Our featured blogger this week, Tracey’s Culinary Adventures,  not only has an impressive collection of delicious recipes on her site, but she adds to them so frequently that her lucky followers know there will be something new around the corner just waiting to inspire them.  Tracey’s photography makes you feel as though you could dish right in!  Pay her fun blog a visit and you’ll see just what we mean!

How long have you had a food blog (or other foodie type site)?

I started blogging in December of 2007, so just over two years!

How would you describe your site to new readers?

Tracey’s Culinary Adventures is the place where I chronicle my experiences in the kitchen – good and bad.  A lot of the content on my blog focuses on sweet treats but I do occasionally share savory recipes too.  I try to keep things upbeat and fun and hope to inspire my readers to try new things in their homes.

What made you decide to start your site?

I started the site for a few reasons.  I had been watching cooking shows and reading cooking blogs for a few months and was inspired to get in my kitchen and start cooking and baking myself.  I figured a blog would be a great way to document the recipes I tried as well as chronicle my progress.  At the time I was completely inexperienced in the kitchen and I think I was hopeful that someday I’d be able to look book on those early days and see how far I’d come.

Is there any personal meaning behind the name?

At the time I started my site, I don’t think I had any idea how long I would continue blogging so, to be honest, I just kind of went with the first thing that came to mind.  I knew I had a lot to learn in the kitchen so I figured there would be a lot of adventures ahead.  Looking back now, over 2 years later, I wish I’d given more consideration to choosing a name but I’ve grown to love this one so I don’t have too many regrets.

What advice do you have for new bloggers?

I think you really need to be passionate about what you’re doing.  Blogging can be a lot of work and unless you’re part of a very select group of bloggers, you’re not going to make a lot of money doing it.  Don’t be afraid to try new recipes or techniques!  We’ve all had failures but you’ll learn from those experiences.  Also, get involved in the food blogging community – you’ll be amazed at all of the people who share your passion!

What’s the best thing about being a food blogger?

There are so many great things!  It inspires me to keep trying new recipes and developing my skills.  I’ve also “met” so many wonderful people who share my passion for food through my site.  Because I bake so much for the blog and it’s just me and my husband at home, I give away a majority of the treats I make and I love sharing them with others!  Finally, it’s helped me become a better photographer and I’m fairly confident that’s something that wouldn’t have happened otherwise because I wouldn’t have put the time into it.

What the worst?

I feel like I’m constantly doing dishes!   Also, I put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself to post a certain number of times per week and always take great photos and sometimes it can feel overwhelming.

What food blog inspires you the most?

Just one?  That’s a tough task as I have hundreds of blogs in my Google Reader.  Right now the blog that inspires me most is The Kitchen Sink Recipes.  While Kristin’s recipes and photos are always wonderful, it’s her writing style that I love most.

What camera do you use?

Through the end of 2009, I took all of the photos on my site with a Canon PowerShot S3 point and shoot.  I received a Canon Rebel XS for Christmas so I’ve been shooting with that for the past two months.  I’m not 100% confident with it yet, but I it’s made me love photography in a way I never imagined I would.

Do you have any formal training in the field of cooking?

No, none at all.  Just a lot of trial and error in my kitchen with help along the way from cooking shows, cookbooks and magazines and inspirational bloggers.

Do you watch a lot of cooking on TV?

Well, I record a lot of cooking shows on my DVR….  To say that my DVR is constantly full with a variety of cooking shows would be an understatement.  There just never seems to be enough time to get through all of them!  Some of my favorites are Barefoot Contessa, Everyday Food, and Top Chef.

Do you have a favorite chef, celebrity or otherwise?

I love Ina Garten!   She just seems like such a sweet, kind woman and all of her recipes are both delicious and accessible.

How challenging has it been to find a loyal reader base?

I think it’s an ongoing process.  I certainly have more readers now than I had 6 months ago, but it’s something I’m constantly working on.  I think being active in the online community helps a lot, whether it’s by visiting and commenting on others’ blogs, chatting via Twitter, participating in cooking/baking groups, etc.  I love when I hear from readers, either to say they’ve tried something they saw on my site and loved it or to ask a question about something I’ve posted.  It’s nice to connect with people on that level.  There are so many wonderful food blogs out there and there really is something for everyone.

What types of food do you enjoy preparing most?

Well, I do a lot of baking and I definitely enjoy that.  Cupcakes are probably my favorite treat to make.  You’d never guess from looking at my site, but I cook fairly often too and I love finding new meals that can be prepared quickly with just a few ingredients!

Do you have a signature dish or two?

I didn’t create the recipe, but I found one for General Tso’s Chicken last summer that’s been a repeat in our house time and time again.  I think it’s better than anything similar we’ve ever had from a restaurant!

Favorite kitchen gadget?

Tough to pick just one but given how much I bake, I’d probably have to say my Kitchenaid mixer.  Close competitors would be my Microplane or my santoku knife.

If you could choose to be any food, what would it be?

Pizza – not only is it one of my favorites, but I feel like it’s pretty universally loved!

If you could banish just one food from the earth, what would it be?

Without a doubt it would be licorice.  Its flavor and texture really turn me off.

What’s the one super power you wish you had?

I wish I could function without sleep.  I could get so much more accomplished in my day!

What’s your favorite thing about “Refrigerator Soup”?

I really like how Refrigerator Soup tries to connect with its readers and make the site feel like a community.  It’s very accessible and it’s introduced me to a number of new blogs I probably wouldn’t have found otherwise.

To see more of Tracey’s fabulous food photography, delicious recipes and to subscribe to her blog, please visit her at Tracey’s Culinary Adventures.

To learn about how you can get Featured, please email us at twentyquestions [at] refrigeratorsoup [dot] com.   Note:  Priority is given to those bloggers who consistently submit photographs, so please keep that in mind before inquiring.

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