Simon Majumdar
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Food bloggers are the bane of every restaurant owner’s life — I know, I am one.
Two and a half years ago, when I started my food blog Dos Hermanos with my brother, Robin, we were part of what was a relatively small group of enthusiasts keen to record our cooking and dining habits in words and blurry pictures.
Now, at the opening of any new restaurant you will see tables occupied by diners making detailed notes of each bite while snapping away with their cameras before rushing home to pontificate about their meal online.
At the last count there were more than 10,000 food blogs online around the world with more being started every day.
There are blogs in every country and covering every cuisine. There are blogs about home cooking and blogs about fine dining, blogs about rare wine and blogs about home-brewed beers. There is even a blog dedicated to the humble hot dog.
If it can be cooked and consumed someone is blogging about it.
However, for every food blogger who offers up a genuine challenge to the professional critics, there are 10 who don’t know their amuse bouche from their petit fours.
Working your way through them can be a laborious task, but I have done it so you don’t have to. Here are my top 10 favourite food blogs.
TOP 10 FOOD BLOGS
1) Mexico cooks
Cristina Potter’s knowledge of Mexican food is matched only by her passion for her adopted home. The best starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about the varied cuisine of this extraordinary country.
2) Eating Asia
Robyn Eckhardt knows more about the food of South East Asia than anyone I have ever encountered. Check out a recent post on The Philippines for an example of superb food writing.
The quirky journal of a man whose eating is restricted by the Jewish rules of Kashrut, the author still seems to pack away plenty of food and writes about it very well.
All food bloggers should aspire to be as good as Helen Yee. Her wonderful website, mainly about Sydney is a daily read for me even if she is discussing places halfway across the world.
Clotilde Dusoulier’s online presence remains the ne plus ultra of French food blogs and has been supported by the recent publication of books based on her experiences of shopping, eating and cooking in Paris.
6) Wine anorak
Jamie Goode’s unfussy approach to wine opens a mysterious world up to a whole new audience and his tales of travels in search of the best bottles are amusing and informative.
Featuring the exploits of food journalist, William Leigh, this blog could only be improved if he posted more often. When he does, it is well worth reading.
There are few people on this earth who can have eaten at as many fine-dining establishments as Liz Haskell and her husband, John. Every bite they take is captured in minute detail on her well-designed blog.
Although a relatively new contender, Chris Pople is slowly developing a distinctive and enjoyable writing style, which makes his blog a fun stopping off point with my morning cup of tea.
10) Eat like a girl
More like “Eat Like a Baby Elephant” as Irish ex-pat Niamh Shields shares delicious recipes on the few occasions she is not dining out.
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www.mycookinghut.com has amazing pictures and usually fantastic recipes. Give it a try.
Joe, Manchester, UK
try helengraves.co.uk her food stories blog is brilliant
andrew, st thomas de courceriers, France
try www.recipes2share.com - Fantastic!
Phil, paris, France
I love reading these comments! Thanks, readers, for posting even more delicious blogs to peruse!!
Jackie, Hoboken, NJ, USA
Eating out in Tokyo with Terry and Rude about Food are great Tokyo (and other) resources.
Cheryl, Tokyo, Japan
I agree with Marianne, www.fxcuisine.com is way ahead of everyone, including Clothilde (who I adore).
Denny, albotteville,
Another good site from Australia, this time from Melbourne, is Cook almost anything: http://cookalmostanything.blogspot.com/
Deirdre McNally, Melbourne, Australia
ultimate food blog for probably the most food obsessed place in the world ... Singapore
http://ieatishootipost.sg/
will tell you where to get the best of pretty much anything, amazing resource ...
Guy, Sydney, Australia
Am I a complete Philistine for appreciating this homage to the great British heart attack on a plate?
http://russelldavies.typepad.com/eggbaconchipsandbeans/
Louis, Nottingham, UK
Smitten Kitchen (smittenkitchen.com) has gorgeous recipes and photography.
Homesick Texan (http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/) is a must-read for Tex-Mex flavors.
J.R., Austin,
There is also a very good blog about a commis chef working behind the scenes at Rick Stein's restaurant and other places...it has good tips and tricks of the trade
http://salmonandtroutinpadstowandlondon.blogspot.com/2008/12/week-at-rick-steins.html
Lennie Nash, London, UK
I cannot believe you didn't place FXcuisine among the worlds top 10. It is THE most admired foodblog around - witty, entertaining, outrageous, sophisticated and at the same time down to earth. See for yourself http://fxcuisine.com/
Marianne, Stockholm, Sweden
Oh, check out the Epi-log food site Epicurious.com's wonderful blog. Very entertaining!
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/blogs/editor
Lisa, NY, US
If you're traveling to Northern California wine country, forkandbottle.com is a must for restaurant reviews. Also good recipes for the home cook and wine reviews.
Kelly, Napa, USA
I know a nice blog - Malaysian food and some French food...
http://www.mycookinghut.com
Amy, London, UK
Hello,
Chocolate and Zucchini is good for recipes, but the site hungryforparis.com has much better restaurant reviews.
Cheers,
Barbara Mida, paris, france