A Cheesemonger with a Popular Blog
..search for the top-rated blog – The Grub Report – and that is what will be displayed on Google. Who would not want to explore this blog further with such enticing images?
Take a look at the blog titled ‘The Grub Report’ and you will smile, laugh, and learn. This culinary-oriented blog is a pure delight. That says a lot for the author, Stephanie Vander Weide. This blog will have us learning about food and the happenings of a culinary arts trained person. The content is very appealing and addicting. It obviously is written by a well-educated person with a passion for their crafts. It just so happens that Stephanie’s craft is both writing and food.
When asked, “Why did you decide on ‘The Grub Report’ for a title?” Stephanie replied, “Well, honestly? This is one of those things that “just came to me.” I had thoughts of only one other title but it was also the title of a children’s book, so I knew I couldn’t use it. Obviously, it’s a riff on Matt Drudge’s “The Drudge Report” and the site was a going to be about food and reporting on that food so, “Grub” – which had a nice internal rhyme with “Drudge” – just exploded in my mind.”
The first thing that stands out about The Grub Report is the design format. The design itself is very unique and eye appealing. Upon first clicking on the site, the visitor is greeted with a bright red checkered tablecloth. On the tablecloth background is a menu. Simply picture a menu and imagine it used for other purposes.
* There are menu/section headings such as ‘Soup Du Jour’ and ‘Blue Plate Special’. ‘Kiss The Cook’ contains cooking tips and recipes. The blog postings are formatted to appear as menu items.
* Menu items are listed under section/menu headings. The posting dates are written as menu prices.
How did she come up with this appealing concept? “It took awhile. I knew I wanted a fairly basic blog, but not too plain. I wanted it to have the feel of a diner. I wanted something different.” Stephanie explained. She has accomplished her mission.
Writing a blog about the culinary arts comes easy for Stephanie. “I have a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of Michigan. I enjoy writing and it comes easy to me. I worked in the publishing field for six years. Then, when I was laid off, I started going to culinary school. So, in addition to my writing background, I have graduated from culinary school. My blog gives me a chance to combine the two,” Stephanie wanted us to know. “I also freelance for a living,”she stated.
Started in 2002, The Grub Report gives readers a chance to experience both catastrophes and delights in the kitchen. “I like to think of my blog as pretty honest and down to earth. My catastrophes seem to go over very well with my readers! Everyone has some kitchen catastrophe to talk about. It’s fun to share that,” says Stephanie.
“I started the blog as a way to keep a record of what was happening at school,” Stephanie says. “I wanted a way to keep track of what I was learning. After I finished with school, I just wanted to keep going with it. It is fun. Plus, my readers enjoy it,” Stephanie explained.
In addition to the culinary/food aspect of The Grub Report, readers can relish in Stephanie’s personal journeys. “I was brought up in Minnesota, went to college in Michigan, lived in England a year, then lived in Boston for a bit. My husband and I now live in California. I am a cheesemonger, tv critic, (amongst other things) and just love to share information with others,” Stephanie regales. This extensive background leads to many real-life experiences that are perfect for a blog. They are included in the ‘A la Carte’ section.
NOTE: For an example of a nonculinary posting, check out ‘CrApple’. It is a hilarious account of Stephanie’s mishaps with Apple Computers. The wording is poignant and irresistible.
Overall, Stephanie’s Grub Report has been described by others as ‘food porn’. “Pictures grab attention and people love them. Food porn has big, beautiful pictures. The pictures make you desire the food. I want to keep getting more and more pictures for my blog. I am planning on taking some photography classes to improve my digital pictures,” Stephanie said.
What does the future hold for The Grub Report? “There is a redesign planned for the site,” Stephanie responds. Also, perhaps she will write a memoir about being a picky eater as a child. “Now I eat anything!” Stephanie exclaims.
“I just love receiving mail from my readers telling me how they are eating better because of my blog. For instance, I will never buy another store bought vinaigrette again. They are so easy to make and my blog has a simple recipe for one. My readers love it!” says Stephanie.
“I do my own writing and editing on my blog. I don’t make any money off of it, and I don’t particularly want to,” states Stephanie. How’s that for passion?
A must mention: Check out the ‘Nutritional Information’ section. There is a ‘Sausage Links’ section where ‘Food Network’ is listed as a link. Here, Stephanie is quoted as saying, “We pretty much have this on 24/7 at our house. Except when Bobby Flay shows up.” Hilarious!
Upon reading The Grub Report, there is a definite sense of someone both in love with words and food. Stephanie combines the two together to make for a very wonderfully entertaining and informative site.
Check out Stephanie’s great blog at www.grubreport.com.
