This matter about blogging
Nearly every week, Paris hosts conferences or panels where students and the outside community are encouraged to listen to the invited guest speaker. I’ve just never been interested enough to go, but I couldn’t miss out on tonight’s event. But really, what really snagged my attention was the fact that the discussion was centered on my favorite topic – FOOD.
How and where do people hear about the latest in food? How are expats different than the natives on their approach to eating out in Paris? Are social media sites trusted resources for foodies, travelers, locals?
Sometimes, it amazes how one can make a career from the culinary arts. Whether that is from actually cooking the food to writing about it. Honestly, I’m jealous. I love food. I spend a superfluous amount of time browsing through the aisles at the grocery and Parisian groceries aren’t even that big to begin with. While some classmates choose to fill their closets to the brim with the latest designer items, I prefer to spend my money by filling my fridge. I’m sure if I weren’t living off a meager babysitter’s budget, I would indulge myself with the many restaurants that Paris has to offer instead of eating in every night. But, I’m content with my hot plate cooking. If anything, my only complaint is that I have no one to share my meals with. It thoroughly warms my heart when I see a full table of food bringing people together. I have such happy memories of rambunctiously loud Filipino parties filled with giant steaming aluminum pans of pancit, lumpia, and rice! The smell, the sight, the taste, the atmosphere! I think this is why I started a cooking club at AUP. I just wanted to get that feeling again of being surrounded by people who eat with such gusto, by not caring about carbs or calories.
I would admit that cooking is certainly a passion of mine, but despite my ranting, I am certainly no connoisseur. I can’t even spell the word without my computer correcting it for me. I cook because I like to feed people and see them glow from a full belly. Unless you count watching the Food Network or browsing the Internet, I really don’t have any formal training. I don’t know what knives to use or the differences in dicing, yet nevertheless, I can produce a dish that I’m proud to serve and people are eager to eat.
Earlier this night, I was surrounded by men and women who made a name for themselves in the culinary world. Besides book deals and magazine features, they have proper websites of their own with stellar graphics and a loyal fan base. Below, I’ve included a list of links to their sites as well as a quick bio. Sometimes, I think about putting a serious effort into my blog. But what could make me stand out as a blogger in this already oversaturated blogosphere? It’s certainly not the fact that I’m another American living in Paris. Yawn. If I intend to get serious about my Internet presence and grabbing reader’s attention, I really need to focus on my unique selling points. I have a few ideas of focusing on “cooking on a hot plate” or “Paris pas cher”, but I’m scared of following through.
And now that info about those (established) bloggers!
http://purplefoodie.com/ – Wasn’t a guest speaker at the event, but someone I met by accident. Originally from Bombay, Shaheen has numerous recognitions up her sleeve and is working her way up to the top. Despite all that fame, she’s wonderfully kind and down to earth. She’ll be studying at the Cordon Bleu soon (much to my envy!) and what’s even crazier is that she graduated university as a Marketing major like myself. Role model? I think oui.
http://www.lostincheeseland.com/ – As far as catchy names goes, Lindsey’s blog wins it for sure! This girl is an AUP alumna who has really made a name for herself with her award-winning site. She’s living the dream, American who fell in love with France as well as a Frenchman. It is all very cliché to me, but hey – this is Paris. Americans love a good Francophile.
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/ – As far all of the other speakers are concerned; this is the only person I actually heard of before the event. He has a fabulously helpful site about cooking in Paris as an unknowing expat. I think in terms of Parisian living blogs, David is a legend. He was a professional cook and baker for most of his life and has been featured in many major American news outlets for his work. I even managed to snag a photo with him!