PeKu Publications
I wrote my very first Think Tasty recipe in June 2007. Since then, I have written 874 more. I also have written restaurant reviews, chef interviews, random food thoughts, and more.
Over its lifespan Think Tasty’s team has ebbed and flowed. In the beginning, the writing was done solely by me. When PeKu became a bigger company, I added other writers and different food topics. Along with my team of writers, we conducted chef interviews and product reviews; we had an Ask the Chef column; we created recipes. When I made the decision to reduce the size of PeKu, I also shrank the Think Tasty team. Think Tasty returned to the beginning, focusing on recipes, with me as the sole recipe creator and writer.
Think Tasty has been many things. It was the baby that allowed me to express my creative side, through both cooking and writing. TT gave me the confidence to build PeKu. When it was time to put PeKu on the back burner, Think Tasty gave me an outlet for my creativity, while I worked on different roles in my career. I knew that no matter what skills I was learning, what task I was completing, at some point that week I would spend time in my kitchen creating. I also would get to write and share my excitement for this newly created dish.
Over the years I have seen growth in Think Tasty. I have acquired more followers on social media, subscribers to my newsletter, and visitors on the site. However, it never really got to the point that it should. I’ve since heard about how to buy Instagram followers to grow further and if you are curious there are definitely safe options available. Sure, Think Tasty made some money and gathered some attention but not enough to consider it my main role.
For quite some time I have been debating when Think Tasty should move to the back burner. Every week I reviewed stats, hoping for a glimmer that told me to keep pushing uphill. Some weeks it would be there- an increase in visitors, an uptick in newsletter subscriptions. Other weeks the numbers would decline.
After a few months of internal debate, I have made the decision that it’s time to stop trying so hard. There are many, many excellent food blogs in the world. I knew that from almost the day I launched Think Tasty. I hoped with enough effort I could make my food blog a highly sought website.
But the reality is, I didn’t do it.
Do I regret the almost fourteen years that I put into Think Tasty? Not at all. I have learned so much from this website. I have become more precise in my recipe creation. I have improved my food photography skills. I have learned to think about all the elements of a dish. I have talked with great chefs, dined at excellent restaurants, and gotten to make and share many dishes.
While all my data tell me that this is an easy decision to make, it still is difficult, at least emotionally. So, I’m going to close this blog post with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes but also with a good amount of pride in my heart. I gave it my all. I loved almost every minute of it, and I’m going to miss it, but now is the time to move onto new projects.
As always, I wish you a delicious day.
7 Responses to “Sometimes the Easy Decision Is Difficult”
Very proud of you for ending this chapter in your life. It is a big decision that you made.. Love you bunches Honey
I am wonderfuly proud and happy for you for all of the effort in the last 15 years.
Thanks, Mom! Love you, too.
Thank you, my favorite recipe tester!
Hey Michele. It’s hard to let a baby go, isn’t it? You nurtured and developed Think Tasty, and it was not just a part of your life, but also a part of you. My wish for you is that you keep that part, but in an alternative way—that creativity may come out in new and different wine pairings, curriculum development for your classes, or making a wonderful tapas night option with figs and Parmesan and thyme and what-have-you. All the parts of you are wonderful, and this part, though changed, is still wonderful, too.
Sorry to be so late in replying.
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. I am fortunate to have a friend with a heart as loving as yours.
Michele, I am a Hippo Press fan who follows your recipes.
Is it possible to find freeze-dried strawberries anywhere in NH, or must I buy a box of Kellog’s and throw out the cereal? I have’t asked at Whole Foods, but I can. I love this this recipe, and want to try it.
You can also text me an answer at 603-321-0113. If you
have an online supplier, I could send away. Perhaps you’ll
nnever see this?