Foodie Chat - Hot and Spicy Redchillies!

It is year end and this is the final foodie chat for this year 2008. The last one is always special. This time we have Supriya of Redchillies. From the name, you might guess that her recipes are going to be spicy. Hmm..is it so?, let us ask her.

Why and when did you start blogging?

I started blogging in June of 2007. I was very impressed with the concept of blogging; it’s ease of use, readily available free software and simple technology that could be used by any non-technical person. I planned on giving this a try and so I started blogging. I decided to use it as a way of sharing my recipes, recording my thoughts and penning my ideas.

Why did you choose Food as a topic to blog?

Food is a part and parcel of our everyday lives. I grew up being exposed to good food and great cooks. I also had/have a penchant for learning recipes. After I took up the mantle of cooking I discovered that I enjoy cooking, experimenting and also trying out new dishes. So I used this platform of blogging to share the recipes and culinary ideas with people across the world.


I believe you have a full time job. How do you manage both? Can you give some tips on time management?

True, I work full time and also I have a 3 year old boy. My family and work takes priority and blogging takes a back seat. I use blogging as my hobby and a good way of using my free time. I plan my day and activities in advance; I try not to overwhelm myself with too much work on a weekday. I do all important and time consuming work during the weekends. Finally, the best part that works for me is multi-tasking. While one food is cooking, I chop vegetables for the other dishes, or setting up the table, cleaning while heating a food and so on.

In a day, how many hours you spend blogging?

There is no set amount of time I spend on blogging in a day. I do blogging related activities whenever I find free time. However I do spend about 7-8 hours of blogging a week.

Do you have any other hobbies other than blogging?

Currently, blogging is taking up much of my free time. However I read books, listen to music and also collect books.

Do you see any change in your blogging habits?

I am trying to keep my blogging time as minimal as possible. It is very addictive and it is easy to get lost in the plethora of beautiful blogs out there.

There are many food blogs now, what do you think is the major difference between a food blog and a website that shares recipes?

The distinct part of blogging is the direct user interaction with the author. A reader can ask for question or clarification regarding a recipe/content and can expect clarification from the blogger. A reader can also request for a specific recipe which is not possible through books or websites. Similarly valuable comments from other readers make this medium efficient and highly inter active. Fresh content updates, beautiful photography also makes this quite popular.

What advice do you give to the new comers?

Food Blogging is an easy and great medium of sharing recipes. In my opinion, the three criteria to keep in mind while starting a blog is to have a good recipe ideas, good photography, and effective style of writing

Which is your favorite cuisine and why?

My favorite cuisine is Indian.

What do you feel about recent copyright issues?

I feel that stealing content from other sources without permission is just outrageous. It is just day light robbery and cannot be tolerated. It annoys me no end when people steal our content and publish it as their own.

Do you have any experience like this before? Any advice? (reg copyright issues)

Thankfully I have not personally experienced these issues.

You are a regular reader of ....Reader’s Digest, Cooking Light, Time and Business Week.

Do you cook frozen food? What’s your perception of frozen food?

I am not a huge fan of frozen food. Even though my perception about its nutrients has changed, I still prefer to use fresh food. However I use frozen peas, frozen vegetables and use it when I am in a hurry and need to get something fast.

When did you first start cooking?

I first started out by watching my mother cook in the kitchen. But then I started doing full fledged cooking after I got married.

Your favorite cooking show, cookbook, cuisine, restaurant, food

Rachael Ray’s 30 minute Meals, Dakshin byChandra Padmanabhan, Indian. There are many restaurants and food choices to narrow them down.

Who/what is your inspiration?

As far as cooking is concerned I have been inspired by many people including my mother, MIL, grandmother etc. They are all great cooks and they inspire me to try out something new every time. I have also been inspired by Rachael Ray and her 30 minute meal ideas. Last but not least other fellow bloggers who do such outstanding job with their blogs.

Among the different Indian cuisine, which is your fav? (like north indian,south indian etc) and why?

My favorite Indian cuisine is South Indian. I was brought up in Bangalore and so exposed to plenty of South Indian Cuisine. I enjoy other cuisines as well but feel warm and comforting when I eat Rice, Idlis, Dosas, Upma etc. Even today I love ending my meal with sambhar and yogurt rice.

Is your cooking always healthy? If so any tips for Healthy cooking?

I try to cook as healthy as possible. I incorporate vegetables, salads, yogurt and lentils in our everyday food. I totally avoid sugar and use oil to a minimal extent. Other things I do are add little oat /barley flour to chapathi dough, add soybeans, barley to dosa and idli batter. Add some flax seeds, almond powder, sesame seeds to finished subzis, add ginger, garlic to almost subzis etc. These small things do not change the flavor but enhance the nutrition of the food.

Your achievements as far as blogging is concerned so far.

I feel happy that I am able to share my recipes and ideas with so many people around the world. Also when people say that they have enjoyed the recipe, then that is what makes blogging worthwhile.

I love your pictures. Your Photography secrets?

Thank You. I believe that photography skill comes through experience and also experimenting. It is very important to look at the cameras manual and try out the different modes. Just by changing the mode from “auto” to “Portrait” makes so much of difference. Some other handy tips are taking pictures in good light, taking lots of pictures at different angles, covering the background etc.

If given a chance, about which cuisine would, you like to learn more? Why?

There is no specific cuisine as such. But I enjoy learning any cuisine as long as the recipe is vegetarian.

If asked to share one recipe from your blog, which would you choose and why?

A very tough choice indeed! But I would settle for “Poori and Vegetable Saagu”. This has been a childhood favorite of mine and brings back sweet and nostalgic memories.

What inspired you to start Foodworld aggregator?

The idea of creating an aggregator came to me after FDB (another Blog Aggregator) closed down. The creators of FDB had done great service to fellow bloggers by creating a platform so that the bloggers could show case their work not only to like minded bloggers but also to a wide range of interested audiences. So I wanted to create my own Aggregator and that is how FoodWorld was started.

Okies, now for a very important question. Why did you name your blog redchillies?

In our family we love spicy food and chillies is a quintessential part of our cooking. Being a Konkani we use plenty of dried red chillies along with coconut and tamarind in our everyday cooking. So I thought it was apt to name my food blog as RedChillies.

Have you been to my site before? Do you have any comments for me?

Absolutely I visit your blog often. I like the fact that you provide information not just about recipes, but also about blogging ideas, healthy cooking, photography tips etc. I also like the way you conduct events that promotes healthy eating ideas.

I would like to Thank Supriya for this lovely interview.

If you know anyone whom I can interview for this series, please let me know.

Don’t miss the interview series. Do subscribe in a READER

OR via EMAIL to my blog!

Checkout the previous foodie chats.

Read More

Foodie Chat - Having Fun with Food

There are many food bloggers who have inspired me in many ways and one such blogger is Mansi of Fun and Food. I love her dedication. With a full time job, there are many bloggers like her, who put their heart and soul to keep their blog running. I really appreciate their hard work and hats off to you guys! Now let us carry on with what Mansi has got to say.

Why and when did you start blogging?

I was always interested in cooking, and trying different flavors and recipes was a favorite activity. Slowly, the love grew into a passion, and my husband convinced me to start a blog about my recipes and all the things I loved. I did not know about the food-blogging world before I actually started my blog! Named after a small road-side cafe in my hometown, my blog is called Fun and Food, and reflects my thoughts, ideas and opinions about having loads of fun while cooking!

Why did you choose this topic to blog?

Cooking should not be a boring chore, and that's precisely why I started blogging about Food - to help home-cooks discover the chef inside them and enjoy cooking good food to share with friends and family! Moreover, "Food" is a universal subject that everyone likes to read about, including myself! But I also write articles about health, Fitness, Travel and Entertaining from time to time, to keep the diversity alive!

I know you have a full time job. How do you manage both?

It does get tough at times managing both, but that's when my "sane & patient" husband comes to my rescue and makes me see that Blogging is just a hobby, not something I should get frantic about! So when my wrist starts paining with all the typing, I know its time to Stop! Now, I have a schedule so that I don't over-indulge in my blogs:)

In a day, how many hours you spend blogging?

With my new schedule, I spend about 2-3 hours per day, mostly at night to keep my drafts ready. Over the weekend, I get all my photos ready, and spend a couple hours organizing posts for the coming week.

Do you have any other hobbies other than blogging?

Yes, I love singing, and would've pursued it if I could! I also love reading, traveling & adventure-sports. Over the weekend, we simply drive to a nearby place with a picnic basket and do hiking or nature-stuff.

What advice do you give to the new comers?

Be passionate, and believe in what you do! This blogging community and my friends have taught me the importance of sharing, and being truthful and patient in what you pursue. That's the only way you can enjoy what you do. Like any other field, blogging take time and persistence, so just hang on! You'll see yourself improve over time.


Which is your favorite cuisine and why?

I love Indian Food, and try to make a global cuisine out of it by adapting International cuisines for Indian palates. But I do like Italian, Thai and Mexican food the most after Indian.

Your favorite food blogs

Oh boy, there are 100's of blogs to list, but I'll just mention a few that I really admire!
101Cookbbooks, Tartelette, FatFree Vegan, La Tartine Gourmande, Cafe Fernando, Closet Cooking

Who/what is your inspiration?

Initially, it was my mom who inspired me to learn about flavors, aromas and tastes. Now cookbooks, food shows and food celebrities inspire me everyday to try something new and create simple or exquisite meals in my kitchen. And of course, my husband, who's my best critic, and loves his job! Baking is one of my favorite cooking activities, and I'd love to have a restaurant of my own someday!

Do you host your blog in your own domain? what blog hosts you suggest for a new blogger/experienced blogger.

No, I still maintain my blog with "Blogger", while I have my main site hosted at my own domain. Blogger is easy for a novice-blogger, and free, so I stuck to it. However, I'm thinking I should have explored more, especially about "Wordpress" as it offers more themes, is customizable, and has more professional layouts and designs.

How do you cope up with the technical requirements for being a blogger?

I do know some basic HTML and CSS, which is sufficient for the time being. But most of the time, I find answers to my technical dilemmas online, or I take help from friends who can help answer them for me:)

Your Photography secrets

I'm really not that great with my photos, and I'd love to be half as good as some of the blogs I've mentioned above, which are truly inspiring! But I try to learn from others; see cookbooks and magazines for food styling, try natural or diffused white light for taking pictures, use a basic editing software like GIMP or Photoshop for post-editing, and try to focus more on food than backgrounds and styling, especially if you not a natural food photographer:)

Now coming to a more personal question, How was your recent Europe/India trip?

It was amazing, one of the most awaited vacations in my life!:) We had a great time in Rome, Venice, Paris & Switzerland. I've shared a few photos on my blog. We planned the entire trip ourselves, so it was a lot of work, but it was totally worth it, and we had a great time!

I would like to Thank Mansi for this lovely interview.

If you know anyone whom I can interview for this series, please let me know.

Don’t miss the interview series. Do subscribe in a READER

OR via EMAIL to my blog!

Checkout the previous foodie chats.

Read More

Foodie Chat - Lauren from Vegan Yum Yum!

When I was searching for tips to take good food photographs, I came across this Vegan Yum.Yum blog of Lauren's. I visited her blog to learn about food photography but, ended up learning more than that. She has a great collection of recipes and is one of the best food photographers. All her pictures are treats to our eyes. With no further delay, I present Lauren!

Why and when did you start blogging?

I started blogging in December of 2006. I wanted a way to keep track of the food I was eating, and an easy way to show people what vegans actually eat!

Why did you choose Food as a topic to blog?

It's easy for me to talk about! I think about food all the time, and there is always something new to learn or new to try, so it's a great topic for blogging. And it's something everyone can relate to.

Can you give some tips on time management?

Do you mean while cooking? I manage my time best with the recipes I make consistently; I know what pans to use, when to start each part of the meal, and how to make sure everything finishes together. It's worth it to me to spend a few minutes before cooking to figure out what my "game plan" is so that I can get everything done as efficiently as possible. Sometimes, though, I make the dish up as I go along, so it's impossible to plan. I try to enjoy myself in the kitchen, so when I don't have any time constraints I don't really care how long it takes to make a meal. Cooking is half the fun!

In a day, how many hours you spend blogging?

That depends. On a day where I do a post, I can spend several hours to all day (planning the recipe, cooking, plating, photographing, editing the photos, writing, and editing the post). On non-post days I spend a good amount of time responding to reader emails and working on special projects that relate to the blog, like magazine articles or interviews like this!

Do you have any other hobbies other than blogging?

I do like to knit, but that tends to be a winter hobby for me. I take photos of lots of things besides food, so photography would definitely be a hobby!


Sangeeth: I would like to barge in here and share the Knit night cupcakes made by Lauren. Very cute and creative.

To know more about her talents, do visit her about page. You will be surprised.

Do you see any change in your blogging habits?

Definitely. When I first started I posted simply what I ate that day, where as now I always try to create a new, original recipe for my readers.


There are many food blogs now, what do you think is the major difference between a food blog and a website that shares recipes?

I think food blogs are more personal. There is a story that goes with the recipe, and it could be anything from what it was like to actually make it (hard, easy, annoying), or where the recipe came from. I also think on a website that just shares recipes it's harder to be honest about a bad recipe, where as you can post a failure on your blog and people respond to that just as much as a recipe that's a success. My readers actually really like it when I say, "I totally messed this recipe up, it was terrible!"

What advice do you give to the new comers?

Like anything, the more you do it, the better you get. Focus on writing the blog that you wish you could find on the Internet, and you'll have a good website. Also, photos are key! If you're a reader, you can't smell or taste the food yourself; it's good to be able to at least see it!


Which is your favorite cuisine and why?

This is impossible for me to answer! It really depends on what mood I'm in and what I'm craving. I don't think there's a single cuisine I've tried that I've disliked.

You are a regular reader of ....

I read lots of food blogs, especially vegan ones like Have Cake, Will Travel and Fat Free Vegan Kitchen. But I also read some non-vegan food blogs as well!

Do you cook frozen food?Whats your perception of frozen food?

I cook with frozen food in moderation. I like frozen peas and corn, but I never buy frozen entrees or full meals. I like cooking way too much!

When did you first start cooking?

I've been cooking my whole life. I can remember my mother always cooking for us, and I would often hang out in the kitchen and help.


Your favourite cooking show, cookbook, cuisine, restaurant, food

I don't have cable TV, but I do watch cooking shows on PBS occasionally. I never cook from cookbooks, so I don't actually have a favorite, and I love all cuisines! As far as restaurants, I love Millennium in San Francisco and Candle 79 in New York City.

Who/what is your inspiration?

The food itself is often my inspiration!

Have you cooked/tasted Indian cuisine?

Yes! I have a few Indian recipes on my blog, including kaju katli, aloo parathas, and some curries. Yum!

Any tips for Healthy cooking?

I don't focus on healthy cooking, so I can't say that's my expertise!

Your achievements as far as blogging is concerned so far.

I've one a few awards from VegNews magazine, and I was on the Martha Stewart Show earlier this year.

I love your pictures. Your Photography secrets?

The short list: use natural light, no flash, and stabilize your camera for clear, crisp shots!

Sangeeth: Its me again, here is her blog post on Food photography tips. If you have time, just go through it. It is very simple and easy to follow. I bet, you will never come out her blog without bookmarking few recipes!

If given a chance, about which cuisine would you like to learn more? why?

I'd love to learn more about Indian cuisine since I feel like I've just barely scratched the surface. I'd especially love to learn the differences between regional Indian cooking. I also would love to learn more about Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine!

If asked to share one recipe from your blog, which would you choose and why?

I don't think there is one recipe that represents my blog, but perhaps the miniature doughnuts I made or these aloo parathas!- http://veganyumyum.com/2007/11/aloo-parathas/

Why is it difficult for many vegetarians to convert to vegans?

It's hard to say, and I think you'll get a different answer from any person you ask. I think a lot of people think going vegan is such a huge change that it's unmanageable.

Why should one become vegan?

I'm not vegan for health or environmental reasons, but they are certainly great bonuses. I'm personally vegan because it's a lifestyle that matches my own personal ethics and world view: love and compassion for all, not just humans.

Did you like the interview? Are you a vegan? or do you have plans to become a vegan? Do let us know by commenting below.


I would like to Thank Lauren for this lovely interview.

If you know anyone whom I can interview for this series, please let me know.

Don’t miss the interview series. Do subscribe in a READER

OR via EMAIL to my blog!

Checkout the previous foodie chats.

Read More

Foodie Chat - Kopiaste invites Ivy!

Kopiaste? Not English. Hmm...must be Greek. Kopiaste is the word used to invite people we want to share our food with or when we open our house to friends and invite them to eat. OK. How did I know this? Ofcourse our dear Ivy! I have been visiting her site lately and I have to say she has a great collection of not only Greek cuisine, but also other international cuisines. She is yet another humble and down to earth person I met in this beautiful food blog world. Here she is sharing her views with us.

Why and when did you start blogging?

I started copying three old cooking notebooks I had with recipes on the computer. At the beginning I planned to record my recipes and give my kids a copy to each. Last August I was feeling so bored after our vacations late June - early July that my son, who knew how much I love cooking gave me the idea to interact with people, through a cooking blog, so I started the blog in August, 2007.

Why did you choose Food as a topic to blog?

I love to cook and I love to eat, so it came natural to write about what I like to do the most.

Can you give some tips on time management?

It’s all a matter of organizing your jobs and putting priorities. I plan everything in my mind. I never take notes but know what to do first. I don’t know if this has to do with my Zodiac sign, I’m an Aries but I cannot just do one thing at a time. I do two or three or even four things simultaneously. I do this when I am cooking, I may be cooking and baking and preparing a side dish, all at the same time.

In a day, how many hours you spend blogging?

Lots of hours. I am ashamed to admit it but when I have nothing else to do, I am in front of the screen.

Do you have any other hobbies other than blogging?

I have a few hobbies which however I have been neglecting due to blogging. I don’t seem to find any time for my other hobbies any more. I love reading and taking photos and I also love painting. I have started my painting lessons last week so I shall not blog every day now.

Do you see any change in your blogging habits?

As I said above, I shall not blog every day. Trying to blog every day is a bit stressful so I shall post two or three times a week.

Where do you see your blog 1 year from now?

I have never thought about it but a lot has changed since last year, so I expect something to change within the next year as well, but I cannot imagine what that can be.

What advice do you give to the new comers?

It depends on what the new comers want from blogging. If they expect to write recipes (even if they are writing the best recipes of the whole blogosphere) and just wait for others to visit them while they are relaxing, they should forget about it. Blogging is about giving and taking, so I would advice them if they want to take they must first give. My other advice would be to visit others first, to join Food Communities and participate in as many food events as they can. In other words socialize.

Which is your favorite cuisine and why?

After Greek cuisine, my second choice would be Italian as I could eat pasta every day but I also like French, Indian, Chinese and Mexican cuisines.

What do you feel about recent copyright issues?

I am outraged to see that some people are copying not just a recipe or a photo, but whole blogposts and putting ads to make money out of others’ hard work.

Do you have any experience like this before? Any advice? (reg copyright issues)

I have seen some of my friends complaining about this and when I checked a link they gave, I saw some work of other friend bloggers being copied, so I informed them about it. Personally, I have seen some of my recipes (and I mean recipes I have made out of my mind) copied with no acknowledgment at all. That made me angry.

You are a regular reader of..

Most of my friends’ blogs.

How do you keep in touch with your fellow bloggers, do you use social sites?

We usually exchange e-mails or chat through gmail. With a few we even speak on the telephone, now that phone calls are much cheaper.

Your favourite cooking show, cookbook, cuisine, restaurant, food

Before blogging I never used to miss a cooking show on T.V. but now I never watch T.V. The only time I watch T.V. is when I am ironing and always change channels until I find a cooking show. The past week when I was ill I watched a lot of T.V. cooking shows and I liked Rachel Ray and Jamie Oliver shows. Last year there were some Greek cooking shows I used to watch but this year I have not seen anything interesting. I do not have a favourite cookbook. I have a few Greek ones and won two English ones since I started blogging and only made a recipe from them once.

Who/what is your inspiration?

My inspiration is my whole family. I always have in mind to cook something to please them.

Do you host your blog in your own domain? What blog hosts you suggest for a new blogger/experienced blogger.

Yes, I host my own domain. I can’t compare as I have only used one host up to now and that is Blue host. Whenever I needed their help, their online service is great and they are very helpful

How do you cope up with the technical requirements for being a blogger.

Well, I started with blogger, which is very easy to learn. I borrowed a book from my son and learned a little about HTML. However, wordpress is quite different and more difficult. I had several technical problems and I asked some other blogger friends who are always willing to help. I have now ordered a book to learn more about php.

If people want to contact you through social media, are you available?

Yes, they can contact me through e-mail or facebook.

Your achievements as far as blogging is concerned so far.

I am not sure what you mean by achievements but I’ve learned a lot about cooking this past year.

Your Photography secrets.

My photography skills suck. I don’t have a very expensive digital camera and don’t use Photoshop. I always take my photos in a hurry as everyone is sitting at the table waiting to be served and I have to rush and take a quick photo of the dish before it disappears. I have learned by experience that the best photos are those taken with natural lighting.

If given a chance, about which cuisine would you like to learn more? Why?

I would like to learn more about French cuisine. I think it is a very gourmet cuisine.

I know you specialize in Greek cuisine, what would be the right place to start learning about Greek cuisine, culture etc.

I wouldn’t say that I specialize in Greek cuisine but I’ve been cooking Greek food for many years now. Greek cuisine is quite simple and I think what makes it delicious are the ingredients used. The best way to learn would be, of course, by visiting Greece but I know that this is not possible for many of you, so you can start learning about Greek cuisine from Greek bloggers and through our posts I think you can learn a few things about our culture as well.

I take this opportunity to Thank Ivy for her lovely interview, despite her busy schedule. She is now attending her painting classes. Here is her painting blog. Do check out the paintings look divine.

I appreciate your comments and suggestions for future interviews. If you want anyone to be interviewed for this series, please let me know.

Don’t miss the interview series. Do subscribe in a READER

OR via EMAIL to my blog!

Checkout the previous foodie chats.

Read More

Foodie Chat - Dine and Dish says Kristen!

Recently I got introduced to Kristen, the owner of Dine and Dish, a Food and recipe Blog. She has a great collection of recipes and the one thing that caught my eye is the Adopt a Blogger program that she started. To know more read on.

When and Why did you start a blog?

I started blogging November of 2006. My parents had just moved to the Southern tip of Texas and I knew we would be able to keep in touch as often as I would like. With three young grandchildren, I knew it was important for my parents to be able to stay in the loop with what they were up to, so I started a family blog. At the same time, I started a food blog.

Have you cooked Indian recipes?What do you think about Indian Cuisine?

I have never cooked Indian recipes. We have some good friends who cook Indian food for us quite often though and I love it!

Why did you choose Food as your topic to blog?

I try to make my blog about more than just food. Food is one of the cornerstones of our life, but beyond the food is always a story. I figured I could wrap so many things up in a food blog!

Which Cuisine you specialize in?

I don't really specialize in a cuisine... just whatever I feel like cooking! Most of my recipes are family friendly.

In a day, how many hours you spend blogging?

I am trying to cut this down by quite a bit because blogging tends to grab a hold of me and before I know it too much time has gone by. I am limiting myself to 2 hours or less a day for blogging related activities.

Do you have any other hobbies other than blogging?

Well, cooking is a big hobby. Reading, traveling, photography are a couple of other hobbies.

What do you feel about blogging becoming a career?

Wouldn't that be a dream? I have received several paid gigs through my blog, which is fantastic. Most of them involve food and writing, so of course I'm thrilled with that. It is nice to make money from doing something that you love!

Do you see any change in your blogging habits?

I am paring back on blogging some and am only going to be posting a couple of times per week instead of more often than that.

Where do you see your blog 1 year from now?

I see it about the same as it is now. I hope that I continue to get freelance opportunities and review opportunities and that I continue to entertain my readers. More importantly, I hope that I am able to stay true to myself and to remember my real reason for blogging!

Give us some tips to balance blogging and our life.

Bloggers can put a lot of stress upon themselves to keep up with the more popular blogs. Always remember why you are blogging. Comments and high visitor stats are great, but if blogging takes over your life because you are trying to outdo yourself, you will get burnt out and your purpose for blogging won't be fulfilled. Stay true to yourself, limit the time you spend on the computer, and make sure you continue to have fun!

What advice do you give to the new comers?

Get into a blogging schedule that is comfortable for your life. Don't feel pressured to write everyday. Find your own voice and make sure to write about something you are passionate about.

Do you have anyother blogs other than the food blog?

I have a family blog www.dineanddish.net/family

What do you feel about recent copyright issues?

I think it is very important to always credit the source. Always. If you want to use someone's photo, ask permission before you post the photo on your blog.

Do you have any experience like this before? Any advice?(reg copyright issues)

Have had no issues!

Your photography secrets and tips -

Instead of giving you my secrets and tips (because I really don't have many!) I'd like to direct you to this fantastic post about food photography from Vegan Yum Yum http://veganyumyum.com/2008/09/food-photography-for-bloggers/

Tell us about Adopt a blogger event. I was really impressed and sad though, that I couldn't be a part this time.

Adopt a Blogger was something I started to help new bloggers find their way in the blogging world. I love the buddy system and mentoring programs. Adopt a Blogger gives new bloggers the chance to be mentored by more experienced bloggers. I am really excited about how well this concept has been received!

More about your hobbies,interests

I love to cook, obviously! I love to travel... by car, boat, plane. I enjoy seeing America, stopping at small roadside cafes, etc. I enjoy reading, photography, family and girls nights out with other moms.

You are a regular reader of ....

USA Today, People Magazine, Coastal Living, Real Simple and tons of cooking magazines

Your favorite food blogs, other blogs -

I honestly can't single out any because I love so many. Two blogs that inspired me in the beginning and I still love today are French Kitchen in America (www.frenchkitcheninamerica.blogspot.com) and The Whistlestop Cafe (www.whistlestopcooking.blogspot.com)

How do you keep in touch with your fellow bloggers, do you use social sites?

Twitter is the only social networking site that I regularly use. I keep in touch with fellow bloggers by visiting and reading their blogs and responding to comments left on my site.

How are the social sites playing their part in blogging .

It is so interesting to see how many more bloggers I know now through Twitter alone. It is fun to network with people with same interests.

How blogging has changed your life?

It has re-awakened my love for writing. I've met so many new people and have been reconnected with people who I've lost contact with.

Who/what is your inspiration?

My mom is definitely my inspiration!

Do you host your blog in your own domain? what blog hosts you suggest for a new blogger/experienced blogger.
I use WebEx Hosting (www.webexhosting.com) and highly recommend them!

How do you cope up with the technical requirements for being a blogger

I think blogging has really made me want to learn more about technology. I do get frustrated about my lack of design experience. I wish I could do it all myself, but sometimes it is best to hire professionals to take over what you can't. It costs money, but saves on my frustration level down the road.

If people want to contact you through social media, are you available?

I am - kristen@dineanddish.net is my email. Twitter, Stumbleupon are both dineanddish

Your achievements as far as blogging is concerned so far.

I think the increase in the number of freelance writing gigs I have received is my biggest achievement. Last year, my blog was nominated and in the top five for the Well Fed Networks blog awards in the Family Friendly category. That was pretty exciting :)

Have you been to my site before?Do you have any comments for me?

I have been and I think you are doing a great job! I especially love the calcium rich focus.

Wow! Isn't it a great interview. I really enjoyed reading myself,especially the Photography tips.

I take this opportunity to Thank Kristen for her lovely interview, despite her busy schedule. Being a mom of 3, she is really busy!

I appreciate your comments and suggestions for future interviews. If you want anyone to be interviewed for this series, please let me know.

Don’t miss the interview series. Do subscribe in a READER

OR via EMAIL to my blog!

Checkout the previous foodie chats.

Read More

Foodie Chat - Whats cooking?, asks Ben!

One of the Food blogers who caught my attention was Ben from WhatsCooking. I stumbled his site through Leftover queen's forum. He has a very good collection of Mexican recipes and most of the time he cracks me up with his writing. Here he is sharing his views with us.

When and Why did you start a blog?

I've had a personal blog for several years now and I've met some amazing people through that. Every once in a while I would post recipes on that blog until one friend suggested I started a food blog. I started What's Cooking in the summer of 2007 and has been one of the best experiences I've had.

Have you cooked Indian recipes?What do you think about Indian Cuisine?

Unfortunately, I haven't cooked any Indian recipes yet. I have eaten Indian food here in the U.S. from places that are "authentic" and others not so much, and I've loved both. I like the use of spices in any kind of cuisine so Indian food is one of my favorites. Of course I would have to try the real deal to have a more accurate opinion.

Why did you choose food as a topic to blog?

I love to cook. I grew up in a small restaurant that belonged to my grandfather and then my parents so I have been around pots and food all my life. Maybe that's why food and I understand each other very well.

Which Cuisine you specialize in?

Mexican cuisine, although I love Italian and American food probably as much.

In a day, how many hours you spend blogging?

I probably spend about 4 hours cooking, taking pictures, editing pictures, writing the post and promoting it in a day. Plus the time I spend visiting and commenting on other blogs. Food blogging is all that! It is hard work, but I love it :)

Do you have any other hobbies other than blogging?

What I like about being a food blogger is it includes other of my favorite hobbies, photography, cooking, reading and meeting interesting people around the world. I also love to read, I try to read 2 or 3 books a week, watching movies and exercise.

What do you feel about blogging becoming a career?

I think it is one of the best ideas since the invention of the Internet!

Do you see any change in your blogging habits?

Yes, I know spend more time in front of the computer! Hahaha, I've also noticed that taking pictures of food and writing recipes has become easier.

Where do you see your blog 1 year from now?

I want to make a living out of it and would love to see myself working on it full time in a year.

Give us some tips to balance blogging and our life.

Just don't overdo it. I work from home and it is easy to spend a lot of time blogging, but I have found that creating a daily schedule of your activities is the best way to manage your time. I dedicate certain hours to do it and if I don't do everything I had planned in that period of time I just stop. My blog is not going anywhere, I can finish what I was doing tomorrow :)

What advice do you give to the new comers?

Be patient. With so many new blogs being creating each day it is hard to be noticed at first. But if you are patient, create a network of friends and, most importantly, have great content, your blog will succeed.

Do you have any other blogs other than the food blog?

Yes, a cooking blog in Spanish, and my personal blog in English and Spanish. I have neglected them lately, but I am planning on spending more time on them.

What do you feel about recent copyright issues?

It frustrates me that free loaders want to make a buck out of our hard work, but fortunately we have tools to fight back and that's what I love about this new virtual world.

Do you have any experience like this before? Any advice?(reg copyright issues)

Fortunately it hasn't happened to me, that I know of. But there are great suggestions on this discussion at the Leftover Queen forum. http://www.leftoverqueen.com/forum/index.php?topic=882.0

Your photography secrets and tips.

Lighting, lighting lighting. Photography captures the light on film, or in the case of digital photography through sensors. Make sure you have enough natural light, you don't want to use your camera's built-in flash. Light must hit the food from all directions, you can use a white piece of carton to reflect the light from different angles. I don't know much about arranging the food for the picture, but lighting for me is the single most important part.

Ok. Tell us how to say 'We love our Food and foodies' in spanish :)

Hmmm, there is no Spanish word for foodie, so I would say Amamos nuestra comida y amigos. :)

More about your hobbies,interests

Hmm did I mention that I love to read? I also have a cat and she takes away many hours of my life.

You are a regular reader of ....

books and newspapers? haha, if you want to know what food blogs I regularly read, the list is close to 100 and I try to read all of them in a regular basis.

Your favourite food blogs, other blogs

This is not a fair question! I read them because there is something I like from them, but if I had to choose only 3 I would say Sass & Veracity, Souvlaki for the Soul and Spanish Recipes.

How do you keep in touch with your fellow bloggers, do you use social sites?

I love twitter. I wish the day had more hours to do more blogging related activities, but at least with twitter I can see what they are doing and doesn't take much time away from me.

How are the social sites playing their part in blogging

They play a big part, I believe. People are going there to find other people with similar interests and if they like what you see on your blog the growth can be exponential.

How blogging has changed your life?

I think it has made me more aware of the world that is around me. Now we can easily see how other people eat and live and that is an amazing thing. Learning new things and meeting new people with different points of view is what keeps life interesting.

Your favourite cooking show, cookbook, cuisine, restaurant, food

Cooking show: Molto Mario.
Cookbook: I don't have a favorite one.
Restaurant: The Cheesecake factory.
Food: Mexican, Italian, American.

Who/what is your inspiration?

My mom, first of all, and the whole food blogosphere.

Do you host your blog in your own domain? what blog hosts you suggest for a new blogger/experienced blogger.

I do. I am with IX Webhost and I haven't had many problems with them. They are fast in addressing problems and concerns and they just moved all their servers to my city. So that is a plus!

How do you cope up with the technical requirements for being a blogger.

With a cup of coffee and a full stomach! Hahaha. Another thing that I love about blogging is that any technical problem that I encounter somebody else has already had it, fix it and post the solution somewhere on the net. Google is my favorite, and a very powerful, tool as a blogger.

If people want to contact you through social media, are you available?

Sure, follow me on twitter "whatscooking" I have a facebook account (which I don't use very often) arimou0@gmail.com (is that how you find people there?) or you can visit my forum and post a comment there at http://whatscooking.us/smf

Your achievements as far as blogging is concerned so far.

I think the most important achievement is the marvelous people I've met all over the world. I feel like I am part of a huge and kind worldwide family. Without my readers, the blog would be nothing, right?

Have you been to my site before?Do you have any comments for me?

Yes I have. I would say keep up the good work because there is always something new to learn from your site.

I take this opportunity to Thank Ben for his lovely interview, despite his busy schedule.

I appreciate your comments and suggestions for future interviews. If you want anyone to be interviewed for this series, please let me know.

Don’t miss the interview series. Do subscribe in a READER

OR via EMAIL to my blog!

Checkout the previous foodie chats.

Read More

Foodie Chat - Jill McKeever, The founder of GCC and Simple Daily Recipes

I bet, most of foodies are members of the Great Cooks Community. A cool community for Foodies to chat and share views. Have you ever wondered to meet the person behind this? Oh ya! I have!, which led me to this great interview with the lovely lady Jill McKeever. She also authors a food blog Simple Daily Recipes where she writes about kid friendly recipes and I love her food blog and Food blog template! With no further delay let us hear what Jill has got to say.

Sangeeth : How did u get the idea of blogging? When did u start blogging?(The usual question!)

Jill: I had always used sites like BettyCrocker.com, AllRecipes, even Target.com to find recipes. The problem I kept running into was that there wasn't a picture to go along with recipes. When I would find a site that had photos, it was of food my kids wouldn't touch. I told my husband, "I wish there was a site that had kid friendly recipes with pictures."

Being the web developer in the family, he said, "Why don't you create a recipe blog?" I had heard of blogs being online personal journals but had no idea there was a food community. I thought I was building a website that would act as a online cookbook of kid friendly recipes for busy families. I wrote my first post June 29, 2007.

S: I know you are a mom, teacher and a very busy person, how do you manage your time? Any tips on time management for us?

J: I "Block" projects and daily tasks in front of me. I work one task at a time until it's time is up. Setting a time limit as to how long I spend on a task is a big help. If I run out of time, I just stop. Take a few minutes to regroup then move onto the next responsibility.

Having certain times of the day and certain days of the week for particular projects or tasks, is another sanity saver.

Determining what tasks to do first takes just a pen & notepad. Before I go to bed, I fill out my "If Nothing Else" list.
If I get nothing else done at work, I must...
If I get nothing else done at home, I must...

I also consider what jobs will only take 20% of my time and give an 80% return. I do what grows my blog first, i.e. posting good articles, editing photos.
Tasks such as clearing emails, checking traffic stats, catching up on tweets, facebook updates, leaving comments, don't grow my blog into a valuable resource for others to keep coming back to read.

S: Perfectly explained Jill. Thanks! An effective time management is what every Foodie needs, especially me!

S: There are people who blog all day, how many hours you spend blogging?

J: If you mean actual time on the laptop, 6 to 8 hours, Monday through Friday.
The hours I spend thinking about article topics, researching recipes, cooking, photography, grocery shopping & exploring foods...countless.

S: Can a person make a living from food blogging?, your views.

J: DEFINITELY, but not overnight. This is not a hobby. It's a profession for me. I'm not ready to buy my first condo in Hawaii, yet. I'm years away with many more lessons to learn. Like any small business owner, a food blogger must have a product or service that provides a benefit to others and persevere to get the word out about their product or service. And like any small business, a professional food blog, needs time to grow & develop, acquire return readers, and grow to gain a financial return on the food blogger's investment.

Folks blog for different reasons and that's totally cool. For those wanting to be successful bloggers (whatever "success" means to you), I say to you;

Think of blogging as a large marathon. You're running along with thousands of other runners. Thousands start off in the marathon, but very few finish the race. If you want to be a successful blogger, you have to persevere, endure, and keep running, no matter what the other runners are doing around you. Just keep running.

You can look up ahead and see what the more experienced are doing. You can look to the left & right to see what your peers are doing. But BE YOURSELF, DO YOUR OWN THING, and keep your own pace. There's plenty of room for everyone to succeed, so long as they keep running.

S: What can I say? You prove that you are a teacher! Great tips Jill.

S: Do you have any other blogs other than the food blog?

J: No. I'm not capable of keeping up on more than one.

S: How do you keep in touch with your fellow bloggers, do you use social sites?
How are the social sites playing their part in blogging?

J: My newest social tools are Twitter and Facebook. Even though I've had accounts set up for awhile. I just recently uploaded the plugins to my Firefox browser. Now, I'm constantly in touch with my readers & fellow bloggers. IT ROCKS! Both give me the feeling of a virtual online work place. Before I get down to business, I love to greet my Twitter & Facebook family. Through out the day, between/while regrouping for the next task, I check in on everyone. Kind like standing around the water cooler or break room, I get a chance to touch base with every one before I go back to my desk.

I also like the real time factor these plugins provide. I have them connected to my blog, so as soon as I post a recipe, my Twitter & Facebook family know about it first!

And of course, my all time favorite social network is Great Cooks Community. All the cool folks hang there.

S: Twitter rocks! I know what you are saying, I follow you ;)

S: If people want to contact you through social media, are you available?

J: Twitter (Jill McKeever) and Facebook (Jill McKeever) are the happening places for me right now.

S: I am in Twitter(sankum) and Facebook(Sangeeth Raghunathan) too!

S: Food Photography is the most famous topic in food blog world, can I ask what is your secret of great photographs?

J: Natural light, never use flash lighting, and Photoshop Elements!

S: How do you cope with the technical requirements for being a blogger.

J: I wouldn't be a blogger if I wasn't married to a web developer. My husband runs the technical development. I cook, photograph, write and socialize. I'm not saying I don't know anything, but we agreed a long time ago that we can accomplish more if we kept doing what we know best. We have always worked well together. We're constantly discussing how to grow Simple Daily Recipes and Great Cooks Community.

S: OK. Now for my selfish question. Have you been to my site before? Do you have any comments for me?

J: Sangeeth, you're doing very well. It's obvious that you are serious about your blog and the content that you provide to your readers. You are creating a resource for other's to depend on and that's so very important. Keep being you and just keep running.

I take this opportunity to Thank Jill for her lovely interview, despite her busy schedule.

I appreciate your comments and suggestions for future interviews. If you want anyone to be interviewed for this series, please let me know.

Don’t miss the interview series. Do subscribe in a READER

OR via EMAIL to my blog!

Checkout the previous foodie chats.

Read More

Foodie Chat - Interview with our lovely Cynthia!

This week's foodie needs no introduction. She has been and will be a great inspiration to many. I am really happy to present an interview of our favorite Cynthia from Tastes like home. When I started blogging, her blog is one of my inspirations. She is one of the simplest and humblest food blogger I have come across.

I have learned many recipes from her blog and also have wondered how she takes such beautiful pictures. I have always wanted answers to these and now we have our dear Cynthia openly talking about blogging with us.

Sangeeth : How did u get the idea of blogging?

Cynthia : The idea to have a blog was not mine, it belongs to my best friend, Susan. Once I started writing my newspaper column she encouraged me to create a blog.

S: When did u start blogging?

C: In September of 2006, I had a blog called In Good Taste, that was related to another set of columns but my current blog, Tastes Like Home was created in January 2007.

S: Why did you choose this topic to blog?

C: The column Tastes Like Home was borne out of my longing for the food of my homeland, Guyana since I now live in another country.

My newspaper column is titled, Tastes Like Home, hence the name of my blog. My blog is really an extension of my column, it is a place for readers to interact with me and for us to discuss stuff from the
column.

S: Have you any ambitions of stepping up to the next level, writing on a site attracting the mainstream media's attention – or having a go at professional writing directly?

C: When you say mainstream media, are you referring to media in North America and Europe?

My newspaper column is currently published in newspapers in three Caribbean countries - Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda and St. Kitts Nevis. And then again, one does not get more mainstream than the internet :)

If by writing professionally you mean, the writing being my main job and source of income... as long as the opportunities continue to present themselves then yes. You see, in addition to the newspaper column, I also write for a Regional Caribbean Women's Magazine and I have a food column in Whitesands Magazine (a Canadian Real Estate Magazine). I've also written for a West Indian newspaper in Canada.

S: wow! Cynthia. Is there a way for us to read those?


S: In a day, how many hours you spend blogging?

C: I don't blog every day. On average I'd say that at any given time, I don't spend more than 2 hours blogging..

S: Do you have any other hobbies other than blogging?

C: Of course! I enjoy playing my keyboard and reading. I really love reading. I read a lot for my work at the college as well as my food writing but I really enjoy pleasure reading like Novels etc. I like travelling too and discovering new things and new places.

S: Do you see any change in your blogging habits?

C: Oh definitely, at first, like most bloggers I think and just like when you have a new toy, you can't seem to get enough of it :) Constantly checking your comments, tweaking your blog template etc. That obsession had to stop quickly though because, like I mentioned, I have a full time job teaching and it demands my attention and so too does my writing. I also wanted to ensure that there was balance to my life.

S: oh! I know. I still do this. Got to stop sometime soon!

S: Where do you see your blog 1 year from now?

C: With a new look for sure :)

S: What advice do you give to the new comers?

C: Balance, balance, balance - do not let blogging take over your life.

S: Do you have any other blogs other than the food blog?

C: Yes, I co-author a blog, Forgive Me My Nonsense... with my friend Bee from Jugalbandi, it is a place to let off some steam and just comment on things going on around us. S: What do you feel about recent copyright issues?

I am outraged. The lack of respect for other people's work is appalling. I mean, how much would it take to write an email asking permission to use someone's work? Treat people and their possessions the way you would like to be treated.

S: You are right, Cynthia.

S: Do you have any experience like this before? Any advice?(Reg Copyright issues)

C: Knock wood. I have not had to deal with this too much. There were 3 occasions last year when people had lifted by photographs and columns and posted it on their sites. I immediately wrote strongly-worded emails to all three persons and within 24 hours they responded by removing my content from their sites and apologizing.

I also set my preferences on my photo hosts restricting certain views, copying etc. I also watermark my photographs. But to be honest with you Sangeeth, there will always be dishonest people and the most we can do is to look out for each other.

S: Can bloggers earn from blogging? Yes. Do you earn from your blog? Yes. If yes, can you tell us more?

C: Each month Foodbuzz (which is the only advertisement I have on my site) sends me a cheque every month. I know that other bloggers have a variety of advertisers on their sites and earn from those as well.
In the past I've received offers from other advertisers but I find that some of them demand too much real estate on one's blog without a fair return.

S: What is your typical day consist of?

C: A typical day finds me monitoring my student’s performance as they broadcast from the College's radio station, writing and reading. I don't cook everyday :)

S: Tell us about your family.

C: My family is pretty small, it's just me, my mom, brother, Eon, sister, Pat and my nephew, Ethan. I am the eldest and my brother is the youngest.

I am from a bi-racial family, my mom is Indian and my dad was African. My family lives in Guyana. I live in Barbados.

S: More about your hobbies,interests

C: I like watching good movies and shows, I have very little tolerance for medicore stuff. I love to people watch, you know, you go somewhere and there are lots of people and you sit there, watch them pass by and think about what kind of jobs they do, what their lives are like etc. I don't know if this qualifies as a hobby or interest but I do like to spend quiet time, all by myself.
S: You are a regular reader of ....

C: many things

S: How do you keep in touch with your fellow bloggers, do you use social sites?

C: You mean such as facebook? To be honest, although I have a facebook account, it is just to have a presence there, I don't really get the time to socialize there. I keep in touch with my fellow bloggers by emails. We write each other frequently about a variety of things.
S: Your favorite food blogs, other blogs
C: There are too many to mention here but there is a blog in particular that I like to visit because the author goes to these amazing places and gives real insight into his subjects. The site is www.fxcuisine.com
S: How blogging has changed your life?
C: From the emails I get from readers, especially Caribbean readers, I know that I am bringing something special to their lives by reconnecting them to home they left a long time ago and also it gives them an opportunity to share with their family and friends some of the foods they've been raving about. For my non-Caribbean readers, it is an introduction to new ingredients and dishes. It is amazing to see also how we are all not so different. I love learning news dishes and ways of preparing ingredients seen on other blogs.

S: very true.
S: Your favorite cooking show, cookbook, cuisine, restaurant, food?

C: Cooking show, there are three: Lydia's Italy, Amercia's Test Kitchen & Tyler's Ultimate :) Sorry, couldn't just name one.
Favourite Cookbook: Food Blogs! Come on, the variety is amazing and totally awesome.
Favourite Cuisine: Chinese (gosh but Thai, Vietnamese, Indian & Caribbean are right up there!)
Favourite Restaurant: Don't have one (and that does not mean I cannot name just one:))
Favourite Food: do you mean like a favourite dish? If so, fish curry

S: Who/what is your inspiration?

C: My inspiration comes from all around and many people

S: Do you host your blog in your own domain? What blog hosts you suggest for a new blogger/experienced blogger?

C: Yes I host my blog in my own domain and I also have hosting services but I currently use blogger's platform.

Suggestions for new bloggers: I like blogger because it is simple with it's point and click, drag and drop guides. It also allows you to manipulate the html template as much as you like, most other hosts require you to have a pro account in order to be able to play around with their templates.
S: How do you cope up with the technical requirements for being a blogger?

C: I don't! I mean I do basic things like adding a page etc and at first, I made some html changes but since I got this template I'm currently using from a friend who is a web developer, I don't tinker around. I rely on her for my technical stuff.

S: You lucky!!!

S: If people want to contact you through social media, are you available?

C: Social media, again does that mean Facebook? I'd say that the best way to contact and communicate with me is through email and yes I am available. Like I said before, I don't really get the time to socialize on facebook. Besides, I find facebook a bit too public for me.

S: Your achievement as far as blogging is concerned so far.

C: I'd have to say my photography
S: How do you take wonderful food pictures? Any tip to newbies.

C: The photography is a constant learning venture. I experiment a lot.

Tips for newbies: Read your manual with the camera in the other hand. Experiment, experiment, experiment. Lighting is the life of many photographs, start by shooting as often as you can in natural lighting and this will prevent you having to use your flash. Focus, most cameras allow you to set the focus automatically and then shoot, use this feature. If you're focusing manually, well then you are in control, ensure that what you are see through the lens is clear and in sharp focus.

S: How can I not ask this.....Tell us more about the book you are writing. How is it coming?When are you publishing it. What is the name of the book etc.

C: The book is part food memoir, part cookbook. It is based on selected columns and accompanying recipes. The book will have 100 recipes. It is currently with the publishers in the UK and though it was expected out in October, the publishers have pushed back the launch date. What I do know is that the book will be out in time to capitalize on the Christmas sales. The book is called: My Caribbean Cookbook, Tastes Like Home.
S: Last question, Have you been to my site before? Do you have any comments for me?

C: Yes, I've been to your site before and not often enough :)

I can tell that you are obviously good with html with the way you have organized and created things for your blog. You have a wealth of information there also. One of my favorite things is your glossary, I have learnt so much from it.

S: Oh Thanks Cynthia!

I take this opportunity to Thank Cynthia for her quick response to the interview request despite her busy schedule.

I appreciate your comments and suggestions for future interviews.

Don’t miss the interview series. Do subscribe in a READER

OR via EMAIL to my blog!

Checkout the previous foodie chat.

Read More

Foodie Chat - An Interview with The Leftover Queen!

As a newbie in this foodie world, I had lot of questions, lot of hesitations to contact people, a lot of unanswered questions about whom to contact and how to proceed in the right track. I did not have an experienced person to guide me. Every one would have struggled their way to get to the place where they are now. To get the inspiration and determination to sustain in this foodie blog world, I had an idea to interview foodies who are successful.

This is not only an interview, but my way of telling thanks and crediting the person who has achieved so much in this foodie world. Through this interview series, I want to make sure that we all learn more about the foodie and also their extraordinary work.

When this ‘Interview’ thought hit my mind, I had few people immediately into the list and one such person is Jenn. Who is Jenn? The left over Queen. Ha! now you remember! She is more commonly known as the ‘Leftover Queen’ and the proud owner of www.leftoverqueen.com and the mega Foodie Blog roll.

Jenn, one of the foodies you must get to know, is from Florida. If you have been to her website before, I am sure you wouldn't have left her site without subscribing. Yes! She has a variety of recipes stocked and the food photography is awesome. I have seen many pictures which makes people hungry by the very sight of it. You can check out her Gallery for more. It is really a treat for our eyes.

There is no need to introduce you to the Foodie Blogroll. One of the most happening blogrolls I have ever come across. I got many friends through this blogroll and I suggest all the foodies to get enrolled. Click for more details on how to enroll. 

When mentioning about her website, I ought to mention about the forum she has created and maintained (Hats off Jenn! You are doing a great job there) for us foodies to share our views and exchange ideas. 

Enjoy reading the interview!

Sangeeth: How did u get the idea of blogging?

Jenn: I have always loved to write, and food is one of my favorite things to talk about, read about and experiment with. So it just made sense to start a blog.

S: When did u start blogging?

J: August 2006

S: Why did you choose this topic to blog?

J: Because it is one of my favorite topics!

S: Mine too, cooking is an art and you can never say a ‘NO’ to something highly creative.

S: In a day, how many hours you spend blogging?

J: Usually about 6-8 - that includes responding to emails, comments and writing/photographing for posts and all the Foodie Blogroll maintenance.


S: Do you have any other hobbies other than blogging?

J: Well, cooking and eating of course,but I also enjoy reading, going to the movies, taking walks on the beach with my husband.

S: Beaches!!! One of the reason I love florida!

S: Do you find the absence of advertisements essential, or rather: do you
feel that it is a strength in terms of independence and reliability?

J: I think it depends on the person and their blog. I don't see anything wrong with advertising, especially when we all put so much time and effort into our blogs, it makes sense to be compensated for that.

S: I specifically asked this question because, there are people in the web who says ads are distraction. But as you said, it depends on the person and their blog.

S: Do you see any change in your blogging habits?

J: I spend a lot more time blogging than I used to, and the time increases as the time goes by.

S: Magic of blogging!

S: Where do you see your blog 1 year from now?

J: Hopefully very much in the same place that it is right now. But hopefully with more readership! A girl can dream a little right? :)

S: What advice do you give to the new comers?

J: NETWORK. That is the best way to get to know others in the blogging community and for others to get to know you. If you want people to comment and become a regular reader of your blog, you need to go out there and do the same on other blogs - get yourself out there.

S: Very true. What you do is what you get in return. I recently wrote a post on Top 10 Social Networking Sites for Foodies which might be of some relevance here.

S: Do you have any other blogs other than the food blog?

J: I have Jenn's Travel Closeup http://www.travelcloseup.com -My first blog. I write about the places we travel to and also do restaurant reviews.

S: What do you feel about recent copyright issues?

J: I have always felt that as long as you follow the copyright laws for recipe writing you should be fine. I have had some issues in the past with people stealing my content without giving the proper credit. When that has happened in the past, I was able to get the person to remove that content from their blog by going through the hosting company. If someone credits me, I have no problem with them posting my recipes.

S: You are a regular reader of ....

J: There are too many to list, but off the top of my head:

No Fear Entertaining
The Olive Notes
Kalofagas
Souvlaki For the Soul
Foto Cuisine:
Spanish Recipes
The Gluten Free Hippie
More Than Burnt Toast
Dad~Baker & Chef
What's Cooking?
Coco Cooks
Gild the Voodolily
Sugar Plum

S: How do you keep in touch with your fellow bloggers, do you use social
sites?

J: Mostly through our blogs. There are also some that I email regularly and I am a big fan of facebook and Foodbuzz.

S: How blogging has changed your life?

J: It has become the best job in the world, I never knew existed 3 years ago. The changes it has made to my life is all positive, from the great new friends I have met, to the daily inspiration.

S: Your favourite cooking show, cookbook, cuisine, restaurant, food?

J: My favorite food is Mediterranean, if I have to pick just one, Lebanese or Greek. My favorite food related show is Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. My favorite cookbook is the Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, my favorite restaurant is Marrakesh in VA.

S: Who/what is your inspiration?

J: All the people that support me in my life, my husband, Roberto and my mom, as well as all the wonderful food bloggers I have become friends with over these years. I always refer back to the simple cooking of my grandparents and I am always inspired by the way food can bring people together across cultures. It is a beautiful thing.

S: Do you host your blog in your own domain? what blog hosts you suggest
for a new blogger/experienced blogger?

J: Yes, I have my own domain. I think this is the best, because you have a lot of flexibility. But the most user friendly free hosting company out there has got to be blogger (blogspot)

S: Yey! I use blogspot!

S: How do you cope up with the technical requirements for being a blogger?

J: I have a technical genius of a husband who takes care of the technical side of my blog! Thank Goodness!

S: If people want to contact you through social media, are you available?

J: Yes, I am very good at getting back to people via email or my blog.


S: How did you get the idea of Blogroll?


J: I felt there was a need for it. There is such a huge food blogging community on line. At the time that I started my blog, there was no place for food bloggers to get together and network. So I decided to take that idea and run with it.


S: Why did you want to write a book? Let us know more about your book 'The Secret Energy of Love Through Food.'

J: I love to write and have been doing writing of various kinds all through my life. My book, The Secret Energy of Love Through Food is the cumulation of my years working for a holistic doctor and my own research in the kitchen. I have a passion for food, but also for a healthy lifestyle. Also, I think people show people how much they care for one another through cooking and food everyday. This book celebrates that and gives inspiration to do it more often!


S: Last question, Have you been to my site before?Do you have any comments for me?

J: I am glad that you contacted me, because that introduced me to your blog. Indian cuisine is one that I love, but have rarely made at home. I am always looking for delicious, healthy and simple recipes so that I can explore the cuisine more.


S: You have to give it a try, Jenn. Indian cuisine has more variety than you expect.

That’s it folks! Also, Jenn, along with her friends, is conducting O Foods for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Contest! in honor of Gina DePalma, author of Dolce Italiano: Desserts from the Babbo Kitchen and Executive Pastry Chef of Babbo Ristorante in NYC, who was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Please take a minute to read and will surely appreciate if you could contribute.

I thank you all for reading this interview. I am planning to do more such interviews and I am working towards it. Hope to see you soon with another interview of a great foodie!

I take this opportunity to Thank Jenn for her quick response to the interview request despite her busy schedule.

Don’t miss the interview series. Do subscribe in a READER

OR via EMAIL to my blog!

I appreciate your comments and suggestions, any question in particular for future interviews. Also, if you would like to ask Jenn anything in addition to these above questions, do let me know through your comments.

Read More