What Defines a Food Blogger ? {Because I Can't Cook}

I received this very good question today on my video post. Thanks to "Anonymous" for starting an engaging discussion. Someone has finally asked the question I've been waiting for...

"While the video is cute, I'm wondering if you ever actually COOK anything? How can you justifiably be in a food blog competition when it does not appear that you COOK?"



As most of you know, I've always been up front about not being a very good cook (my profile). What I love is the combination of food and art. I communicate this love by telling my quirky food stories, sharing my simple (yes, very simple) recipes, creating monthly food themes to offer a fresh perspective, and sharing fabulous recipes from fellow food bloggers...all through my illustrations.

This brings me to the next question stated above (which I think is a very good one)...is it relevant for me to be in a food blog competition if I can't cook? Hmmm, I guess the real question is what defines a "food blog"? Recipes shared by a great chef? An author that writes about other great chefs? Someone that strictly critiques local restaurants? Someone that isn't a great chef, but shares their struggles with cooking? Someone that draws food of other great chefs? Can a food blog just be about food (in whatever form it takes)? What do you think?



The Foodbuzz competition has been a challenge for me (in a very good way)...to stay true to my blog focus, while also staying true to each challenge. It has helped me step outside my comfort zone. As you can see from my challenges...I'm actually "cooking" something (yes, way outside my comfort zone). Okay, they are simple in many ways, but that's me. You will note that most food bloggers in this competition have also stayed true to their focus. These bloggers are unique because they spin each challenge towards who they are...and that is what engages us. For instance...how can pizza on a stick not be fun? Because it's the view of a cookie decorator - love that spin...and there are many more.

One thing I commend the Foodbuzz competition organizers for is a variety of challenges to highlight the different talents of food bloggers - photography, videography, baking, recipe tweaking, education, communication, critiquing, and on and on. It really demonstrates the vastness of how we all approach food.

So in the end, I can't cook. But I can write about food, share my struggles and highlights with food, celebrate fellow food bloggers, illustrate food, and communicate the idea of food from a different perspective. Whether or not that makes me a "food blogger" is up for grabs, but I do appreciate being able to participate in this competition and deeply appreciate all these fabulous new challenges thrown in front of me.



Thanks again to everyone supporting my quirky view of food, but also thanks to everyone supporting this competition and allowing so many food bloggers to shine. I've learned so much from my peers and I continue to learn from honest questions like the ones above. Food and conversation go together well. Cheers!