Suggestions for Royal Foodie Joust!!

[cafenilson]

I'm with Kat.  Loving the joust right now...and would love to win one day, too! 
 But...I am enjoying trying everybody else's recipes!!!

raquel

[Suzie@EHF]

I agree with many of the last comments the joust is fine as it is, especially now that there are different categories to vote for and this is only a recent change which hasn't really been given enough time to see if it is successful.  To be fair it is only the beginning of March and Jan/Feb are quite often unpredictable months - awful weather, people readjusting to their normal routines after Christmas etc.

I'm sure that more people will get involved over the next few months after all it's just a bit of fun & people obviously enjoy the creative challenge - look how this month's entries picked up at the last minute!

[Anniepooh]

Maybe we can have a "newbie" poll, and when you post your entry you say that you want to be in that particular poll??? But if only one person makes that distinction they automatically win, so that isn't too challenging....what do you think? Give me more ideas about how you would like to see something like that for less experienced cooks. I would love to do something like this if people are interested.

I, too, like the greater freedom of the RFJ vs. other recurring events like DB or TWD.  It allows me to make better choices regarding health, nutrition, and type of cuisine which the others do not. 

One thing I get frustrated, though, is that amateur cooks like me seem to never have a chance against the far more experienced chefs and culinary artists.  I LOVE seeing what these folks turn out, but my humble crock pot-ing can never really compete.  Could we sometime have an even for food blogging newbies or something like that?  I'm not sure how that would work in terms of logistics, but it's perhaps worth considering.

Love love LOVE the RFJ!

Can I just say - I don't think it's about 'newbie' cooks or even inexperienced cooks. Sometimes it's just style and nothing more. I can cook as refined as you want, but there are times when the ingredients presented inspire me to create something more 'homey' and less '5-Star'. I do understand the frustration that you have, Beth! At any rate, at the end of a joust I find myself looking less to who's won and more to what the next ingredients are!

I usually don't care if I win or not, I like to see what I can come up with!

That's not really feedback - just thought I'd get my 2 cents in

[Queen]

It is very true what you say Suzie, the Joust certainly did pick up at the end there and we have not had time really to see how successful the new changes are - which so far, people seem to be liking.

I really appreciate the feedback and 2 cents, Annie, also.

I just really feel like this is a community, and not just my own thing.  So when we have community events, I want to make sure it is working for the majority of the community. It is impossible to please everyone, and I do have to keep logistics, ease of execution and safety in mind, but I don't want people to think this is just my thing and so I will do it however I want. I love input and I am so happy that people care enough about the community and the Joust to give me feedback and discuss things! So thanks! 

[Spinach Tiger]

Here is one thing that I wish for the RFJ and is one of the reasons I don't visit the other blogs as much as I would like to.

When I see the entry and picture, I'm expecting to click on it and go to the site. It seems like too much work to try to find the person's site. It might be more attractive if there was a way to drive viewers to the sites of those that post entries where the picture and story is more compelling. It might also bring more votes if a prize was given (chosen by random) to those that vote.

I also like the idea of posting entry  on the same date or within a few days of same date.

Thanks, Angela

[melodyk99]

I agree with Spinach Tiger about the link access. I did find it a bit cumbersome and eventually gave up. Ultimately we all would like more traffic to our sites.

As far as the reason I don't participate on a regular basis is just literally, time. Yes, I have felt a bit amateurish compared to others - but hey I made 3rd place one month being an amateur so I think you can win without creating a Michelin star dish.

Sometimes the ingredients don't interest me or are not as accessible to me (being in the middle of nowhere) as they are to others - in those cases, I sit it out.

I admire the work and organization that this project requires and your faithfulness in keeping it going. Kudos!

[UncoveringFood]

I plan on participating in future jousts. The end of school (which is when I finally figured out the message board) was not the best time for this teacher/debate coach!

[Queen]

Spinach Tiger and Melody - do you mean you would like to see embedded links in the pictures on the polls? Meaning, if you click on the picture in the poll it takes you to the person's blog entry on their blog? It seems like most people post a link to their entry when they post it in the entries thread...

I will have to see if there is a way to chose a random voter - I think all we get are IP addresses through the forum databse, so it might be hard to know who voted. But maybe there is another way to do this...maybe if people leave a comment on the poll when they vote, and we pick a rondom winner from that?

[melodyk99]

I know I meant a link on or with the picture and I think that is what Spinach meant too. I realize you can go back to the original posting and usually find it. It was just all about convenience - obviously for us and not you :-))

Thanks for all the hard work.

[stylish1]

I was very much looking forward to the joust since I'm new to the forum but I just got so busy with work and school I didn't have the time. I love the way you pick 3 ingredients and it's an open setting, I look forward to next months. I wasn't sure when the jousts are started? Also the pic's look so professional I can see how they're a bit intimidating also.

[Queen]

I am so glad you will be joining us next month stylish1!

Melody, I hear what you guys are saying...and we will work on it. Currently we are working on a new version of the Foodie Blogroll Website that we are hoping to launch in the fall -so that is taking up the priority right now!

Thanks all for your suggestions!

[stylish1]

Thanks I'm really excited! When should do you expect to have the ingredients out there? Everything is due the 1st of the month right? I just want to make sure because I was going to take place in last months but didn't get around to it.

SO since it's all said and done I was thinking of a spicy rub on some shrimp with the tumeric and a honey glazed plantain chip mmm lol

[Queen]

Once we have a winner, and they give me the choice of ingredients - I will get them out to everyone - typically during the second week of the month.

[stylish1]

Wahoo I can't wait! Cooking has become a stress reliever for me. My dad passed on Sunday so I've been cooking up some stuff to pass the time and I guess to try to soothe everyone (including myself). SOooo on that note, can't wait to hear what the ingredients are!

[Queen]

Hey Stylish! I am so sorry to hear about your dad. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time. It is so nice that you are helping others cope (as well as yourself) through cooking. I recently had a loss too, and I know cooking was very therapeutic for me as well. As for this month's ingredients, they are up and posted in a thread titled September 1, 2009 in the Royal Foodie Joust section! Hope you'll join us!