Piquey Eater Turns 2! Year In Review

The photos you’re about to see were from a small backyard BBQ I had to celebrate my blog turning 2 and to thank some of the people who have helped with the blog’s growth over the years.

This was an interesting year for The Piquey Eater.

 

 

It was the first year that I spent hosting on my own domain and learning so many random things along the way. As many of you know, this is not my full-time gig. In fact, I lead a very busy life working at an ed-tech start-up which continuously proves to be a role that challenges my abilities and my limits – but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

 

Team dinner #workhardplayhard #5years

A photo posted by Katherine Chong (@kathchong) on Jul 9, 2015 at 8:58pm PDT

  I found being passionate in two different fields helps me focus better in both, giving me milestones and a constant plan of action. With this blog, I have one goal, helping as many people as possible with food choices and connecting them with the food information that they want.  

  Seemed simple enough, but it ended up being a lot more work than I originally budgeted.      

  I’ll be completely honest with you, when I first started this blog, I was just intending this to be a simple journal chronicling my adventures exploring restaurants. I didn’t expect many people to tune in, let alone use this site as a resource towards decision making. I also did not know that “food blogging” was a thing and that there is an expansive international community of food bloggers talking about all things edible pumping out entries every single hour.  

  I quickly learned that people loved hearing the opinions of others and appreciated a second opinion even on the things that they were about to eat. I also quickly learned that whilst many people appear to be happy for your successes, there is always a Captain Buzzkill and their gang who throw shade like no tomorrow. I believe Taylor Swift put it best, “The haters gon’ hate, hate, hate, hate, hate”.  

  But regardless of the minor setbacks, the joy I get from sharing something interesting and new to my friends and family about food makes all the long hours of work worth it. I couldn’t be more happy and proud to call you guys my homies and home girls for supporting me.  

  While keeping this blog I have learned a very important lesson about people and how to essentially grow any sort of business: the individuals’ growth are directly correlated with the growth of the business. I take it to heart when giving credit where credit is due and make sure that people who have ever crossed my path and helped were given the appropriate recognition. I also throw wicked tasting parties to thank people *ahem* okay I’m tooting my own horn, but good free food is always a great thank you gift.  

  I’d also like to take this time to thank those who have actually helped with the content on this website by helping with the photography, helping build this website (still a work in progress) and accompanying me on my food adventures around town. I’m not sure what I did exactly to deserve you all, but I am so happy for my crew.  

This is how you know you have made the right friends, they are just as passionate about the same things as you are. This is the crew taking a picture of a steak that just came off the grill. #squadgoalsachieved A photo posted by Katherine Chong (@kathchong) on Jul 18, 2015 at 12:24pm PDT

 

Another huge shoutout goes to the companies and brands who have backed The Piquey Eater in some way shape or form this year. The fact that you guys are spending even a dime of your budget on little ol’ me to do the things that I love is mindblowing and I am thankful for you guys every single day. I exist to please and you don’t understand how giddy I get when you send me back messages praising my work or asking for more opportunities to work together. Here are some of the companies I have worked with and like to thank with the posts.

Encore Catering – Your food and service is out of this world and even got a food snob like me impressed (Encore Catering and an Impressive Open House)

 

 

Almond Breeze – You are my go-to source for non-dairy milk and it tastes so good (Mushroom and almond sauce on Rosemary Chicken Recipe)

 

 

Zomato – My love for all things start-up and food have come together in a great company (My visit to Pai Toronto with Zomato)

 

 

Samuel Adams Beer – Not the biggest beer drinker, but I learned so much about pairing foods with beer that it now deserves a spot at my dinner table (Samuel Adams sponsors TPE at the Delicious Food Show 2014)

 

 

The Many Media Companies – the countless contacts I have at the media companies who invite me to really cool events and keep me in the loop about the food world in Toronto

 

 

Lee Kum Kee – As a proud Chinese (albeit 4th generation) I stay close to my family traditions with food and your sauces are so critical to that (Lee Kum Kee and a Chinese New Year)

 

 

Victorinox – I am so in love with my knife from Victorinox, I’m pretty sure it was in every shot in this blog with a knife. Thank you for being a part of my first #FoodTips series and sponsoring my first giveaway! (FoodTips Series – Knives 101)

 

 

I’m still floored at how well food brings together people and I was shown how big my eating “flock” can get with the dinner I had at Han Ba Tang. As I said before, I never expect much going in but I guess that also means I’m almost always surprised by the results.

 

 

I’m not sure what exactly I’m expecting for the 3rd year, but I definitely want to bring you more content about the things you want to hear about. I also hear this a lot from other bloggers and even followers, in that they wish they could learn more about my actual life that fuels my eating. Although I am much more of a private individual myself, I’ll try to be microblogging more about what I actually do on a day-to-day basis and some of the real struggles of being… well, me.

 

The not so glamorous side of getting my hair done. #keepingitreal

A photo posted by Katherine Chong (@kathchong) on Jul 2, 2015 at 8:02pm PDT

 

So as I ring in the beginning of the 3rd year, I want to make my final thank you to YOU! Yes you, the loyal readers. From either my Facebook page, Instagram or however else you found me, I would not be continuing this blog without all of you.

 

I’d love to hear if you had a favourite post and any requests for future posts.

Until we dine again,

-The Piquey Eater

P.S. Timmie the Miniature Poodle sends his kisses