Sophie Coates

I am an 18 year old student currently studying English Literature and Creative Writing at Kingston University, London. I am originally from the New Forest and have been inspired by my university course to create a blog based on my love of food and cookery.

I recently spent a month travelling around Vietnam and fell in love with their attitude to cooking, so much so that I involved myself in a cooking course in order to learn more. Everything was so fresh and flavoursome and the whole cooking and eating experience became a communal/enjoyable thing - I wanted to bring this attitude to food back with me!

I love experimenting with food from other cultures though my blog, 'There Are No Sandwiches In Vietnam', focusses on relatively traditional cuisine.

As someone new to student life I am now acutely aware of the stuggles of balancing good food and other restraints, such as time, budget and the dreaded 'clear-up', therefore my aim is to provide simple recipes and advice to those in a similar position.

And as a final note, if you ever have the chance to visit Vietnam, do it! It has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life so far and I plan to have many more! If you do, do it properly! Trek and stay will the hill tribes in Sapa, ride on a night train, eat street food with locals, visit temples, pagodas and Ho Chi Minh's body and the Mikong Delta. Go to Ha Noi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An, Saigon and the beautiful island of Phu Quoc (just off Cambodia) - immerse yourself!