Pay it forward - Excellence Awards

If you look closely at the photo above, you will see that it features a gorgeous baby koala (just like Blinky Bill) doing what we food bloggers love to do - eat! This cute little guy was obliging enough to be awake and put on a show for the hordes of tourists (including me!) who visited his home at a koala park in Victoria in January.

This reference to food and eating leads me on to food bloggers. One of the best things about the food blogosphere is what a fantastic, friendly, supportive community it is in general. I was a "lurker" for almost two years before I summoned the courage to create my own food blog. However, one of the things that constantly impressed me was the way in which food bloggers assisted and befriended each other, by encouraging fellow bloggers to keep going and try new things, by introducing each other through blogging events and cross-posts, and by sharing tips and tricks both in their posts and in their comments. Food bloggers are also there for each other in times of sickness and health, in celebration and tragedy, offering get well wishes, best wishes, congratulations and condolences.

Ivy from the wonderful Kopiaste is a terrific example of what food bloggers are all about. Not only does she post scrumptious Greek recipes and share wonderful stories about her experiences, but she has recently become my blogging friend, visiting my blog and leaving kind and encouraging comments. Now, Ivy has paid me a very high honour by nominating me for an Excellent Award, as given to her by her friend, Val. Thanks so much Ivy! I understand that you cannot give blogging awards back to those who gave them to you, but Ivy, if I could, you would have an "excellent" award from me.

It is now my privilege to honour five other food bloggers who inspire me, and are in a word "excellent". With pleasure, I give an "Excellent" award to the following food bloggers:

1. Rosie of Rosie Bakes a Peace of Cake, who creates some of the most beautiful cakes I have ever seen on a regular basis. Rosie's cakes are true works of art.

2. Jenn of The Leftover Queen, who not only constantly surprises me with the delicious dishes that she creates from leftovers, but who inspires me with her fantastic work on The Foodie Blogroll, which has allowed me to "meet" so many other fabulous bloggers, and her creation of The Royal Foodie Joust, a monthly blogging event where participants get creative with 3 nominated ingredients for a chance to win the joust.

3. Laurie of Mediterranean Cooking in Alaska, whose blog features the most beautiful, evocative writing that transports you to far-flung places, stunning photographs and wonderful Mediterranean recipes incorporating really interesting ingredients.

4. Susan of Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy, who combines terrific recipes with fun, relaxed posts that are a joy to read.

5. Peter of Kalofagas - Pursuit of Delicious Foods, who combines inspirational and aspirational Greek dishes with information on Greek culture and language, spiced occasionally by wicked humour.

Thanks so much to all of you! You can post your award on your blog if you wish by copying the following award logo:

I wish to acknowledge all the other wonderful food bloggers whose blogs I regularly visit. Special thanks goes to the food bloggers on my blogroll. Each of them is on my blogroll for a reason - some inspired me during my "lurker" days and still do, others post about fantastic, mouth-watering food, while still others simply make me laugh - or a combination of these.

While I am a newbie to the food blogging community, I am very proud to be a part of this fantastic group of people.