Three years! Can you believe I’ve been at this for three years?! The last year especially has been great – I feel like I’ve met more readers in person than ever before and I think Twitter has helped a lot with that. What else has happened? Well, we got married! We went to Wales! We went to Brussels! We went to Rome! It was a big past year and this year is looking set to match it.
This blogging milestone really snuck up on me and it was last week when I realised it was already mid-May and what in the world was I going to do to celebrate this? Well, how about holding a giveaway; yes, I’m giving away stuff – foodstuffs that I really enjoy and hope that you will too. No company sponsored this – it’s all out of my own pocket.
Here’s what’s definitely in the food giveaway package:
A tin of limited edition garlic Spam, as seen in this post. It’s Monty Python themed!
A jar of Tean’s Gourmet crispy prawn chili, as featured here in this post.
In addition, I’m going to personalise the box of goodies for the winner with a few selected extras, depending on where you’re located: what I mean is, if you’re in London, I doubt you want a jar of Marmite, for example. I’ve already got ideas of what to send if you’re in the UK or Europe, or you’re from the rest of the world, and I’ll be in contact with the winner to discuss this.
To be in with a chance to win it all, just leave a comment! It can be absolutely anything; heck, just drop by and say hi – I know there are a few of you out there and it would be great to “meet” you all! I’ll draw one of the comments randomly and that commenter will have all of this posted to them. The draw will take place on Monday, 31 May at 22:00 (BST) and I’ll announce the result soon after. I’ll leave the comments open so you can still say hi but of course, you won’t be eligible for the draw (sad face).
Thanks again to all the Tamarind and Thyme readers out there and I hope to “meet” more of you this upcoming year!
Tamarind and Thyme 
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 00:18
Congrats froma reader.in Montana… Keep ’em coming! Have fun…Pam
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 00:22
happy bday & many more!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 00:25
Congratulations on your blogiversary! It must be a full 20 (give or take) years since I last tasted Spam – I was part of a group detailed to provide ‘catering’ to the bands at one of the Oxford University balls, and the starring act was Bad Manners, who’d specifically requested Spam. We were provided with a ludicrously huge catering tin, which required several hands and tin openers to penetrate, before we slid the gelatinous mess onto a chopping board, to much gagging all round! It was ceremoniously sliced and placed between 2 slices of thick white (each with a thick layer of ‘spread’. No salad, condiments or other fripperies) I tasted a sliver, and it put me off for life. The idea of Spam with ‘stinky French garlic’, however, appeals massively! Maybe it’s the time of night after a few drinks; maybe it’s because I have a broader palate these days (back then I wouldn’t have contemplated sashimi, pigs’ trotters or rare meat!).
Oh, and Buster Bloodvessel spoke to me afterwards and declared them the best Spam sandwiches he’d ever eaten. Fame. eh?!!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 00:34
Happy blogiversary! I didn’t know it had been 3 years. It’s so great to know that this anniversary caps off such a fantastic year for you. You have definitely achieved great success and its in no small part because you created a blog for something you are truly passionate about. Congrats 🙂
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 00:39
how time flies! happy blog birthday!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 00:56
Hooray for birthdays! And three years, that’s a long damn time. There should be a set of medals you begin to receive after three years of blogging. I’ll see what I can do about that.
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 01:21
Hi! Congratulations from Tokyo 🙂 I’ve been following your blog for more than a year and always love all your food pictures and recipes!It’s really inspiring! btw. I love spicy stuff….am drooling over that crispy prawn chili sauce now…hungry
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 06:13
Happy Anniversary!
(and, don’t bother about the package, if I win; I’ll let you buy the tea at Polly’s if you’re ever in Salisbury!)
XX
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 06:53
Congratulations from Barcelona!! I discover your blog not long ago but I think it is really refresing.
Cheers for another three and more years to come!!
MG
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 07:02
Anniversarial congratulations for a foodblog that makes me smile, hungrily.
Although I must admit to being a wee bit disappointed that the Spam sarnies I made for Buster and his crew at Newcastle Poly back in ’90 were only second-best, at best.
P’raps they have better Spam at posh universities.
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 07:59
happy third birthday and thanks for feeding my eyes. : )
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 08:21
I honestly would have left a comment even if no incentive!
I really enjoy your blog and 3 years is a huge achievement! Congratulations!!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 08:33
Congrats from a barge on the Thames! After years of rental flats with horrible electric hobs, this boat has been the first place where I can turn up the gas enough to cook properly with a wok – I first came to your blog for recipes, as well as info about Oriental City (RIP). Your hard work is much appreciated – here’s to many more years!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 08:57
Happy Birthday !!!!!!
Enjoy many more years of blogging !!!!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 09:40
Hello and congratulations.
All I can say is this is one of two sites that inspired me to start my own foodblog and the main source of reference for all my London nommings. It makes me hungry.
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 10:04
Happy anniversary! And hopefully WordPress won’t present me with a blank page _this_ time 🙂
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 10:36
Happy blogibirthday, dear Su-Lin!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 10:44
Congratulations, and thanks for all your hard work, Su-Lin! Honestly, I don’t know how you keep up with it all. Although we’ve never met, I think of you as a wonderful friend (creeeeeeepy, eh? 😉 ), who’s always there to steer me towards the good eats. It seems like an age ago since my T&T initiation happened: that picture of the Sichuan restaurant’s sweet and sour aubergine you posted so many moons ago. It had my eyeballs out on stalks, cartoon-style, and that very night I took my mum out for our very own Sichuan aubergine feast. Since then, I’ve been back oooh, at least 15 times, and love it more with every mouthful. Your latest tip of the salted-yolk corn is a winner, too. And the drifting fragrance chicken, and the hot pot, and the Guangong beef and the……
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve changed my plans for the eveing based on one of your sterling recommendations, from Little Lamb and Pacific Plaza to Rita’s Samosas and the Korean food festival. You’re so brilliant, and I don’t say it nearly enough. Thank you. Now, where should I go for dinner tonight?
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 10:59
Congrats Su-lin! Happy Blogoversary!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 11:09
Happy Birthday!
Keep up the good work, definitely one of the best foodie blogs out there! 🙂
Charlie
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 11:35
Congratulations!!! I love your blog for its ideas, stories and lovely pictures!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 11:36
Happy blog-a-versary from over in Dublin! 🙂
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 12:03
Happy anniversary! I’m very rarely in London these days but enjoy the vicarious eating pleasures in your blog. Would you like me to send you some haggis?
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 13:01
Congratulations!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 13:08
Congratulations! I’ve just discovered you thanks to those nice people at the Times – looking forward to exploring the world of Tamarind and Thyme…
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 13:50
aww happy birthday! long time reader here, first time commenter! i’ve tried lots of your recipes, one of my faves during this hot weather is your thai style salad with steak. delish!
I have a bunch of food blogs saved that i visit everyday and always relish a new post on this blog, a little light ‘bings’ on in my head that goes ‘yay more tammy’ haha! cheers to more recipes and reviews!
Suzanne, Ireland
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 14:10
Congratulations on your third anniversary. Really enjoy reading the mix of recipes and restaurant reviews.
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 15:09
Happy Birthday!
Love the blog
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 15:23
Congratulations! looking forward to reading your blog in many more years to come!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 16:10
Congrats!! You’ve came a long way!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 16:39
Happy blog birthday! Yours is always such a pleasure to read.
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 17:13
Wow, three years, that’s amazing. I felt such a sense of achievement at my first blogiversary, I’m in awe at those who’ve been at it so much longer and yet still keep it fresh, interesting and eminently readable!
Congratulations!!!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 17:53
Congratulations on the milestone – I have been enjoying reading your blog for what seems like a long time now!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 18:30
Happy anniversary!
I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. Because I love eating Asian food and learning about new things. I never heard of roti john for instance until you mentioned it. I’m from the northeast of London by the way!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 20:22
happy birthday! i’m going to be visiting london for a week soon, and i was wondering if you could give me a few restaurant recommendations (perhaps 1 or 2 in varying price ranges). thanks!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 21:47
Happy Blog Bday!
PS I love SPAM :@)
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 22:08
well done! I really love T&T. Happy anniversary!
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 22:33
Congrats! You always have yummy food pics. =)
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 23:38
love this blog, i hope you will carry on for at least another 3 yrs.
chris
Thu, 27 May, 2010 at 23:43
Hello Su-Lin! Long time reader & lurker, finally saying hi… Happy blog anniversary, and keep up the great work! I really appreciate the good restaurant reviews, it’s very useful every time I venture into London and need to find a place to eat. I also like that you usually post good/interesting links in your Twitter feeds…
Fri, 28 May, 2010 at 00:01
Ooooh congrats on three years of blogging! 🙂
Fri, 28 May, 2010 at 05:30
Happy blog birthday!! 🙂
Fri, 28 May, 2010 at 11:12
sooo want the giveaway!
Fri, 28 May, 2010 at 15:47
Hey Su-Lin – Happy Blogga-versary! Three years is an eternity in the blogging world. Best wishes for many more.
Fri, 28 May, 2010 at 16:34
Oh you are such a veteran, congratulations!!! I can’t wait to celebrate my first anniversary 🙂 I want the spam!! Guess what I put the crispy prawns on everything, 2 cans/week 😦
Fri, 28 May, 2010 at 19:29
Hello Su-Lin, and happy blogoversary! I found your blog only recently (linked from Food Stories’ Spam post) but am delighted to discover a food cousin of sorts: my family’s from Malaysia (Ipoh & Penang), I was born in Singapore, lived in the UK for a few years, and now live in Canada. Bon appetit and makan-makan!
Fri, 28 May, 2010 at 22:21
Hearty congrats!
Sat, 29 May, 2010 at 17:14
A very belated congratulations – always a great read!
Sun, 30 May, 2010 at 00:39
Three years – have I been blog-stalking you nearly that long? I think so, yes. Congratulations! And keep at it. Every time I read you, it saves me the airfare I’d spend escaping to London for real; you’re a friendly escape and I am living vicariously through each of your posts. All the best!
Sun, 30 May, 2010 at 00:55
happy 3rd anniversary, T&T!! you just reminded me that my own blog anniversary is coming up shortly. how time flies!
Sun, 30 May, 2010 at 09:40
Only started reading your blog about 6 months ago, but picked up lots of great ideas that I inflict on my wife regularly! Keep going!
Michael
Sun, 30 May, 2010 at 20:56
Happy Blogoversary! 3 years passes so quickly!
Mmmm spam fritters with prawn chilli noodles, yum!
Mon, 31 May, 2010 at 00:44
Happy Birthday Blog! And there’s nothing wrong with a nice jar of Marmite.
Mon, 31 May, 2010 at 02:22
Hey, a bunch of my friends and me are going off to have lunch at Pacific Plaza on Saturday because of your post about it, and our mourning the loss of Oriental City.
Mon, 31 May, 2010 at 02:31
congrats SuLin. i fell like singing Spam…Spam …Spam…Spam…
Mon, 31 May, 2010 at 16:27
Happy Birthday! Well, blog birthday or whatever it’s called nowadays. That crispy prawn chilli – I’d forgotten about that and I want it!
Mon, 31 May, 2010 at 22:01
Right, I’m drawing the winner now and comments after this one will not be eligible for the draw. Sorry!
Mon, 31 May, 2010 at 22:05
[…] the use of a random number generator, I’ve drawn #10 as the winner – congratulations, Steve Fox! I’ll be in touch through […]
Mon, 31 May, 2010 at 22:18
AWWW MAN I MISSED THIS! But happpppy bloggy birthday to you! I think our blogs are born a day (and two years) apart. Like I told you, yours was one of the first UK food blogs I read and I drew so much inspiration from it… It’s one of the first I read whenever I get a chance to catch up on blog-reading. Keep up the awesome work! xx
Wed, 2 Jun, 2010 at 15:50
I, too, am sorry to have missed the giveaway, but happy 3d anniversary. I just saw it’s Laissez Fare’s anniversary, too, so maybe there’s something about May that gets people’s creative juices flowing. : )
Thu, 10 Jun, 2010 at 16:03
Oops … I’ve gotta be honest that I’m darn late for this … Sorry!
A HAPPY BELATED 3RD BIRTHDAY TO TAMARIND & THYME!!
P.S. Oh, whenever I see there’s the word “giveaway,” I’ll see the long list of comments running down … Hahaha! It’s human nature I guess …
Wed, 16 Jun, 2010 at 18:12
Thanks, guys! Hopefully I’ll try to organise another giveaway next year!
Mon, 21 Jun, 2010 at 22:17
Congratulations! 3 years – wow.
Mon, 19 Jul, 2010 at 13:37
[…] Food | Leave a Comment A few weeks ago, Steve Fox‘s name was drawn as the winner of my blog birthday giveaway. I say, his emails have had me in stitches, especially the letter he sent when he tried the jar of […]