Top 10 Austin Food Blogs

Hilah Cooking (Photo by John Anderson)

It may just be a logical outcome of the "Nothing succeeds like success" maxim: Perhaps certain food blogs get noticed, which in turn spurs the creators to greater and greater effort, which makes for increased posting, more beautiful design, pithier writing, and greater scope. In any case, though I evaluated more than a hundred active Austin food blogs, there are many repeats from last year and only a few newcomers to the list.

1) Hilah Cooking (www.hilahcooking.com) This Internet cooking show produced by Hilah Johnson and Christopher Sharpe has only become more professional, more comprehensive, and easier to enjoy over the past year. Hilah is now posting two cooking videos every day, along with enjoyable blog posts, downloadable cookbooks, and easy-to-print recipe cards.

2) Love and Lemons (www.loveandlemons.com) Last year's first-place winner has continued to excel throughout the year, helped no doubt by Jeanine Donofrio's career change to "nearly full-time blogger and food stylist." The scope of the blog continues to be expansive (recipes, books, gadgets), and the site is easy to navigate, beautiful, and well-written.

3) What Are You Drinking? (www.whatareyoudrinking.net) This fascinating and cogent blog takes on the alcoholic beverage in all its many wonderful forms. Packed with history, hard facts, enlightening opinions, and erudition, it is a great resource for anyone wanting to get the lowdown on spirits and wine.

4) Local Savour (www.localsavour.com) This blog has gotten so slick, it doesn't look local anymore (does it have a national readership now?). In any case, it is still one of the finest Austin food blogs, showcasing Central Texas at its locavore best. The site now also boasts a downloadable cookbook and step-by-step cooking videos, and the sheer volume of information it contains is astounding.

5) Caramelized (www.caramelizedtouch.blogspot.com) This young blog is truly noteworthy, showcasing timely, compelling recipes and restaurant reviews, augmented by excellent photography. Readable and engaging.

6) Gourmet Veggie Mama (www.gourmetveggiemama.com) It is amazing that a lady with one 2-year-old and another baby on the way is able to write such detailed, helpful posts about her personal foodways. There are recipes for baby food, recipes for grownup dinners, recipes for treats, and posts on everything from organizing your freezer to making cocktails. All gourmet and all vegetarian.

7) South Austin Foodie (www.southaustinfoodie.com) This blog has done a heroic job of keeping current and never fails to interest. In addition to documenting meals both at restaurants and at home, the South Austin Foodie rounds up news and previews events and openings, all accompanied by stellar photography and bold opinions.

8) No Satiation (www.nosatiation.com) This blog is the portal for Will Burdette's Austin food podcasts, which feature fascinating interviews with chefs, writers, and other culinary cognoscenti, as well as reporting on macro issues like food policy and cultural trends.

9) Ginny's Austin (www.ginnysaustin.com) Ginny is still burning up the pavement, dashing around Austin and getting the scoop on restaurants, trailers, festivals, events, and music. Her comprehensive take on Austin's culinary and social whirl is energetic and contagious.

10) Sterling and Oats (www.sterlingandoats.blogspot.com) This new-to-me blog stands out from the pack of other worthies by virtue of its clean design and impressive photography. Focusing mainly on home baking and cooking, Sterling and Oats has attracted acclaim for its accessibility and joie de vivre.