We're Just Warming Up!

by:
June 24, 2010

Amanda & Merrill

Congratulations to all the winners whose recipes are going into the first food52 cookbook! We couldn't have pulled together such a great collection of recipes without everyone's extraordinary participation over the past year.

Food52 has been created by you, and we hope you feel the same pride that we do about the site and how it has evolved (remember when your comments would suddenly vanish, or worse, be replicated 18 times?). Lest you fear the site too will vanish, we assure you we're just getting started! We'll begin assembling Book #2 in September, but we have lots of great additions in store even before then; we've already begun our special summer contests, sponsored by Whole Foods Market (each week you have the opportunity to win a $100 gift card!).

Shop the Story

Soon enough, it won't just be about the contests, but all things food -- and we look forward to collaborating on every aspect with you.

- Amanda & Merrill

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • Allison Cay Parker
    Allison Cay Parker
  • DCfoodgrl
    DCfoodgrl
  • MissGinsu
    MissGinsu
  • CottageGourmet
    CottageGourmet
  • Food52
    Food52
Food52 (we cook 52 weeks a year, get it?) is a food and home brand, here to help you eat thoughtfully and live joyfully.

56 Comments

Allison C. June 28, 2010
THANK YOU Amanda, Merrill, everyone on the Food52 staff, and my dear companions in things culinary--for creating such a great community!! I have had a crazy spring, much too busy, which explains my vanishing act (it's been a month since I've posted on my own blog: yikes!)... but Food52 is always the highlight of my week, when I check in on what's been going on. Despite my recent wayward ways, I am still so happy to belong to this group, and can't wait to come along for the next great ride. Of course I can't wait for the first book to come out... but the experience is so much more, and I'm so glad that this is only the beginning. Blessings and good appetite to all!
 
DCfoodgrl June 28, 2010
Well done, ladies! I'm glad to be part of the site.
 
MissGinsu June 27, 2010
I am SO amped to see the book!

Congrats producing a beautiful document that represents your hard work in community-building, Food52 folks! I raise my cool beverage in your direction with great respect and admiration.
 
CottageGourmet June 27, 2010
I am utterly bereft! What will I do all those long insomnia-infused hours?!?!
What a great experience this has been, thank you so much for creating a special place for foodies and food voyeurs alike. And thanks to all the generous cooks across the globe who contributed such interesting recipes and provoked so much thought.
I look forward to our next collective adventure --
 
Food52 June 27, 2010
Thank you, everyone, for your amazing, heartfelt comments. We're so touched by your expressions of enthusiasm (we'll admit, we welled up more than once), and we hope you know that food52 wouldn't be the wonderful place it is without the talent, input and support you contribute on a daily basis. Congratulations to all of you on a great first year! - Amanda & Merrill
 
Abra B. June 27, 2010
I've belonged to several online food communities over the past 15 years or so, and really, this is turning out to be one of the most fun sites ever. I love it that we don't degenerate into the snide comments, bickering, and elitism that too often plague other sites, and look forward to many more fun kitchen sessions creating something for Food52. Thanks for all you do to make life more fun, Amanda and Merrill, and Food52 participants!
 
fiveandspice June 27, 2010
Thank you so much, Amanda and Merrill, for this stunning site and the absolutely, mind blowingly fun opportunity to learn from such an amazing group of chefs and all around wonderful people. I love food52! I'm so glad it will be continuing!
 
Sagegreen June 27, 2010
I just discovered Food 52 at the beginning of this second year and am so glad I did. This is a wonderful network. Thank you for your creative vision and all your passionate energy.
 
Dorie G. June 27, 2010
Congratulations! You and the food52ers have created a delicious year. Can't wait to see what the next year brings. And the year after ... and the year after ...
 
wanderash June 26, 2010
Congratulations Amanda and Merrill and to the whole dedicated community! An amazing thing has been built and is still building :) I am so excited to see the book! Cheers!
 
Midge June 25, 2010
I've learned more from a year of food 52-- and had way more more fun --than from perusing my stacks of cookbooks over the years. What a great group of people. Mazel Tov A&M for an amazing accomplishment and thank you! Really look forward to the next round.
 
Midge June 25, 2010
that would be just one 'more' fun
 
JanaVee June 25, 2010
I love this site! The recipes all seem so, well, intelligent. It's kinda like the anti-Sandy site. Lamb shanks with olives-ooooo! Clafouti-aah! This is my favorite place for the answer to What's for Dinner.
 
ellenl June 25, 2010
Congratulations to everyone. I spend more time on this site and try so many recipes. You have become a big part of my life. People chuckle at me because I'm often saying "I read on food52 that......" I'm learning so much and enjoying getting to "know" various chefs and personalities!
One thing--I've emailed about this--please can someone help?--I read on a site somewhere how to approximate truffle oil by infusing oil with 2 herbs and I cannot remember or find it again.
 
Oui, C. June 25, 2010
It has indeed been a lot of fun, much thanks, to Amanda, Merrill and the whole gang at HQ for making it all possible. I love the idea of a launch party, as there are so many of you I'd like to meet...fingers crossed. Bring on year two and let the fun and cooking continue.
 
melissav June 24, 2010
Thank you Amanda & Merrill for creating such an amazing online community. Who would have thought you could find such inspiration, support, camaraderie, and fun on a website? I've loved every moment of year one and can't wait to see what is in store for year 2.
 
melissav June 24, 2010
PS - Any thoughts re a big Food52 party when the book is released? I would definitely make it a priority to get to NY to celebrate and meet all my fellow Food52ers!
 
TasteFood June 24, 2010
Thank you Amanda, Merrill and the entire community of Food52. This has been so much fun, an incredible source of inspiration and, at least for me, a great kick in the pants in the creativity department!
 
mariaraynal June 24, 2010
I remember the day last summer when I discovered food52, via Serious Eats & Twitter. My heart fluttered a bit as I realized it was going to be meaningful to the food world, and maybe to me, too. Today, I too can't remember life without food52, the wonderful people I've come to know and the endless stream of inspiring, gorgeous, delicious recipes week after week. It's wonderful to among such a talented group of cooks. I love what we've accomplished, and am so excited to see what will come next! Congratulations and thank you, Amanda, Merrill and the whole food52 team. I hope you are basking in the glow of it all!
p.s. Today's home page would make a lovely poster or gatefold in the cookbook.
 
Brenna June 24, 2010
Life is fun.
 
Sonali A. June 24, 2010
I joined food52 a year ago, the same month I decided to pursue my passion for cooking and enroll in culinary school. This year has been a wonderful adventure and this site has inspired me countless times. Thank you for creating such a terrific site and bringing together a community of amazingly talented people. I can't wait to see what the new year will bring!
 
lastnightsdinner June 24, 2010
My eyes have welled up every time I've started to leave a comment here (and oh look - there they go again), but I just want to say thank you. Thank you to Amanda and Merrill and everyone who has been in the trenches with you both from the start, thank you to the incredible community of cooks here, thank you so, so much. This place is truly special, and we are all better for being part of it.
 
Rhonda35 June 24, 2010
Did you hear that?? It's the sound of a virtual champagne cork popping as we (the community of Food52) open a bottle of bubbly and raise our glasses to you! Thank you, thank you, Amanda and Merrill, for blasting wide open the culinary world and providing us with a place we all longed for, whether we knew it or not. Food52 has changed the culinary community forever, making it a much more fun, much more informative and much more giving place to be. Keep up the fantastic work and bon appetit! (p.s. I'm so proud of you lil' sis!)
 
monkeymom June 24, 2010
Thanks for making cooking so exciting and fun. What a wonderful place this is to learn and grow and play! And that montage image is Fantastic!!! It must be part of the book.
 
theicp June 24, 2010
Ditto all around! This has been such a joy!
 
Tammy June 24, 2010
Can't believe it's a year already -- congrats!
 
eatboutique June 24, 2010
Congratulations to everyone!
 
Veronica June 24, 2010
Congratulations to the lovelies, A & M! You have added joy and creativity to so many contributors, followers and fans. Hope you're as proud of your accomplishment as we are. Looking forward to what's next but also hoping you'll take a little R & R this summer! XOXOXO
 
lapadia June 24, 2010
BRAVO...to Amanda, Merrill and all the Food52ers!!
 
Savorykitchen June 24, 2010
I am newer addition to the Food52 and while I'm not as active as some, I get so much out of this community! Thank you all for sharing your love of food and friends.

Cheers!
 
thirschfeld June 24, 2010
I must say I have been adding recipes to food52 now for, I think, 17 weeks and the many things it has done is, it has caused me to push boundries with ingredients I wouldn't always choose, I have found a treasure trove of great, fantastic and amazing recipes( at least to me) that are sometimes hidden in the archives and not always noticed , and finally it gets me to thinking about food in directions I wouldn't always take it. And besides there are lots of cool people who like to hang out here and talk food.
 
MyCommunalTable June 24, 2010
Well done. It is a lot of fun.
 
MrsWheelbarrow June 24, 2010
Thank you so much Amanda & Merrill for bringing together this fantastic group of talented people, many of whom I can now call friend. (For years, it seemed I was the only one who cooked like this.) I"m so amazed by your year's work, delighted to be a part of it, and thrilled to see what's next.
 
Aliwaks June 24, 2010
Amazing! Seriously the only word I can think of is kvelling, I'm kvelling looking at that first page! My love & gratitude & kudos Amanda & Merrill!!
 
nannydeb June 24, 2010
Congratulations! I'm completely addicted to this site and I try one or two recipes a week. So much food, so little time!
Thanks!
 
Kitchen B. June 24, 2010
Congratulations to us all - and Amanda and Merrill for a unique vision. It gives me courage and hope that we, you, us can create and fashion what we want with food - for the home cook. I look forward to winning a contest come September and test recipes. Well done!
 
WinnieAb June 24, 2010
I know this is corny, but I can't remember what life was like before food52...participating has truly been one of the highlights of the past year!
 
Rhonda35 June 24, 2010
Me either - what was I addicted to before Food52??
 
dymnyno June 24, 2010
Thank you for all the fun...It,s been wonderful and inspiring to get to know and share with so many creative cooks and great hearts! When will the first book be out? (did the first book stop at week 52? And, will it include the whole food contests?)



 
mrslarkin June 24, 2010
Thank you, Amanda and Merrill, for sharing your love of food with us. It's been a fun ride. Looking forward to next year's adventures with all these fellow food lovers. P.S. That montage photo with the big 52 would make a great book cover!
 
Lizthechef June 24, 2010
Great idea re book cover!
 
Rhonda35 June 24, 2010
I agree - that WOULD be an awesome cover!
 
Jennifer A. June 24, 2010
Yay! I am so glad that the fun and creativity will continue.
 
mleconge June 24, 2010
It makes my heart happy every time I take a break from my work or home routine to stop in and see what's going on. I don't submit recipes (although I do try them out), I don't always comment or contribute in other ways (although I get a lot of good ideas from those who do), but I suspect that I am not that different from many others who gain something deeply satisfying from food52 without doing anything more. You have created something excellent - and that's not always easy to do.

Congratulations and cheers to a successful new year!
 
aargersi June 24, 2010
So exciting! Looking forward to the growth and change ... those of us Food52 addicts are happy to see this!! Amandas cupboards are extremely tidy and organized.
 
LloJo June 24, 2010
Fabulous site and so great to be able to draw inspiration from so many like minded people. Can't wait to see what's coming!
 
Sodium G. June 24, 2010
I cannot wait until this is on my kitchen counter. Congrats to all the winners and I cannot wait for the next round (year!) of contests. Maybe next time I'll be a part of the published crew. Fingers crossed, knives ready!
 
maryvelasquez June 24, 2010
I found out about food52 exactly one year ago. My, how time flies. I've had a lot of fun cooking and eating the recipes on the site and can't wait to see what's in store. Thanks!
 
mtrelaun June 24, 2010
Congratulations! I think Week 53 should be all about Champagne.
 
Rhonda35 June 24, 2010
I'm with you - great idea!
 
drbabs June 24, 2010
Dear Amanda and Merrill,
Thank you so much for creating this. I suspect we (food52 community) look a lot different than what you pictured when you first got started. This has been a fun adventure and an amazing addition to my life--I really enjoy cooking and food again, and I feel as if I have made a bunch of new friends. That you have been able to stay with us and let the site grow and evolve as the community has grown is a testimony to your creativity, commitment, and love. I'm so looking forward to the cookbook--our cookbook--which we all helped create, and can't wait to find out what's ahead. Thank you, thank you, for what you have built and continue to let grow.
With love and gratitude,
Barbara (aka drbabs)
 
Caron G. June 24, 2010
Congratulations, Amanda and Merrill! What a great resource and community you've created!
 
Lizthechef June 24, 2010
Seeing all those winning photos made me happy and proud of all the efforts from so many! Thanks for giving us the opportunity to cook and be a part of your incredible and inspired idea!
 
Lizthechef June 24, 2010
ps No one has called me "Liz" since grad school in the '70's - love it!
 
shayma June 24, 2010
i second that! well done and best wishes.
 
pierino June 24, 2010
Brava!