Project Food Blog Challenge #1: Ready, Set, Blog!
Friday, September 17, 2010
As many of you may know, Foodbuzz is hosting a fabulous contest called Project Food Blog.
There are a series of 10 Project Food Blog Challenges, each one focusing on different culinary and blogging skills, from writing to cooking to photography. Each entry post is voted on by the Foodbuzz community, and scored by a panel of judges, including Dana Cowin, Editor-in-Chief of FOOD & WINE Magazine (and fellow Brown alum!), Nancy Silverton, founder of La Brea Bakery & Co-owner of Mozza, and Pim Techamuanvivit, author of Chez Pim and The Foodie Handbook.
So, here we go! The first challenge poses the question:
I’ve thought long and hard about this…What makes Lick My Spoon unique? Why do I blog? Why do you read me? (Feel free to chime in here).
I like to describe Lick My Spoon as a place for all things delicious. It is my little corner of the blogosphere where I can talk about the things that get me jazzed, juiced… another “J” word is failing me right now, but you get the idea.
Here, I have a beautiful, blank canvas to talk about all the joys I find in little morsels of goodness. Some decadent and rich, others sublime in their simplicity. I always try to write as honestly and seductively as I can. I want you to taste my words.
When I started blogging, I didn’t really expect anyone to read me, other than my mom, of course. But then that started to change. And to my astonishment and complete flattery, I had an audience! I realized, oh my goodness, you guys out there are listening. You are actually making my recipes, and living vicariously through my stories and foodie adventures. I need to make this worth your while! So I set out to do 5 things:
1. GEEK OUT.
I read up on all my food news, researched all the fun food events in town (and out of town), and got the scoop on restaurant openings.
Star Chefs and Vintners Gala
2. GET OUT THERE AND EAT.
I scoured farmers markets, hunted down food trucks, pampered myself at fine dining restaurants, and dug into local favorite hole-in-the-wall joints. All so I could share the very best with you.
Remember when I discovered Early Girl tomatoes...
and then proceeded to buy 20 pounds of them?
3. GAIN ACCESS.
I networked, and hustled, and created opportunities to cover the most interesting events, seminars, conferences, and festivals around.
Ben & Jerry’s (Burlington, VT): creating flavors in the R&D Kitchen,
and perfecting the 3 oz scoop at Scoop U
4. HAVE FUN.
This one isn’t too difficult. Food is fun. Plain and simple.
Anything in the name of foodie fun (SF Street Food Festival Scavenger Hunt 2009)
5. LEARN ABOUT FOOD PORN.
If only your screen was scratch-n-taste
I believe that working hard at those five things has allowed me to keep things interesting for you. Hmmm? Am I right?
In the end though, the answer may be much simpler. What defines me as a blogger?
That is why I do what I do. Food fills me with such joy and excitement, pleasure and curiosity, that I want to share it with anyone else who feels the same way.
I blog to share.
(Voting is Open Mon 9/20, 6 AM PST – Thurs 9/23, 6 PM PST)
Welcome to Lick My Spoon, a place for all things delicious. 
I came to check out the competition and you look strong! Of course you are one of the bloggers I expected to be strong. Thanks for never disappointing. Good Luck. GREG
Thanks, Greg! Â same to you! Â best of luck to you
can’t wait to see what you have in store.
You know I’m a huge fan! Get out and eat it right, my friend. Love your photos and always love reading about all those fun food events.
Love your pics, nice work!
Good luck to you! As Greg said, you are strong competition.
You certainly have a winning combo of a blog. Good luck in the comp!
“Excuse me miss…You have a pot on your head.”
“What!?”
“I said…You have a pot on your head!”
“Hold on a sec, let me take the pot off my head…Now what did you say?”
“Oh never mind. Just geek out and share on!”
Good luck with PFB!
Matt Kay
First time visiting your blog but you presented a compelling case to go forward in the challenge. You got one of my votes.
[...] for PFB has officially started! Check out my entry and please VOTE here so I can advance to the next round – I promise I have something yummy up my [...]
You got my vote! What a beautiful, top-notch blog! Here’s to eating cake wherever and whenever we choose
Holy gorgeous pictures lady. I’m drooling all over the place! My favorite favorite thing about this post – “all place for all things delicious”. I think that resonates so deeply to me because it’s what I hope to embody at my site! I’m so stoked to have found you & can’t wait to explore more of your stuff!! Â
You know you have my vote! Us #FFoodinistas have to stick together haha! Thanks for having us over last week. The pot de creme, cookies, and conversation were awesome, per usual. Good luck with the rest of your wedding planning. =)
Just sent my vote atchaaa! Good luck and have a great week.
This is such a fun blog! You’ve got my vote and subscription. Love this!
I find your blog great. You are absolutely talented, you got those yummy recipes and great stories. Good Luck on your entry and God Bless!
You got our vote!
Come check out our PFB post:
http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/1/view/391
Cheers and aloha.
You rock! LOVE the pic with the pan on your head—almost as much as I adore the name of your blog. Y’know? This whole event is worth it just to meet people like you! Best of luck—you have my vote!
Great post Stephanie, you pretty much sum it all up in your post.
And yes, it definitely looks like you’re having fun!
Consider yourself one extra vote richer now:)
I’m amazed by all the great food bloggers that are out there and I’ve yet to discover. Gorgeous food, delicious photography! You’ve got my vote.
Love it, love it, love it! You’ve got my vote!
I love it
I enjoyed your post especially the food porn! You got my vote. Good luck with the competition!
I really like your ‘Food is Fun’ perspective, and your blog rocks. So you have my vote!
a vote from me….
Thank you for your lovely note in my blog. I’m such a big fan of yours and I know you’ll do very well in PFB. Best of luck! Looking forward to your posts!
Jun
You got our vote back! Thanks for the visit, and man, I love those tomatoes!
http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/1/view/495
Working at Ben & Jerry’s as a taster is on my short list of dream jobs… JEALOUS! So glad to have discovered your blog. Apparently I’m late to the party. But glad to be here. Best of luck in the competition! And you’ve got my vote!
LOVE. IT.
You have my vote!
Oh my. You are so going to win!
Love those pictures, and your words. You are going into my reader right now.Â
Thanks for visiting Livefire, and the vote. Â I came over, saw all the great photos and read about all the work you do to get to good food, and I had to vote for Lick My Spoon! Â Great job!
Awesome post and awesome blog. The effort you put into your blog clearly shows. You have not only earned my vote, but I’ll also continue to follow along and read your blog.
I love it! So cute and fun. So happy to lend you my support and vote! Nice to meet you Steph. Good Luck, can’t wait to see more from you.
Gina
LOVE lick my spoon! Hope you win
This was my first time visiting Lick My Spoon and I’m glad I did. Good luck in the challenge! And I’m glad you liked my post title
Hi! Thanks for checking out my blog and for the vote! I enjoyed reading your PFB post! I liked this the best: “If only your screen was scratch-n-taste.” Haha, that would be awesome!
Best of luck with PFB! Just voted for you!
Hello – You had my vote from the beginning! Thank you for your vote…. love the pic of you with the soup kettle on your head! cute – mega
I am in love with your blog… the food is great, the writing is great and the pictures are really great!!! Good luck in the competition, though i dont think you need it
You’ve certainly got my vote!!!
and thanks for visiting and voting on mine too
Thanks for the support! I voted for you as well. Good luck. You are a true foodie! And I cant wait to see your challenge posts (=
Wow! You do have skills and you have my vote. Looks like I have to step up my game!
To answer your questions:
Nikon D5000
50mm 1.8 lens is my standard lens
SB600 when I really need light.
Hope to see you in the next round!
such a great post and i love your blogging philosophy! you’ve definitely got my vote – hope to see you in Round 2!!
so glad i found you back…you have a rockin’ blog…i just love it…and i got a vote in for you just under the wire–yeah!
Steph! One of my fav food bloggers! Thanks for the vote, already voted for you and good luck =)
Thanks for your comment on my blog…and I gave you a vote on the first day! Love your blog. Congrats on being published in the Foodista Cookbook. Sadly, I didn’t make it…but I was at the IFBC when they announced the winners and that was really fun.
Excellent work on the first challenge! Â I love your blog, and I know you’ll go far in this competition!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and congrats on advancing !!
i <3 food lovers.  you guys are all so amazing.  so many inspirational stories out there!  i feel like i’m in good company
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