Culture

SAVEUR Best Food Blog Awards: Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions about the SAVEUR Best Food Blog Awards? Here are some answers to the most frequently asked. If the information you’re looking for isn’t covered here, leave a question in the comments (below) or tweet us at @SaveurMag. We’ll check both spaces regularly and update the FAQ accordingly.

What sites are eligible for the Saveur Best Food Blog Awards?

Any website that's a chronological collection of stories, images, videos, or recipes can qualify for this award. For general categories (Best Baking Blog, Best Dining/Restaurant Coverage, etc.), the site must have produced new content between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011. For specific categories (Best Savory Recipe, Best Single Piece of Culinary Writing, Best Photo, etc.), the piece nominated must have been published between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2011. Both professional and amateur sites are eligible for all categories.

What does each category mean?

You can see an explanation of each category here »

What's the difference between nominating a site and voting for a site?

The BFBAs are constructed in two parts: a nomination phase that runs from March 6 through March 28, and a voting round that begins April 4 and ends April 26. During the nomination phase, we're just looking for websites that you think are great. When voting opens, anyone may vote for their favorite from the finalists in each category; the site with the most votes in each category will be the winner.

Does it make a difference if my site has lots of nominations?

No, it does not. The nomination phase of the awards is simply to introduce to editors blogs and sites with which they might not already be familiar. We'll look closely at each blog nominated, whether it's mentioned once or a hundred times.

Can I nominate myself?

Absolutely! Go for it!

Can a blog be nominated in more than one category?

Yes! In fact, we encourage it — especially if you think the site has is a contender in both a general category (Best Baking Blog, Best Cocktail Blog, etc.) and a specific category (Best Dessert Recipe, Best Photo, Best Piece of Culinary Writing, etc.).

Can a blog only become a finalist for a category in which it was nominated?

Nope — SAVEUR editors will be looking through every blog that's submitted, and if, for example, we find an outstanding photograph or a terrific video piece on a blog that was nominated in, say, the Best Cocktail Blog category, we'll recategorize it for the final round.

What if my site doesn't fit in any category?

We designed these categories to be inclusive of a variety of formats, styles, and approaches to food and dining. If your site as a whole isn't specifically about cooking, baking, dining, or drinking, see if one of the categories highlighting individual posts, photos, or videos is right for you. Since these awards are designed to honor blogs in the traditional sense, we don't accept for nominations Twitter accounts, Facebook pages, or static websites that don't update content regularly.

How are the finalists selected?

After the nomination period closes on March 28, SAVEUR editors will go through all the nominated sites and select their favorites in each category. Up to six blogs can be finalists in each category. We'll announce the finalists on April 4, at which point voting will open.

When can I vote for the finalists?

Voting will be open from April 4 through April 26. We'll reveal the winners on May 3. Note: To prevent duplicate votes in the finals, we require that all voters be registered users of Saveur.com. Registration is free and open to readers worldwide.

Can finalists and winners from previous years become finalists and winners again?

Yes they can. We're hoping to uncover new talent through the nomination process so there can be fresh faces among the finalists, but ultimately our goal is to recognize the best that's out there, whoever that may be. But our input ends at the nomination stage: Once we reach the finalist round, the BFBA winners are up to you and your votes.

My site is a finalist. Does it make a difference if I get lots of votes?

Yes! The site with the most votes in each category will be that category's winner. This is where it's time to rally the troops: get your friends, family, fans, and readers to come vote for you!

**If your question isn't answered here, leave it in the comments (below) or tweet it to @SaveurMag. We'll check both spaces regularly and update the FAQ accordingly. **

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