Suggestions for Royal Foodie Joust!!

[Queen]

I would like some honest feedback as to why people haven't participated as much this Joust (or the last). We want people to continue to participate and enjoy this event, and if you aren't getting out of it what you need, I would love some suggestions as to how we can make it better!!!

Please don't be shy and feel free to email me: queen@leftoverqueen.com with suggestions of how to make the Royal Foodie Joust better!

This is an event for the whole community, I am just the facilitator and would love nothing more than to make it an event that everyone can enjoy!

[gfron1]

I'm a huge fan of the jousts, and a good intentioned participant who just never seems to get around to it.  My only suggestion is to open up the ingredients even more...for example, just one.  If the joust is salmon...then we just run with it.  Chocolate...piece of cake.  I do many other multi-ingredient challenges, and they all wear me out, and require me to carve time out of my busy schedule.  If it were opened up some I would have more ability to participate.  Just my opinion, and certainly not necessary for future events.

Also, the Daring Bakers concept, which many of us participate in, allows people to not have to make decisions.  This month's event was a very simple flourless cake.  How you interpreted it, was the fun part.  But, it didn't require planning and forethought.  So that's another model to consider.

[Queen]

Thanks for those suggestions. I appreciate the feedback. Thankfully it seems like things have picked back up for this month. I know how it can be hard getting in a bunch of challenges. So I appreciate your participation in this one! Thanks!

[bakingbarb]

I haven't participated because I always thought things like this (that) were exclusive as in one had to be invited. 

[croquecamille]

There are a few reasons I haven't been participating in the Foodie Joust recently.  First and foremost, I don't feel that the feedback is very useful or helpful.  I love the challenges - trying to come up with something delicious and unique given a specific set of ingredients is a really great way to stretch the imagination and branch out of my usual cooking repertoire.  Part of that, though, is getting feedback, both positive AND negative.  Of course it feels good to get compliments, but I think constructive criticism has its place, too.  If my photo is too dull or my recipe too complicated, I want to know that so I can improve for next time!

I'm not saying we should use the Joust as a forum to rag on each other's cooking, but right now the mood is so overwhelmingly positive that even the compliments I receive don't seem to mean much.  Even questions would be welcome.  i.e. "Wow, I never would have thought to use lavender like that!  I find it sometimes has a soapy flavor - how do you get around that?"

Also, I've simply been short on time lately.  December and January are two of the busiest months in the pastry shop in France, and February feels like it's over before it even starts!

[Kimi]

I was thinking that maybe we could handle our posting differently, ala the Daring Bakers. We would have the month to post our entries here, on the forum, but we would all post to our blogs on a set day. This seems to help the DB's get their photos posted to Foodgawker and Tastespotting, which I think we all agree, helps with site traffic. Those sites anticipate the posts from that group now. Just my 2 cents!

[Queen]

Well bakingbarb! I have officially invited you to participate!

croquecamille, thanks for your honesty. I guess when I first started the joust it was for people to just play in their kitchen, have fun being creative and get over the fear of "doing it wrong". Therefore lots of criticism, even constructive, might have gotten in the way of people feeling comfortable to branch out and do something different. That isn't to say that I made a point of saying not to criticize, I just think the whole compliments thing really came organically to the group. I think the reason why is because people are just having fun with the ingredients, and going out on a limb, and maybe it didn't taste that good - we have had some of those...but at least people tried something new and unique and weren't afraid of "messing it up"....and people react to that - are genuinely impressed with some of the ideas that the joust beings forth. I don't know if this makes sense. But I certainly would love to hear if other people are feeling this way too and other opinions on this topic. Should this be more judging as opposed to more of a challenge yourself? We don't want to be so positive that we are deterring many from joining us each month. very curious...

Kimi, I think that would be a good idea if others didn't mind posting. I never made it a requirement to post on the same date, because I know people have their own schedules and whatnot, but you make a good point about tastespotting and food gawker, so this might be a better way to do it! Other thoughts???

[toontz]

I like the fact that isn’t as restrictive as the Daring Bakers. I do have time constraints, and love the fact that this is just for FUN! I like to see what cooks and bakers do with the three ingredients, and end up bookmarking a lot of great recipes. And (no offense to croquecamille), the fact that we have a poll is enough critique for me.

[galadr13l]

Hi, All--

   I'm with Toontz!  I love that it's for fun, and the deadline gives me a whole month to get something worked out.  I have a lot of time constraints on my end, and appreciate the flexibility.

Cheers!
Karen, the DomesticMuse
http://domestickmuse.blogspot.com

[betherann]

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!

[Queen]

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!

[elle]

I love the Joust!  If I don't participate, it's because I just can't figure out what to do w/ the ingredients.  And sometimes, time isn't on my side, either.

I also love that there are separate polls now, for the different categories.  That makes it even easier. 

Maybe it would generate more interest if non-members were allowed access to participate in the contest with their own entries and vote, too--but just in Joust forum.  Maybe they'd get excited about the whole thing and decide to join the Foodie Blogroll, as well. 

[Queen]

I would LOVE to open up the forum the way we used to have it. But I just can't risk it after we got hacked by those horrible people last year. I need to make sure that the community is kept as safe as possible from that kind of stuff.  :-(

I love the Joust!  If I don't participate, it's because I just can't figure out what to do w/ the ingredients.  And sometimes, time isn't on my side, either.

I also love that there are separate polls now, for the different categories.  That makes it even easier. 

Maybe it would generate more interest if non-members were allowed access to participate in the contest with their own entries and vote, too--but just in Joust forum.  Maybe they'd get excited about the whole thing and decide to join the Foodie Blogroll, as well. 

[Kat]

I personally enjoy the way the Joust is run right now. I like the flexibility to make whatever I want instead of a pretty strict set of rules like DB. I also like the flexible posting date so I can work it in my blog when its right. Now that one thing I'd change...I'd like to win once

[elle]

I remember that!  It was right after I joined.  I definitely see your point.

I would LOVE to open up the forum the way we used to have it. But I just can't risk it after we got hacked by those horrible people last year. I need to make sure that the community is kept as safe as possible from that kind of stuff.  :-(

I love the Joust!  If I don't participate, it's because I just can't figure out what to do w/ the ingredients.  And sometimes, time isn't on my side, either.

I also love that there are separate polls now, for the different categories.  That makes it even easier. 

Maybe it would generate more interest if non-members were allowed access to participate in the contest with their own entries and vote, too--but just in Joust forum.  Maybe they'd get excited about the whole thing and decide to join the Foodie Blogroll, as well.