.
Speaking of this year’s Eurovision, when will your Chow Down kick off and what can we expect? 2016 will see a change in format as I focus on the food culture of Eurovision from Stockholm for the two weeks of the contest, rather than 43 separate dishes. There will also be a couple of special features [think breakfast dishes for Aussie fans watching the SBS broadcast live at 5am.]
Jason-Scott Watkins in Vienna for the Eurovision Song Contest 2015. Source: Jason Watkins
How will you be celebrating Dami Im's track Sound of Silence? I have a special show-stopper chocolate cake inspired by Dami Im. There is a whole army, or should I say DamiArmy, of fondant!
Which country, in your eyes, should take out the 2016 Eurovision crown? The last time France won the contest was in 1977 so it would be great if they could gain another victory... And it would be wonderful to have two weeks in France eating cheese [next year]!
Do you have a favourite Eurovision dish you’ve cooked over the years? In 2014 I made a cake of the contest logo. In true Eurovision style, it was adorned with pyrotechnics, but while taking the photos it caught on fire! Though if there had to be only one winner it would be Portugal’s pork belly and clams from 2014.
What does your ideal viewing party look like? My ideal viewing party, when not in the arena, is rugged up alone for the chilly Melbourne 5am start to watch the contest live. The evening repeat of the show is when the party kicks off and friends come over to share various dishes and vote for who we want to be the winner.
#DamiArmy gets cakey! Source: Jason Watkins
The 2014 pyrotechnic cake itself, in all it's fiery glory. Source: Jason Watkins
The Portugal-inspired pork belly and clams dish. Source: Jason Watkins
Catch the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest coverage on SBS from Wednesday May 11 to Sunday 15 May. Visit sbs.com.au/eurovision to find out more and get involved. SBS Eurovision Radio, your non-stop soundtrack to the world's biggest song contest, is broadcasting 24 hours a day through to 15 May.
