[Nicko]

Well here I am asking community members to really consider starting a blog and here is why. We have a GREAT COMMUNITY of people all with such unique stories about cooking, culinary school, restaurants, etc etc.

Why should you blog well the truth is your story could really help someone facing a similar decision. For example:

• If your writing a cookbook share the process so others learn how they might do it. How to contact a publisher, how to choose a proof reader, how to work out a contract, the whole process.
• Culinary instructor - tell your story, how you deal with students, your likes, dislikes etc etc.
• Chef - Are you a new chef tell others what it is like your stuggles, your mistakes, the owners, the staff, the whole nine yards
• Culinary Student - tell your story about what culinary school is really like. We have three blogs by culinary students (one by logan worley, Stewey, and Chris) all of which have been helpful to those considering cooking for a career path.
• Opening your own buisness. Scifimom has an excellent blog on their experience with trying to open up a commercial kitchen rental space.

I have actually started a blog and I never thought I would. What I like about it is that I DON'T have to post to it everyday just when I discover something I think is interesting. Here a few things to keep in mind if you want to get started:

• You don't have to post everyday or even every week to your blog BUT you should post regularly.
• Make sure your blog is something you are passionate about. Mine is mostly about ChefTalk and I like to think I am pretty passionate about it.
• Read others blogs and get an idea on what makes for a good read and what doesn't
• Don't under estimate the importance of sharing your experience people can really benefit from it.
• Do post pictures to your blog. Post them in the ChefTalk photo gallery and then link to them. (Ask me and I will show you).
• Categorize your posts it helps people find what they are looking for.
• Start out small, tell people about your blog and generate interest.

Right now we have a couple of excellent blogs going and I recommend you stop by the blogs. The community members there are putting a lot of time into their blogs and I think you might find them interesting. Leave them a comment if you do.

Thanks for letting me rant a bit, now get blogging.