7 Years of Blogging

Today, this little blog turns 7. 7 years of poking around the Cleveland restaurant scene, sharing my thoughts and experiences, building friendships, attending some amazing events, taking the annual To Dine Challenge, sampling tasty products, and hosting some fabulous giveaways. The time has flown by, and I'm happy to say that I'm still enjoying blogging, and sharing my dining excursions with all of you.

With the date glaring at me, I took pause to think back on how and why I started this blog.

I was working at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, planning their fundraising events and working with area chefs and restaurant owners. I considered it "part of my job" to know what restaurants were opening, what chef was moving where, who was "hot" and who was "not" in the culinary world. I found myself starting to "talk" Cleveland food with everyone around me.

I had only been living in Ohio for about a year at that point, but friends and co-workers that had lived here their whole lives were suddenly turning to me for restaurant tips.

"Where should we go for our anniversary?"
"Who has the best steak in town?"
"What's your favorite restaurant in Tremont?"
"Who serves Saturday brunch?"

I am also terrible in the kitchen, and relied on my then-boyfriend ("R" and now "Mr. H") to cook dinner for us. If he came home and didn't feel like cooking, then we ate out. And found ourselves quite enjoying exploring the rising Cleveland restaurant scene.

As a writer for most of my life, I was missing that piece once I started working in non-profit special events. One day, it became clear. I should take these frequent conversations, my knowledge of openings and moves, and our interest for trying new-to-us dining destinations, and turn that into a blog. As a fan of alliteration, Bite Buff was born.

I blogged anonymously for almost two years, and then slowly started attending blogger events and went public with my identity. I had been fearful of what it could do to my work relationships. After all, non-profits rely heavily on the participation of area chefs. But, I've actually found that this little old blog has enhanced many of those relationships, and I'm grateful for that.

Ok, blah, blah, blah...that's basically how this all got started. I'm feeling sentimental, and wanted to share that with you.

I credit my role at the Food Bank with my passion for the Cleveland restaurant scene. It has given me so much since I moved here 8 years ago. I've stayed involved with the Food Bank, and it will always be close to my heart.

In celebration of this blog turning 7, I ask you to consider joining me in participating in Brown Bag Day this Wednesday to benefit the Harvest for Hunger Campaign of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.

Please pack your lunch on the 15th, and donate the $$$ that you would have spent dining out that day to the Campaign. For every $1 donated, the Food Bank can provide 4 meals in a local hunger center.

Thank you for following, whether that has been for years, months, days, or this is the first post you're reading. It's been a wild ride, and I'm not done sharing with you. Cheers to many more years of dining adventures around Northeast Ohio!