This Student Foodgram series has enabled Quench to showcase the best of Cardiff students’ creativity when it comes to cooking, photography and use of social media. We hope you’ve enjoyed discovering these accounts, where our fellow students’ passion for food shines through their Instagram, as much as we have! Maybe the series of interviews has even inspired you to start your own foodgram…Read what our final foodgrammer has to say below:

Words by Amira Banaulikar

How long have you had your foodgram for and what inspired you to start it?

I started my foodgram almost a year ago after travelling around for a bit. I love eating out and trying new places so I figured I may as well start one with all the content IÔÇÖd been generating, my personal InstagramÔÇÖs highlight was too full and I knew more was coming!

My parents have a restaurant back home so theyre big on cooking so when I got to uni I was pretty much unprepared. I intend to cook more but Ive pretty much been doing the same four dishes in a cycle with a few variations but hey, when you find something good

WhatÔÇÖs your favourite cuisine?

Thai food. But IÔÇÖm a sucker for Indian food since thatÔÇÖs home for me.

I absolutely love Thai food but since IÔÇÖve been in Cardiff IÔÇÖve been craving Indian food (you havenÔÇÖt lived until youÔÇÖve had a fish thali). I also really love brunch food – thatÔÇÖs what most of my Instagram was about in the beginning: avocado toasts, ice cream, and pancakes!

WhatÔÇÖs the best thing youÔÇÖve ever made?

Super basic but an omelette. One of my childhood friends back home has his own cook and he made the most amazing omelette ever. It was spicy and filled with so many different flavours! I struggled to explain to my parents what was in it and always ended up with a cheese and tomato omelette when ordering from the restaurant. As soon as I got to Cardiff I was having my omelette cravings and attempted it myself – turned out amazing. To be fair, maybe it was because IÔÇÖd eaten pasta and tomato sauce for a whole week but IÔÇÖm patting myself on the back for that one.

WhatÔÇÖs the secret to getting the best-looking snap for Instagram?

Standing up, ideally youÔÇÖve gone out with three or more friends so while they glare at you, ignore it and snap away! If itÔÇÖs a food stall, hold it up (usually itÔÇÖs ice cream or a donut, maybe even a hot dog) and have the stall / building in the background.

If you can, standing on a chair is the best way to get the gorgeous birdÔÇÖs eye view picture but I havenÔÇÖt been to a place in Cardiff where IÔÇÖve felt comfortable doing that yet! Alternatively, just pose with your food and ask your lovely (and patient) friend to take the picture.

Tell us about your worst kitchen disaster.

My worst kitchen disaster has got to be the first time I attempted to cook rice. My mother wasnÔÇÖt responding to my messages, IÔÇÖd made a banging Thai curry and needed some rice to go with it. I looked up a bunch of recipes and got the general idea of it (or did I?).

Cooking rice is nothing like cooking pasta – there wonÔÇÖt be any extra water to drain (I know, I sound like an idiot. ItÔÇÖs so obvious to most people but I was starving and not thinking things through). The recipe said to add more water if necessary and I kept thinking I didnÔÇÖt want my rice too dry. In the end, IÔÇÖd made wayyy too much and had three boxes filled with SUPER soggy disgusting rice. Luckily, most things can be saved and with another recipe I learned how to make ÔÇÿRice CakesÔÇÖ and ended up frying that rice, it wasnÔÇÖt great but it beat eating the soggy rice.

What would be your top 3 tips for someone wanting to start a foodgram?

1. Just go for it. IÔÇÖve had so many different Instagrams and itÔÇÖs so much fun! Stop thinking about doing it and just do it.
2. Tag! Tag places youÔÇÖve been to (they re-post usually, especially if itÔÇÖs a story) and the things you use!
3. Regular posts and get those hashtags going. I suck at this because IÔÇÖm constantly trying to not spend too much money and my whole experimenting thing has gone out the window. I promise IÔÇÖll be more original in my next semester.

Where is next on your hitlist?

The Ivy. I know itÔÇÖs going to be expensive and I probably wonÔÇÖt go there as my next stop but I hope to go there soon! My parents will definitely come visit me sometime soon and IÔÇÖll convince them (hopefully) to take me there! IÔÇÖm also keen to try out Mowgli Street Food but IÔÇÖd really love to go with my friends and itÔÇÖs hard getting our schedules to sync up.

Please share your best tip for eating out on a student budget!

ItÔÇÖs easier than you think. I absolutely love eating out and itÔÇÖs my way of treating myself. Of course, it can get difficult sometimes since I do prefer going with friends rather than alone and theyÔÇÖd rather spend their money on a night out. During fresher’s week I went out twice, so every time I didnÔÇÖt go out IÔÇÖd put aside however much money it wouldÔÇÖve cost me to go out (entry fee and approximately 2 shots). Have you ever snuck into a club? Not bought that extra shot? Managed to pull and someone else bought you your drink? Passed on a taxi and walked instead? ThatÔÇÖs all money saved for food, itÔÇÖs so worth it and youÔÇÖll notice it starts to add up.