GOES BACK IN TIME
AND DISHES ON FRIENDS, FOOD AND THE ROYAL WEDDING...
Imagine you could go back to a time before Facebook, microwaves and home delivery...
That’s the idea that journalist and author Annabel Crabb explores in her new ABC seven-part show Back In Time For Dinner. Each week, an Aussie family live, dress, work and eat exactly as we used to in the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and beyond. Think tripe to eat and a mangle to wash clothes!
‘This show just hit a number of my buttons,’ says Annabel, 45. ‘I’m interested in food and history so it seemed like a good way of telling a story in an
entertaining way.’
Who do you think will like your new show Back In Time For Dinner?
My three kids have seen some of the rough cuts and they just find it so fascinating. ‘What do you mean there was no such thing as the internet?’ I do think this is one of those shows that people of different ages will enjoy for different reasons. I know for me, I loved the ’50s episode because I like the design and the fashion, but I wouldn’t want to hang out there full-time. When we filmed the ’70s episode, that really hit me because it was a really emotional connection to childhood.
What’s your fave food from childhood?
As a ’70s child I have a lifelong affection for curried eggs, and I am still an unshaken fan of those. Also, the smoked oyster in a tin is delicious even though it’s embarrassing to like them.
You’re a multitasker across writing, TV and your podcast with good mate Leigh Sales. How do you fit it all in?
I like having variety, in my job and my life. The podcast [ Chat 10 Looks 3] with [ 7.30 host] Leigh really came about because we thought it’d be a fun way to talk about books, movies, food and anything else that interests us. It wasn’t really planned to be a big thing, it started out just us catching up and we just decided to record and post it.
It’s become much bigger than we ever imagined and its certainly allowed us to meet a bunch of other great people both online and in person.
We’re going to Orange for a show together this weekend.
How did you two become friends?
When I went to work for the ABC [as a political commentator] in 2009, I was really pregnant. Leigh, who I’d met once or twice, invited me to sit next to her and then invited me over to her house for a coffee. So we started
chatting and all of a sudden five hours had passed. We hit it off straight away in terms of our ability to chat about anything indefinitely. She’s a great mate.
How are you saved in each other’s phones?
She’s Sales in my phone and I’m pretty sure I’m saved as Crabb in hers.
You’ve just returned from the UK after covering the royal wedding. How was it?
It was incredible. I was in London when Charles and Camilla got married, and there certainly weren’t quite as many celebratory tea towels then. Harry and Meghan’s wedding was a lot higher on the old frenzy-ometer.
What’s downtime like for you?
I’ve got three little kids [Audrey, Elliot and Kate, with husband Jeremy Storer] so my downtime is just hanging out with them, but life’s a bit of a juggle at all times. I got off the plane from covering the wedding and went straight to do school reading groups. I was also at kitchen class, which was great fun. When I get the opportunity to help at the kid’s school, I love it.
What do you think people would be surprised to learn about you?
I can reverse a ute with a horse float attached no problem. I grew up on a farm, so I have a few dirty farm skills up my sleeve!