Project Food Blog #1: Ready, Set, Blog!

“For the very first Project Food Blog Challenge, we're asking you to create a blog post that defines you as a food blogger and makes it clear why you think you have what it takes to be the next food blog star. Consider what makes your blog unique and sets you apart from other food blog brands: is it your foolproof recipes, your mouthwatering photos, or your perspective on family meals? Write a post that comes from the heart and is true to you and your blog.”

The kitchen is my playground.

In many ways I am like a child still struggling to reach the counter on her tip toes or hungrily licking the beaters clean of icing. The kitchen still holds that sense of child-like wonder for me. It's a place where magic is made. Souffles rise, egg whites transform into candy and mousse sets like a cloud.

I don't consider myself the sort of person who takes chances. In fact, I'm very cautious by nature and I think things through. The kitchen is the one place where I take risks and experiment. When I step into the kitchen I become that child who still believes in faeries and lacks any reason for fear or doubt.

Without anything holding me back I can accomplish things I never would have thought possible like being able to fly with the birds or breathe underwater. Not all of my experiments are a success. Sometimes my cheesecakes crack. Sometimes my custard doesn't set. Sometimes my tarts don't turn out. I discovered long ago that I couldn't fly, but that didn't stop me from jumping down the stairs with nothing but my happy thought. I'm not going to hide that from you. I learn from my mistakes and I move forward with the knowledge that I've gained.

Ever since I was a child I've been very creative and artistic. I've always strove to create art in all that I do. What started as drawing stick figures and beaming suns in the sand as a toddler has transformed into cupcakes, cookies and brownies. Instead of a paintbrush or a putty knife I choose a whisk and a pastry bag as my preferred artistic tools. I sculpt with cake. I paint with buttercream. I print with peaches. How often do they let you touch the artwork in a gallery let alone eat it?

Hot Polka Dot is all about playing with your food. Like the recipes that I make it's sweet, cute, daring, creative and, above all, whimsical. I show people that it's alright to approach food with the same childish innocence that you'd apply to a sand castle or a snow ball fight.

Project Food Blog: The Details

In the time to come you will be reading a lot here about Project Food Blog. I just thought I'd give you a heads up and introduce you to this exciting contest.

Project Food Blog is the first ever interactive competition launched by the lovely people at Foodbuzz where over 1,800 food bloggers from around the world compete to become the next food blog star.

That's all well and good, but what does it all mean, you ask? It means that yours truly has, against her better judgement and dwindling sanity, entered in a serious competition to win $10,000 and a featured spot on Foodbuzz for a year. Over the next 12 weeks I hope to stick it out with some very talented food bloggers in 10 challenges meant to test our skills as a blogger, photographer, writer and foodie.

There will be food.

There will be stress.

There will be a winner.

I hope it's me!

I will be posting the details of my first challenge tomorrow so please check it out and let me know what you think. You can view more information about Project Food Blog on Foodbuzz as well as take a look at my contestant profile. If you'd like to support me in this endeavour you can create a Foodbuzz account, add me as a friend and vote for me when the voting opens. I will be posting a reminder for you each time this starts.

Your help means a lot to me. Wish me luck!

PS: The giveaway is closing tonight! Get your entries in quick to win a Bake It Pretty gift card and polka dot Anthropologie apron.