How do you use Food52?
I have been using Food52 for more than 7 years (?!?) and it really transformed my life in the kitchen. I feel a very special loyalty to and appreciation for this site. In the "old days" I used to check the site daily and found I was quickly amassing a collection of recipes to try. For some reason, in the last year or maybe more, I don't feel quite the same inspiration that I used to feel. I'm saving fewer recipes and cooking fewer recipes from the site. I'm wondering why this is or if others feel the same.
The way I use the site is to click on Features, then View All, then I scroll through everything that's been posted. I like to at least scan through everything. Then I read the hotline to see if there are any hidden gems that people are talking about. Although the specific steps have changed as the site has evolved, this is what I've been doing since the beginning.
What do you do? Do you go to the recipes page first? I tried that, but it's not clear to me why some are highlighted and it looks like it doesn't change that often. I don't want to search for anything in particular.. I'm just looking for inspiration.
The biggest change on the site for me has been the sheer amount of content to sift through... and most of the content is not recipes, it seems to me. (Don't get me wrong, I enjoy many of the articles!). Of course, perhaps my life has just changed and my approach to cooking is going through a lull which is why I feel a lack of inspiration. Just wondering how others approach using the site-- especially long-time members who have been with the site through many changes.
20 Comments
One suspects that the CRO's objectives discussed in the article might be driving the regrettable recent trend here on Food52 of teaser headlines akin to those seen in the cheapest and most unattractive web ads - about "tiny changes", a "funny little secret," an "odd little secret," a "little trick" and a "trick you haven't heard of yet," to cite just a few titles or subtitles that have actually been on Food52. One hesitates now more than ever to recommend Food52 to other potential users.
I understand many use this for assistance, however, I wish there were more helpful hints, tips, new products to share, ideas, recipes.
- I'm using the site mostly for my stash of Saved/Liked recipes, which I do reference and cook from.
- Also the recipe search, if I have a specific ingredient in mind and want to get recipes or just ideas on what to make with it.
- I usually check the hotline daily during the week just to see what's going on and I'll weigh in from time to time.
Voted the Best Reply!
There was a Hotline discussion about this last year, during which MrsLarkin shared this workaround - essentially a search selecting all categories and filtering to "newest". Hope this helps. ;o)
Now I look at the features or search for a particular recipe based on what I'm cooking. Don't find the Hotline as interesting and new recipes aren't easy to access.
Still love reading the features, finding and saving new recipes. Love reflective articles, like the one about re learning cooking after the author's mom died. Love being able to interact with other community members. Love the shop for pantry items I can't find easily. The individualized feed at the upper right hand corner helps me to find highlights that appeal to the people I follow. It's my new favorite feature and is a treasure trove of articles and recipes. I also love the ability to organize saved recipes and sometimes browse through saved recipes for inspiration. Changes, but still a gold mine for me!