BEYOND THE RECIPE: THE VALUE OF WHAT BLOGGERS HAVE TO SAY

Last summer, we rented a beach house in Martha’s Vineyard. The kids enjoyed their walks on the bea . . . HOLD UP. Are you seriously about to hit that JUMP-TO-THE-RECIPE button? Don’t you want to read about how my son stepped on a starfish and pissed his seersucker shorts? Honestly, I wouldn’t want to read that either. In fact, I don’t have a summer beach house in the Vineyard or a son who’d be caught dead in seersucker anything. What I DO have is a love for writing and sharing many passions in the life of a creative, but I get it. Sometimes, you just want the damn recipe! Believe me, I’ve jumped to the recipe a million times over. So, why does it bother me when readers do the same to me? And why do I encourage them to do so by having a jump-to-the-recipe button in the first place?

HARD TRUTHS

Let me start by saying I am super salty about this topic. As a blogger/writer/bullshitter, whatever you want to call it, I find those who voice their grievances toward wordy recipe blogs in their own blog posts or on social media to be quite brusque and ill-mannered. We hear you, Stacey. We know you are extremely inconvenienced, so yes, we’ve included a jump-to-the-recipe button just for you! My hard truth is that I have to understand why you like leapfrogging right to the good shit.  

But let’s be on the up and up with YOUR hard truths, honey. You wouldn’t need to search for this recipe if you knew how to cook it in the first place. I agree that we don’t have time to read every recipe post we come across. We also live in a world that has taught us to “want and need it right now!” It makes sense that our patience and attention span has dwindled. But what if I told you that reading the damn blog post is essential to the success of your execution of said recipe?

SO, WHY DO WE DO IT?

Reason #1 “Ain’t nobody got time for that.”

The reason I do it is because I periodically have epic failures in the kitchen. When I need to make a recipe for a client in a hurry, I just need a quick view of how others pull it off. Do I cuss and flail around about how much mess I have to scroll through just to get to the recipe? Not at all. I realize that their recipes are free to me, and they certainly don’t owe me easy access to them. So, this is where you can practice “kind scrolling.” Yes, it’s a thing. 

Reason #2 “What if I can’t eat it?”

In this day and age, households have more and more food allergies. It makes sense that recipe seekers immediately want to know if the recipe has something in it that’ll kill their significant other. By all means, Pam, jump to that damn recipe! But sometimes, those recipe blogs will have a short section of substitutions to accommodate those with allergies. 

Reason #3 “I just don’t care.”

If you’re one of these, I can only say this: 

Complaining about all of the ads or lengthy stories about bloggers’ lives is hurtful. The recipes we share aren’t just food. They are our culture. They are our identity. They are our creativity. If I’m going to share something that is close to my heart just for you, by gosh, I’m going to be part of it. You want my food, you’re getting me too. 

So, what types of food bloggers do you choose to ignore? 

Oh good, you’re still here. Ahem . . . I see you looking for that jump-to-the-recipe button. Don’t bother. There’s not one. 

THE THREE TYPES OF FOOD BLOGGERS AND WHICH ONES TO AVOID

You don’t avoid any of them, Ashleigh! There are so many blogs out there dissing these wordy food bloggers. Stop Yammering and Give Me the Damn Recipe is one I stumbled upon recently. And no, I won’t share the link because screw her. I’m here to be the voice for the food writers, recipe bloggers, and all-around heart and soul sharers of the food world. 

During the span of my food blogging career, I’ve come across various food blogger archetypes. Hear me when I say they are all needed and appreciated. But just in case you’re one of those who just “cannot” anymore, here is a breakdown of a few and why they trigger so many.

THE STEP-BY-STEP RECIPE BLOGGER

This one is preferred if you want to learn how to cook. Show me beautiful food shots with step-by-step instructions on how to pull off the recipe, and I am in! Who doesn’t love a photo reference on the evolution of your dish? Why does it trigger you? Perhaps six photos of the same dish from different angles may seem redundant, but those photos are there to entice you into wanting to create the dish. They’re also a visual of how your finished dish should look. To go a step further, they can inspire you to make your recipe look better than that of the blogger! It’s free education. I don’t know about you, but I dig free anything.

THE WEALTHY STAY-AT-HOME WIFEY WHO JUST NEEDS SOMEONE TO TALK TO RECIPE BLOGGER

Don’t think for one second that I’m making fun of this blogger. She’s real and needs this outlet to get her through life’s cruel monotony. I won’t touch on this one too much because I’m not looking to have a mob of housewives coming at me. I feel like I can speak on this because I used to be one, though. So, I carry that card, Brittnee. 

I actually enjoy this blogger! She’s fresh and happy and makes cooking look like it’s super fun. If that’s not a refreshing break from the harsh reality of scoring last weekend’s garage sale baking sheet pan instead of a $48 William’s Sonoma pro non-stick corrugated option, then I don’t know what the hell is, Olivia. 

THE RENAISSANCE WOMAN WHO WANTS TO WRITE ABOUT ALL OF HER INTERESTS

This one right here. Bless this beast of a woman. I really do care . . . I mean, she really cares, y’all. She’s here for you. 

She loves cooking, music, art, self-care, creativity, mindfulness, and likes to vent about stupid shit that gets under her skin. Is she too much for you? Does she stir up too much anxiety within you? You can a) Google How to Get Through a Food Blogger’s Post Who Just So Happens to Be a Baddie and Has Adult Onset ADHD or you can b) just jump to the recipe, Brayleigh. But do it with kindness. Don’t let it ruin your day.

If this blog post finds you completely drained, please submit an “I’ve Had It” complaint to the I’ve Had It podcast because, positive or negative, I’d sure love the exposure! Plus, it’s my new favorite podcast, but I digress. Getting back to my point . . . it’s okay to use that button. I encourage it when the scenario calls for it. Please just use it sparingly with peace, love, and understanding. Bloggers across the globe will love you for it. Thanks, and bye for now, Felicia.