ONE year ago, Caroline Hennessy and Kristin Jensen launched the Irish Food Bloggers Association at the Savour Kilkenny Foodcamp. They set up the IFBA so that Irish food bloggers would have a place to get to know each other a little better, see what other bloggers are out there and get involved in food events and meet-ups. And that’s exactly what’s happened! 12 months on, “and we have over 200 food blogs listed on our blogroll, 450+ members on the site, almost 3,000 Twitter followers and 1,250 Facebook fans. We and other IFBA members have organised food photography workshops, dinners out, trips to food festivals, food producers and farmers’ markets, a cooking demo and were even (inadvertently!) behind the runaway success that became Inishfood,” Kristin wrote in a recent post online.
“We’ve also become a hub for competitions and give-aways, most notably our Plate to Page and Salon du Blog competitions with Bord Bia, but also give-aways for things ranging from food hampers to festival tickets to cookbooks.”
Bloggers have had a good rapport in the press too as the community as a whole is well represented and featured in the pages of print media. Kristin adds that the success of blogging has rung true for some as food bloggers are going from strength to strength.
“Donal [Skehan}, Lilly {Higgins} and Niamh {eatlikeagirl} have all published cookbooks this year and Shelia {gimmetherecipe} has one due out in the spring, several other bloggers are currently writing book proposals and many more write for magazines and newspapers.
“In addition, many bloggers are raising the profile of Irish food and Irish food blogs by getting their photos accepted to the Foodgawker and Tastespotting sites, which is one of the best ways to increase traffic to your blog.
She is keen to point out that the community is set up as a whole for all of its parts and the social community and network that it absorbs is very much part of its background thinking.
“Don’t forget that the IFBA is all about YOU, the bloggers and members. Anyone is free to organise an event or meet-up, no matter where you’re based around the country. Just let us know and we’ll help to spread the word – that’s what we’re here for! If you’re running a give-away on your own blog, send us the link and we’ll share it. Or if you come across something you think would be of interest to other members, share it on the IFBA Facebook page or send us a tweet so we can broadcast it that way too.
“When we launched the IFBA last year we had no idea what to expect. It’s been a rollercoaster of a first year, with lots of laughs and new friends along the way. Here’s to whatever the second year might bring.”
See www.irishfoodbloggers.com for more.
