All good things start small.
It began with a question: Wouldn’t it be great to connect some wonderful food bloggers through a surprise gift exchange?
Who doesn’t like surprise presents, right?
Bloggers from all over the country were paired up with each other. Each blogger had to send their partner a surprise parcel with some local food stuff, small gifts, and anything else they wanted. (It was recommended to include a handwritten note.) Then you would blog about it.
At the start we had 18 bloggers. Some couldn’t manage it, but most did.
Here are all the bloggers who signed up:
Deeps of Naughty Curry
Madhuri of Cook Curry Nook
Sarita of The Clean Toothpick
Pratiksha of Honeyed Pandemonium
Jeetendra of Moody Foodie
Siri of Cooking with Siri
Apeksha of Veggie Wiz
Poorna of Presented by P
Ameya of Kitty in the Kitchen
Sid of Chef at Large
Ruchira of The Great Cookaroo
Geetha of Fragrant Kitchen
Renuka of Pinch of Salt
Marsha of The Harried Cook
Sangeeta of Health Food Desi Videshi
Rekha of My Tasty Curry
Nikhil of Nonchalant Gourmand
Largely it’s been a success. From the feedback I’ve gotten, it seems that some packages lacked thought, while some others really went all out. That was bound to happen I guess.
All I can say for sure, is that my partner did not disappoint. Not one bit 🙂
Deeps, who blogs at Naughty Curry is one of the warmest people I know, and her blog is stunning to say the least. She has easy to follow step-by-step images with her recipes that make it a pleasure to cook, and her photographs always make me hungry.
Look at this stash of wonderful things she sent me!
My parcel included:
A lovely bottle of orange-champagne marmalade. Yum!
Some Sri-Lankan Blackcurrant tea. Very thoughtful, because she knows I’m a tea person.
Mango pulp. You can’t go wrong with this.
Lindt Intense orange dark chocolate! I’m saving this to savour it greedily, all by myself 😀
And, my favourite thing: Masala biscuits which she baked just for me. They’re delicious by the way.
I also got a beautiful handwritten note with some really encouraging, positive words. Did I mention that all the gifts were tied up with a light-blue polka dotted ribbon? Too cute!
Thank you so much Deeps. You’re wonderful! 🙂
If you’re curious to see what I sent to Deeps, go here.
If we do this again (I really want to!), and you’re interested to join, just leave me a comment below saying you are and I’ll get in touch!
It’s a wonderful feeling to spread a little joy 🙂
culinarystorm 
hon, revive this no?
I should na? 🙂
I’d love to be a part of something like this but unfortunately, I’m not really a food blogger. Well I blog about food sometime, but I am not inventive at all about coming up with my own recipes.
Charis, thats a wonderful concept and am already lamenting missing it this time. I would love to join in. please let me know if you are planning anyhting soon.
Will let you know when we organise a second round 🙂
Okay I have said this many times on Twitter but I would absolutely love to be a part of the next Foodie Exchange!! Bring on the yummies! 😀
You’re on the list of course 🙂
Wow, this is an awesome idea. I’d like to join in as well. Here is my food blog – http://swagataraha.wordpress.com/
Would love to have you 🙂 Will let you know when we start the second round 🙂
This is such a cool idea. I’d definitely be interested in joining in. I blog at http://swagataraha.wordpress.com/
Wow…as the name of your blog says…you are on a storm ride dear…..love the concept…sounds much fun…..love to be part of this…..keep rocking…
Thanks and will let you know the next time we do it 🙂
A great concept and a wonderful way to learn about each others tastes.
It is 🙂 Thanks for reading!
Brilliant concept count me in for next time.. btw i keep on reading your blog tho commenting first time…but it’s grt in fact tried that creamy egg recipe once.. turned out awfreakinsome ( I love eggs too :D) next time I’ll make n click pics wil put a blogpost linking ur site 🙂
:
So glad it turned out well. Thanks for reading and commenting 🙂
This looks absolutely delightful! Esp. the orange marmalade with champagne!
Looking forward to your package post sweetie 🙂
Lovely n yummy package! Am sure u’re enjoying it! 🙂
I really am! Loved what you sent Poorna! Also, dying to taste your preserves! 🙂
Wow! That Lindt has got me drooling already!!
I know right?! Best.Chocolate. Ever. 🙂
aw, ur just too nice charis! seriously this is nothing compared to ur lovely package but i loved being a part of such a wonderful event 🙂 waiting to read from the others who took part… and yeah im all up for the next one too! (p.s: cringed at the state of masala biscuits, i was so hoping they wud reach intact)
They tasted wonderful and that’s all that matters to me 🙂
I WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS NOW.
Start a food blog my darling and you will.
Lovely idea Charis 🙂 Forget me not next time! xx. Lovely post
Yes of course 🙂
Its truly a wonderful idea and would love to be a part of it 🙂
PS: since I sit right across you at work, I know how jealous I was when u received the parcel from Deeps 😉
Start blogging about food, and you can join the next round 🙂