The first post of Food Blog was May 1st 2002. Back when ‘Food Blog’ sounded like a brilliant, original name.
There was a handful of food blogs, and comparatively few (tens of thousands?) of regular blogs. Communities of food bloggers hadn’t organized, food blogging events hadn’t happened yet, and restaurants and cooks never heard of us, never mind feared us or offered us the same perks or service print reviewers got. I was questioned like a criminal when I first asked a PR firm to lend me a shot of a food product, to use to illustrate a post. And advertising? A store actually requested I remove a favorable post I gave them because they thought I would divert all the traffic about them away from their AOL hosted page.
Real work diverted me away from daily, or even weekly posts about 3 years into the adulthood of this blog, and I watched food blogging become a profession, and there’s even a food blogging movie now. Food blogs went from sloppy Angelfire sites to professionally photographed pieces of art. I’ve witnessed many fun, entertaining blogs turn into slogging daily grinds of PR campaigns and shills. Many more have come and gone – had their fun and success along the way, but inevitably, other duties, hobbies and pursuits fight for the attention, time and passion it takes to maintain a healthy blog.
I’ve never considered shutting this down, even after some periods of long dormancy. The reasons for starting and keeping this blog have always stayed the same. There was never any reason to give up, but there was never a reason to force posts, just to maintain readership, keep up traffic for advertising or for google juice. For many years this was the number one search result for ‘food blog’, and it may have deserved it. These days there’s many more out there that deserve to be found when newcomers start exploring the hobby/profession/business/whatever it is. This thing will always be around, but only when I have something to say, and I have time to say it.
I still get almost daily requests to get on my decrepit list, most are nothing more than vehicles for adwords. In fact I see many destined for failure, that the signs of a new blog’s motivation becomes obvious, and the predictions of their short lifespans are easy. But once in awhile I do see new inspired bloggers, passionate about food, photography, community, their heritage, their culture, writing, communicating, educating and entertaining. These new-comers are just as excited about the ‘medium’ as us ‘old timers’. Unlike most of the posts recently, I’m going to approve comments to this post, at least for a reasonable amount of time. I’m not normally able to edit the sincere requests from those who just want my google juice but I’m going to try, since I’m sure there are many how deserve to get some. I might even make a list…
In any case, thanks to any readers who are still around after all these years.
Long live the food blog*!
* I mean the food blog genre – you know what I mean.
19 responses so far ↓
1 Trig // May 5, 2009 at 11:37 am
7 years! Wow – makes me seem like a newcomer. Happy blogversary.
2 Risa Sekiguchi // May 12, 2009 at 4:28 pm
I started Savory Japan just over a month ago. It’s a vast website about Japanese food and culture, with recipes, an ingredient glossary, restaurant reviews and travel articles. I just added a blog about a week ago. PLEASE include me on your list. I am very sincere in my hope to spread the Japanese concept of food to the West.
Many thanks,
Risa
3 LunaCafe // May 13, 2009 at 1:26 am
I’m one of those sincere food bloggers you refer to and would love to be listed in your food blog directory. I have been teaching cooking and writing about food for decades and the passion doesn’t seem to be waning. The blog medium is giving me the freedom and latitude I have always wanted as a writer. Thank you for your time and consideration. Best…Susan Bradley
4 Louise // May 14, 2009 at 7:27 pm
First let me wish you a very happy blogoversary!!!
I can relate with your feelings about google juice and such. I’ve been noticing many food blogs get a bit too “ady” My Months of Edible Celebrations blog is a carry over from the AOL days back in 1998. AOL use to pester me about ads. It took me quite a long time to enter the blogosphere and now, after almost two years, I can honestly say, I just want to Celebrate each day with food. I am getting a wee bit worried about blogger though:(
You have done a tremendous job here. I’m a bit sorry it took me a while to discover your place. Glad I did:)
5 Princess Arlini // May 15, 2009 at 6:14 am
Hi, happy anniversary! We want to be part of your list, please check our website and kindly include us. Thanks!
6 Srivalli // May 19, 2009 at 6:01 am
wow 7 years sounds so fantastic!..great job..
7 Becky // May 19, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Yes, long live the food blog, and congrats on lasting so long! I just started my very first blog on Saturday, and would love some pointers any time you might be able to offer them.. All but one of my posts contains a recipe so far, but I also plan to work in some culture stuff. In fact, the title of my blog is Culture Nerd.. because frankly, I am one
I do not have any readers yet, because I’m not really sure how to promote my blog. I should also note, that I’m trying to keep it fairly anonymous so if I’m ever commenting on shows or other things going on in my life, people won’t know that it’s me. Because of my job, I feel it would be inappropriate to express all of my opinions as loudly as I would like.
Anyway, the whole anonymity thing makes it near impossible to promote! I would love to be listed on your directory, or if you ever just feel like reading about nerdy culture stuff, stop on by:
http://culture-nerd.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Becky
8 Ricky L // May 27, 2009 at 9:22 pm
congrats on 7 years!! i just started my blog a few weeks ago and stumbled on your blog ! i think i will come back often, if you would like here is my site for your ‘list’ thanks! it features foods and tasty eats in the central florida region and serves a a diary of sorts. thanks! http://tastychomps.blogspot.com
9 eatpress // May 31, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Wow 7 years is pretty impressive.
We’d love it if you could include eatpress at some point. We are a food blog for people who want easy recipes, restaurant reviews, in season news and cheap cooking tips, not fancy, just practical. With special guest contributors from around the world, eatpress hopes to offer lots of options to help you out the next time you’re feeling hungry.
10 ladygoat // Jun 2, 2009 at 9:06 am
Happy blogversary! I too remember when your food blog list was short and I could read every one of them. I can’t keep up with even a fraction of them now! Congratulations!
11 French Cooking for Dummies // Jun 13, 2009 at 9:08 am
Happy blogoversary and congratulations!
I’d love to see my French cooking blog included in your list… Please come check it out
http://frenchcookingfordummies.com
Cheers!
12 Paola // Jun 14, 2009 at 12:37 am
Congratulations on 7 years of food blogging! I just started my own food blog and find your story very inspirational for entrepreneurs like me. I too am finding it hard to maintain the balance between blogging on a regular basis and my “real” full time job. The satisfaction and enjoyment I get from food blogging make it all worth it.
I would appreciate it if you could list my blog http://blog.foodberry.com/ in your directory to share with other food bloggers. Please feel free to stop by and post your feedback, ideas or comments.
Thanks!!
13 Chefkoch Andy // Jun 17, 2009 at 11:24 am
Congratulations on 7 years of food blogging! I just started my own food blog at 2007. WoW
14 Jessica // Jul 8, 2009 at 3:40 pm
Congrats on hitting 7 years! That’s incredible.
After some very intense searching for your email I have given up and will post here instead.
If you can please add my food blog to your directory. Keep It Simple Foods – http://www.keepitsimplefoods.com
Our blog is all about delicious healthy recipes, using all whole and natural ingredients.
Thanks!
15 SippitySup // Aug 5, 2009 at 10:06 am
Wow. & years is an achievement. I started 9 months ago and am loving it. Thanks for paving the way. GREG
16 Megan Gordon // Aug 16, 2009 at 5:28 am
Congrats on your success with the blog–7 years is a big deal! I would love to be included in your impressive list. I am a freelance food writer and restaurant reviewer in San Francisco, and my blog focuses on “kitchen fumblings,” notes on food culture, foodie book reviews, and my far-reaching search for sweets and treats. I’d be honored if you’d include me: http://sweetspoonful.blogspot.com/
17 The Hungry Mouse // Aug 26, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Wow. What an accomplishment! Congrats!
+Jessie
18 Heguiberto Souza // Nov 6, 2009 at 6:22 pm
Congrats on your 7th anniversary. I love the number 7. It always bring me good luck, that’s the day I was born…. and ever since I never stopped eating and drinking what a pleasure lol
Well I am here to ask you to list me on your fabo page. We write mostly about food, wine, food shopping e pop culture. We’ve been around for about 7 months now. We are based in San Franciso. Cheers! Heguiberto from http://weirdcombinations.com/
19 valerian // Nov 28, 2009 at 10:14 am
Congrats! i will be honored if our site can be a part of your directory. no pop ads, no ads, just good home made central european food. thanks, and keep up the good work for us, food bloggers.