Saveur magazine hosts Blog Awards in Memphis
Photos of soul food and barbecue dishes, as well as iconic venues from across Memphis, were flooding Instagram and other social media sites last week as what could be deemed “the Oscars” of the food and travel blog world occurred in Memphis.
Forty of the world’s best food and travel bloggers descended on Memphis on Nov. 7 for the ninth annual Saveur Blog Awards the next day.
Saveur described the two-day event as “a celebration of outstanding food and travel content from around the world across the web and on social media.” Since its first issue in 1994, the magazine has been a go-to guide for passionate cooks and travelers who want to know the stories of and to be inspired by foods and destinations from across the globe.
“It’s awe-inspiring to see the level of dedication, talent and creativity displayed by our blog award finalists and winners, and we are thrilled to be a part of their journey and foster a spirit of community,” said Stacy Adimando, executive editor of Saveur. “Memphis was the perfect destination to host this year’s awards, from its support for entrepreneurship and diversity to the deliciousness of the food scene.”
Adimando explained that the choice to host this year’s awards in Memphis was an easy one after their first scouting visit.
“At Saveur, we tell stories of food through travel. We have been to a lot of food cities, and we instantly knew this place was special,” she explained. “I have never seen a food community so close-knit. It blew me away. The chefs and restaurateurs are mentoring each other, not just competing.”
The Saveur Blog Awards features 11 categories, ranging from Best Food Instagram to Best Culture Blog. Six finalists were named for each category, and each were invited to Memphis. Of the 66 influencers, bloggers, videographers and photographers invited, 40 attended. With attendees coming from across the United States and as far away as Switzerland and South Africa, this was one of the largest turnouts Saveur has had for this awards event.
These awards are a big deal in the blogger and social media world. For the Editors’ Choice awards, a panel of Saveur editors selected their top choices from more than 23,000 nominations across 11 categories. Saveur readers also voted on their favorites for the Readers’ Choice awards, which received 125,000plus votes.
“We wanted our programming to celebrate and represent all that Memphis has to offer,” Adimando said as she acknowledged that Memphis is more than just blues and barbecue.
To achieve that goal, Saveur partnered with Memphis Brand Initiative.
“After traditionally being held in New York and Los Angeles, we are thrilled to announce this is the largest turnout Saveur has ever had for this event!” said David French, Memphis Brand Initiative’s president and chief marketing officer. “Having these 40 global influencers descend on Memphis is a testament to the powerful interest, enthusiasm and curiosity people have for our great city and the compelling things that are happening here today. From our food and culture to our innovators and entrepreneurs, not only does it bring national attention to Memphis, but is also driving valuable economic impact as people explore and spend money across our community.”
The two-day event included activities and panel discussions at the Old Dominick Distillery, The Peabody Hotel and at restaurants such as The Four Way and the Arcade. The awards ceremony took place at the Clayborn Temple , a historic icon of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Local chefs and restaurateurs, such as Kat Gordon from Muddy’s Bake Shop and Old Dominick head distiller Alex Castle, participated as panelists and speakers.
Cynthia Daniels, founder of Memphis Black Restaurant Week, spoke to the group during their luncheon at The Four Way. As the attendees enjoyed this iconic restaurant’s soul food offerings, she spoke about diversity in the food industry and how to support it in the community.
“Memphis is a cultural hub of creativity — from arts and music to food and beverage,” Daniels said. “The Saveur Blog Awards have been truly inspiring. And Memphis, a place where you can bring your passion and ideas to life, has left each participant a little more soulful and a little more inspired.”
Local blogger and public relations manager Cara Greenstein was brought on by Memphis Brand Initiative as a local ambassador to support Saveur’s event and editorial team’s planning of the event this year in Memphis. She suggested venues, storytellers and restaurants that could contribute to a remarkable Memphis experience. As the three-time winner of Memphis’ best blog for Caramelizedblog.com, she also was invited to present some of the winning categories at the award show.
“Meeting these award-winning food bloggers and storytellers from all corners of the world and sharing a taste of our city with them was incredibly rewarding,” Greenstein said. “Every person I met was beyond impressed with the quality and depth of food and creativity, people and passion here in Memphis. And I’m beyond grateful to Saveur for selecting Memphis as the host city. It’s a clear testament to our collective work.”
The hope for the Memphis-based organizers and participants was that these bloggers share the word of what a special place their hometown is, and, after talking to several attendees, it sounds like they may have achieved their goal.
“Memphis has heart and makes you feel it with your own. Walking in Memphis, as the song goes, is walking through the country’s history, community, music, culture and most influential crossroads of human struggle and freedom. That walk turns into a run towards you of welcoming Southern hospitality, filling your stomach and feeding your soul — the ultimate truth of Memphis,” said Soleil Roth of Somewhere Soleil, the winner of the Readers’ Choice Award for Best Travel Blog. “Bring your soul to Memphis like they tell you to, and I promise you’ll leave with an even bigger soul than before . ... I know I have.”
For a list of all the finalists and winners of the ninth annual Saveur Blog Awards, visit saveur.com/blogawards.