There are a couple of things about that. When I first started up on a blog, one of the promotional things you read about is to go to forums and participate. Now, I did that, and I also put my signature as a link to my site. Well, I was reprimanded about that, and that is where I learned about NOT doing that.
Thing is, I actually want to help people, and I want to teach. If someone chooses to go to my site, they can find the link from my profile, and there it will be, so I do not need it in my signature.
The secret chef sig leads to one of those old-school internet marketing sites that we all love to hate. You know the ones that look like a bad informercial! Secrets of restaurants? Please... give me a break!
I don't have to do that for my site, content speaks for itself.
The only thing I would point out is the irony of you complaining about sig spam when your signature leads to your site. I am not sure if that is allowed here at ChefTalk, as I was asked to take mine off. Just something to think about.