The Last Post
Dec 10th, 2009 by admin
I decided on my last day in Japan to retire from food blogging. I’ve been blogging intensively for over two years and have reached the point where I’m mentally very tired and would like to do something different. I have loved writing about food, sharing my eating experiences and most of all learning from readers, whether it’s a suggestion for preparing a dish or a restaurant recommendation. I’ve also immensely enjoyed meeting, both online and face to face, like-minded people who are passionate about food. If it weren’t for my fantastic readers, I would have stopped a long time ago.
Writing the final lines of the Tokyo post was difficult, and I felt a mixture of emotions – sadness that it was my last proper post and also relief that it was my last proper post. My blog has dominated my life for its entire existence and I suppose I always assumed that I would just continue with it. People have suggested writing fewer posts or only writing when I travel, but I’m an all or nothing person. I either have to blog as much as I have done or stop completely. There’s no middle road for me. However, I’ll keep World Foodie Guide live for as long as possible and try to answer as many comments as I can.
As for me, I’ll continue to learn about photography, travel (25 Food & Travel Destinations) and perhaps even write a historical novel. The husband will be able to eat food that doesn’t need to be photographed first and the cats will have more of my attention. And of course I’ll still be enjoying my food!
Thank you to each and every one of you for reading…
OHMYGOD. YOUR RETIRING. OHMYGOD.
You were the first blog that was part of my daily ritual because you posted so much and updated so often! I will really miss you because it really is this blog which made me want to start a food blog and share my experience with others (although haven;t done that for years, but still =P)
And I still can’t belivei your retiring!!!!! And i love love every post you make btw!!!
Thank you!!!!
..and thank you Helen for writing your blog. World Foodie Guide was one of the first food blogs I followed and I will miss it, but the very best of luck with new projects.
I know what you mean about the photography, it would be nice to just eat sometimes!
Helen, I am so so sad that you are retiring. I know that it was a difficult decision to make because your blog is clearly an extension of you. When I read your posts, I get to know you a little better. I feel the passion that food inspires within you and how you learn about places because of the food that you eat.
I wish you the very best in everything you do, whether in food, travel, or just life. I am going to use every single one of your posts on Japan when we go there in May and hope that you will still be on Twitter so that I can tell you how much I loved all your suggestions. Please keep in touch if you can because I know that I am not your only online friend who will miss you and your wonderful blog.
Best wishes, Akila
It is now time to shut the curtains and let the spectators leave but the show will go on …in our hearts. Hats off my dear Helen.
Helen, what a shockingly sad news for me!! I’ll be missing you much! But if you have found a comfy way to continue to enjoy life, then I’m happy for you. All the best my dear friend.
Oh no! Say it isn’t so.
Who cares about Oprah quitting her show? I am far sadder about Helen quitting her blog.
You are one of my favourite bloggers. If you ever want to do a guest post for Roaming Tales, just say the word.
Best of luck in whatever you do from now! Enjoy ur food too!!
Helen – you obviously put such effort into your posts, so thank you for that – I have enjoyed them very much! I hope that the pages will remain online so that I can still refer to them. Best wishes
Jonny
Sad to hear you no longer will be blogging. I’ve loved reading your blog.
Inspirational, Informed, intelligent,irreplaceable. Only discovered the blog recently and I have followed and digested the great impartial reviews and it has led me to new places, 3 days in bologna Dinings in london, spurred again to visit Boca di Lupo and big portions of dim sum at Min Jiang and just back from Paris.
Now i guess the pressure is off and no more searching in your handbag for the camera. Taking two shots of each dish before diving in just to be sure all is in focus.
perhaps at last a meal without the thoughts of what you will write filling your head.
enjoy your retirement!
A sad day for the blogosphere, Helen.
Very best of luck for the future and thank you for writing a fantastic blog over the past two years. Hopefully we’ll still see you at the odd food event, though?
It is definitely a sad day in blogosphere Helen but I am happy that we grew a little friendship out of our mutual obsession with food. Your blog has always been one of my favourites, but all good things must come to an end. Well, the blog has lived its life but a love for food lives forever!! See you next week xxx
Good luck in the future Helen! Your blog has been wonderful and the guest post on Istanbul a few weeks ago inspired me to take a holiday there the week after!
Helen, you must be kidding, right???
Historical novel…fascinating…tell us more!
I only recently found your blog and have been hooked. We both went to Japan at the same time so it was interesting to contrast both our trips. I was so impressed with the detail of your posts. You are a fantastic writer and I hope that you have success with all your future projects. Good luck with everything!
All the best, alice
How can you retire? I just got to know and enjoy your blogs!
I remember when I first found your blog, Helen, it was just new, and we became blogging friends. I will miss you so very much, but good luck with your next adventure.
Although compared to many, I have not been a reader of your blog for long (a bit under a year), I have developed a huge admiration for your passion and effort. Best wishes for your new endeavours and I hope that our paths cross in London some day.
In the meantime, I’ll see you on twitter
Sorry to hear your news! I’ve enjoyed reading your posts and seeing your photos.
All the best, Debs.
Sorry to hear this, Helen. Still, you’ve done so well over the past two years, it’s best to end on a high! I’ll miss WFG, but it’s been brilliant to meet you and share meals with you. Stay in touch. x
The bugles play…
I don’t understand. And I do.
I hope this blog will stay up as a resource, I’ve found it incredibly informative.
I’d like to know more about the historical novel too…
I think you will be back, in some measure…
You are welcome to help out at The Underground Restaurant anytime you feel the need to do some cooking for several..your post was one of my favourite.
Big kiss and a hug
xxx
What a sad day. Yours is definitely one of my favourite food blogs and despite my limited cooking skills always inspires me to keep trying to create something vaguely edible for my friends.
I can easily say that you’re also one of the nicest and happiest people I’ve ever met and I wish you all the best in the future. xx
I was very sad to hear that you had decided to stop blogging, after all, your posts have kept me going through many a lunch hour and lonely evening.
Blogging has opened my eyes to many things and opened my arms to many new people. I may not be able to read your musings, but am glad to have met you and look forward to seeing you in the future.
But as you said, as one door closes, another one opens. New adventures await, all the best. xxx
I can totally understand about the food photography….sometimes I purposely leave the camera in the hotel room and always manage to get over the ensuing anxiousness when food starts arriving at the table. Still, I sad to see you go. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh!
Thank you for leaving that tip about speaking or understanding japanese. Now my husband cannot refuse me in wanting to travel to Japan!
Very sad to hear this. Probably my favourite food blog on the internet, always full of informative writing about a wide range of places and fantastic pictures. Hope your next venture is as successful as this one!
Ibrahim.
Helen – it’s so very sad to see the last post. I first came across World Foodie Guide about 18 months ago – it was the first blog that I regularly read and commented on. I’ve been entertained and educated by your musings on all kinds of food – in particular Chinese food – which in turn inspired me to start ‘Eat Noodles Love Noodles’. All the very best for the future !!
Sung (aka Mr Noodles)
I’m very sorry to see you go, but congratulations on making the difficult decision to do what’s best for you personally. You’ve put so much work into the blog, it’s not surprising to hear that it had come to take over your life. You must be quite excited to have all that spare energy back to put into other projects!
I’m sad to hear it Helen, but I do understand! Blogging, especially the hugely detailed and high quality work that you do, takes a lot of time and devotion. Guess I’ll just have to look forward to reading your novel…
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
While I know that your decision is the absolute best one for you, the food blog universe will lose such a stellar talent. I haven’t been visiting as often because of classwork but I’ve got your Tokyo posts all lined up for leisurely reading in the coming weeks. They will still be read with great enjoyment but also with a flutter of sadness that more won’t be forthcoming. Your photography, recipes, reviews and travel narratives have set a sky-high standard for the rest of us!
I sincerely hope that one day, we’ll have an opportunity to meet. In the meantime, best wishes for all your future endeavors. And it’s never really ‘good-bye’ in the virtual world: I’ll Tweet ya later!
Sorry that you’ve decided this but I do remember that you’ve been under pressure by your blog for a while. Hope that this relieves that. But best of luck with your new endeavours!
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I understand what you mean. I echo what others have said in their comments: that it’s clear you poured a lot of love and time into your blog, and we readers thank you for that. Best of luck in everything you do next.
oh my goodness, what a shock!!! as many people before have already said, this has been my first (and still only) blog I have followed. I’m still a blog newbie afraid, but in fact you have inspired me to create my own (although no where near your standards!). I have always referred to you for recommendations on meals out in london and cities overseas, I have printed out your complete HK postcards (as we are visiting in Jan 2010) and have recommended countless friends to your site (recently the Japan tour as some are going soon.) It has been a truly wonderful blog to aspire to and you will indeed be sorely missed. Congratulations on delivering such a successful narrative which has engaged and resonated undeniably with a large and passionate audience globally. Wishing you all the best Helen, and enjoy those dumplings and your deserved time off to collect your own thoughts.
x
Hi Helen, I’ll really miss reading your blog. Do keep it alive as long as u possibly can so that we can come back to reminisce about it from time to time. I understand your need to move on and hope that u’ll find great inspiration elsewhere, perhaps in novel writing per your mention. If possible, do continue to tweet yeh? =p All the very best.
I hear a big sucking sound – a void that must be filled.
Helen, you are a true talent and I know that whatever you choose to focus your considerable skill on will be wildly successful – I’ve been following your blog for almost as long as you’ve been blogging.
Please let us know so that when that historical novel hits the States, and you are on your book tour, I can nudge the person next to me in line as we eagerly await your autograph and say “I knew her when…”
Best of luck in your new adventures and directions, and I wish you much happiness
Dear Helen,
Best of luck on your project that no doubt, you’ll be applying 200% of yourself to!
I echo what Vivi said up there! (Rather efficient comment I’d say!) I will sure follow your flickr page, as it seems sad that I’ll never read about your various adventures anymore! At least I’ll get to see your photos
Dana x
Woe! Say it ain’t so!
I’m going to cross my fingers and hope that perhaps after a year off spent eating and cooking for your own pleasure, you might feel like diving back into the blogging pool again, Helen. Even if it isn’t on food or travel, I’d gladly read anything you’ve got to say about the world. Please don’t leave us forever.
Above all, thank you for such wonderful, delicious work. I’ve enjoyed every single minute of it, and appreciate all the incredible effort it must have taken. What an accomplishment! Have a very merry Christmas, and be sure to drink a very large toast to a job well done, my friend!
vivi – thank you for being one of my earliest readers! Much time has passed and I really need to take a break and do some other things now. I hope you’ll continue to blog though! See you on Flickr…
The Graphic Foodie – thanks for reading me and for understanding about just wanting to eat. It will be weird though. I think I’ll just start by leaving my notebook and pen behind but still take my camera with me…see you on Twitter!
Akila – thank you, your words mean a lot to me. I hope you guys will have a wonderful time when you go to Japan and of course I’ll keep in touch! I also very much look forward to reading your food & travel posts too. See you on Twitter…
Mathilde’s Cuisine – thank you Mathilde! See you for dinner in January…
KennyT – thank you, you’ve been so kind! I’ll continue to read your blog and chat with you on Twitter. And of course visit you when I next go to HK…
Caitlin – you’re very sweet! Thank you and I’ll definitely let you know about guest blogging if I decide to go down that route…
chinesechic – thank you very much! You know I will enjoy my food as always, whether I blog about it or not…
Jonny – thank you for reading me, and yes, the blog will stay online. See you on Twitter!
Jules – thank you for reading me! It’s been great fun and I’ve met some wonderful people on and offline, but it’s time to do a few other things now…
paul – you’ve summed it up so well! The husband was saying how he didn’t much like eating out with me because it felt too much like work (and he didn’t enjoy cold food). So yes, I’ll be eating without writing a post in my head from now on! I’m glad I’ve helped out in some little way. Can’t wait to go back to Bocca di Lupo next year!
Ollie – thanks, and of course I’ll attend the odd food event!
catty – thank you, and I’m really glad to have met you! ‘A love for food lives forever’ – that’s how I feel. See you on Tuesday for lunch!
Sonia – thank you! You really went to Istanbul the week after the guest post? I’m really glad! I look forward to going next year if I can…
Krista – ah, the historical novel! You’ll have to wait until I’ve had a little break before starting on another mammoth project. I’m quite excited about it though, as I’ve never written a novel before…
alice – thank you and I hope you enjoyed Japan as much we did!
Pei – now I have more time to attend tea tastings…
ganga108 – you were one of my very first readers and I was so inspired by your photography. Now we’re both on Twitter, so will keep in touch…
aptronym – thank you for finding me! It’s bizarre how much we have in common apart from food. Please come over to London soon…
Debs – thank you so much! It was a hard decision to make but a break is desperately needed…
Lizzie – thank you! I totally agree, it’s been so much fun eating out and I’ll never forget that Hawksmoor steak tasting or the Tayyabs lambs! See you in Soho (and you have to pick up your books!)…
msMarmitelover – oh, the comment that made me cry this morning! You are sooo sweet. I’ll tell you about the historical novel soon, and I’d love to return to The Underground Restaurant soon (although my chopping skills haven’t improved much since I was last there!). Let’s catch up soon…
Sarah – aw, thank you! Thank you also for choosing me as one of the lucky few to travel to Lille. It remains one of my happiest blogging days and inspired me to do much more travelling. See you on Twitter!
tehbus – you and lonely evenings? You’re one of the most sociable people I know! I’m really glad to have met you too and look forward to seeing more of you and the other tweatup guys, now that I’ll have more free time away from the laptop…
rowena – so glad to have met you through food blogging! Your blog remains in my RSS reader and I hope to meet you one day on my travels…
ibzo – you’re very kind! Thank you for reading me…
Mr Noodles – thanks Sung! I’ve learned a lot from you about Chinese food and have really enjoyed reading your comments as well as your blog. Hope to see you at Hung’s one day!
Kake – thank you and I’m glad you understand! I’m already looking at my cookery books on my shelves with some excitement again! See you on Twitter…
alexthepink – thanks Alex! Yes, the historical novel. Give me a little time to think about it. Anyway, we’ll always know what a tabouret is, won’t we?!
Tangled Noodle – you’re right, it’s never goodbye in the virtual world (see you on Twitter as usual!). All the best with your studying (how do you manage to blog as well?!) and I hope you’ll enjoy the Japan posts…
Su-Lin – thanks, we did discuss this earlier in the year, so it won’t have come as a surprise to you. I’ll continue to enjoy reading your posts and hope to see you soon!
An American in London – thank you so much! I’ll stay in touch with London eating through your blog…
hellominiapple – how flattering! I hope the HK posts will be OK as it’s been a year since I wrote those. All the best for Minnesota by the way. That’s quite a change from London! It will provide great blogging material…
Libbyatsg – thanks Libby for understanding and for reading me! And yes, I’ll continue to tweet about food & travel…
OysterCulture – and thank YOU for writing such a wonderfully informative blog which I shall continue to read with enjoyment! See you on Twitter…
Dana – thank you! It’s been really fun, but I’ll concentrate on Flickr and Twitter now…please stay in touch!
Adriana – aw, you’re too kind! Thank you very much for reading me and I’m looking forward to a nice long break over Christmas!
Thank you everyone!
Helen Yuet Ling
Helen,
As it comes to blogging, sometimes bloggers would be easily dragged to a point that they don’t feel right in life priority or the daily life has been disturbed significantly. I’m also trying to learn how to balance my real life and blogging life online. It’s not easy though.
Upon reading your last post, it gets me to have some reflections with mixed emotions.
When I first found your blog on Twitter, I admire your writing style and skills very much. Your passions with foods and blogging flow through your posts with your character. Most of all, I can feel that you have the compassion to relating people with sincerity.
Wish you all the best.
Keep in touch on Twitter!
Helen I’ve really loved reading your blog posts, and will miss your stunning photography. I’ve really enjoyed meeting you and look forward to hearing all about your next steps over lunch! Take care RXX
no love lost…
Here’s to more balance in life, and just in time for the holidays. Best of luck and look forward to seeing your writing in other venues!
Hi Helen. I think it’s admirable to give so much of yourself to something, do it very well, and then bow out when you feel you’ve given it enough. Your output has been terrific, and you’ve a lot to be proud of. Well done!
x
Helen, I’m sorry to see you go. Please, as others have said keep the content up, keep the url etc etc. I’ve seen others go and then get lured back. You might find that a break is as good as a change and you’ll be back here at some point. I hope so anyway.
Having done something very similar (pre Gourmantic days), I understand your pain particularly how difficult the decision was to make. I also understand when something you enjoy starts to take over other aspects of your life and becomes a priority above more important things. It takes strength to make that decision to re-prioritise. Hopefully when the emotions have passed, you’ll still look back with pride and smile
Really sorry to hear about this but you can always make a come back when fully rested . You will be missed and thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights with us !
Awww- this is a little sad as I love your blog and as many others have said it was one of the first food blogs I ever stumbled across. But hope you have fun doing lots of other things now too!
i hope one day you will return.
however, i do thank you for all your sharing of ressies. and i wish you all the best for finding your new hobby etc.
do keep in touch =)
Christine – thank you! It is really hard to find that balance and I think I lost it somewhere along the way, which is why I decided to stop blogging. It’s also got to be enjoyable and not a cause of stress…all the best with your blogging and I look forward to reading your posts in the future!
gastrogeek – thanks Rejina and I look forward to catching up with you soon!
Robyn – thanks Robyn! It was rather good timing actually, so I can take a long rest over the holidays and think about my plans for next year and beyond…
Niamh – thanks Niamh! I wouldn’t have met you and many others if I hadn’t started blogging! See you tomorrow…
Anthony Silverbrow – thank you! I’m not sure if I’ll get lured back but I’ll still be out there in some form or another…
Gourmantic – thank you for understanding and for articulating my feelings for me. That’s exactly how I’ve been feeling. However, it gives me more time to read other people’s fantastic blogs! Keep up the food and travel writing…
Gastro1 – thanks Dino! It’s been fun while it lasted. Look forward to meeting up soon…
The Fastest Indian – thank you very much! It is a little sad for me too, but I think it was the right decision and I look forward to doing new things next year…Thank you for reading me…
suzie – thank you! It’s been a lot of fun and I’ve really enjoyed blogging. See you on Flickr!
Thank you everyone for reading me…
Helen Yuet Ling
oh!!!I’ve just discovered your blog and you’re not writting anymore! I just want to let you know that’s although I’ve arrived late I’ve read many older posts and I think your blog is VERY interesting and I’ll go on reading it and trying new recipies from it. Thank you very much!
Oh my goodness I am late to this party! Well, this is the end of an era! A bloomin’ brilliant blog and a fantastic resource too. I’m glad you’re leaving it up so people can still benefit from it. I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts and wish you all the success for the future. Good luck in your new adventures! Don’t be a stranger either xx
Even though I’ve been in and out of your blog-roll like a Yo-Yo, I’ve greatly enjoyed all that you’ve written and photographed. You can always return! D.x
Oh, no! Though respecting your decision, I will miss this blog a lot. And I can only regret finding it so recently. Well, I hope your eating journey will continue and I wish you all the best. May many delicious dishes come in your way.
Oh Helen. I’ve been putting off reading because I knew it was your last post. You’re amazing and the blogging world is definitely a less colourful one without you bringing us your eloquent restaurant reviews, incredibly helpful travel posts and gorgeous photography. Your blog was one of the first I ever followed and has remained my favourite throughout the short few years we’ve both been blogging. Am incredibly glad we met and have remained friends (through ups and downs!) and I just can’t wait to see what you’ll be up to next. It feels odd to be writing here, but at least I know it’s because we’ll definitely be keeping in touch and there are many more great meals to be shared and stories to tell in the future. For one, see you tomorrow! Lots of love.
I discovered your blog only yesterday, having just come back from London where I had quite a brilliant lunch at Konstam’s. My friend and I arrived early, were greeted by the friendliest and courteous of staff and were served thoughtful, wholesome and delicious food very swiftly. Looking on the net for other people’s opinions on what is bound to become a London favourite (alongside Yauatcha, incidentally) I chanced upon your blog which had me quite excited. Only to find today that you wrote your last post just a few days ago. I am just a little upset to have missed you at your most productive blogging time but wish you all the best in your new pursuits. Having a most wonderful cat myself, I am quite sure your loved ones will be glad of the additional attention!
wish you all the best in your off-food-blogging life
look forward to your future book 
uvepece – thanks for finding me! I hope there’ll be some posts for you to enjoy still…
Helen – thanks so much Helen! I’ve really enjoyed my blogging days and meeting fun people like you. We’ll catch up in the new year…
Douglas – thanks! You never know what will happen in the future…
Hälsporren – thank you for reading me and for your kind wishes!
Charmaine – thank you! Your blog was one of the first I read too. It’s been a long and fun journey and I’m really glad I met you through blogging. May we share many more meals in the future!
khmervic – hello to a fellow cat lover and foodie! Welcome to my blog, a little late but I hope there’ll be a few posts you’ll find useful. I’ll still be checking comments regularly…
adel – thank you Adel! You’re very kind…
Helen Yuet Ling
Awwwww….( really sad face )
Well, I am certainly glad I was able to catch your for a few months before you retire. Keep us posted on what you are going to be up to and I won;t delete you from my Bookmark as your blog simply have too much inportant information on food and travels.
This is not GoodBye! But Good Luck in your future endeavours!!
Hi Helen,
Its sad that I ran into your blog after you have taken a retirement! I truly appreciate all the good work you have done by writing such nice posts. I am not the activist-sorts and am rather a sincere admirer of people like you who point out moments of simple pleasure in an otherwise mundane living! I hope you keep enjoying your future career and life.
Thanks,
ankit.
I’ll miss reading, but I guess I can go through the archives and see what I’ve missed. Thanks for some great food and travel recommendations (I still can’t believe I left your Hong Kong list at home when I took my parents around).
Keep me posted on any future endeavors (especially if they involve writing).
With much travelling getting only now to see this. Your blog started more or less when I moved to London and was such a great resource for me in discovering the city’s culinary gems, and duscussing various places… I was just thinking the other day your stories are so good you can do it for a day job… Well best of luck and hope to still see you on Twitter, and thanks !!!
Dear Helen – Well done on producing such a fantastic blog and I hope you enjoy a chance for a lovely holiday and travel for your novel as well. Best of luck.
Chee – thanks! I hope you’ll find some useful stuff in the Archives. Drop me a line if you’re looking for something specific and can’t find it. The ‘Search’ function isn’t brilliant…
Ankit – thank you for your kind words! I’ve had a great time writing my blog and meeting wonderful people…
ChinaMatt – thanks Matt! Drop me a line if you’re looking for something specific. I have a few trusty cookery books on my shelf!
Aeyal Gross – how kind of you to say so! And of course see you on Twitter!
Gourmet Chick – thank you Cara! Hope you’re enjoying your break from work too and hope to see you again soon…
Helen Yuet Ling
Hi Helen,
Thank you for your amazing blogs. I’ve certainly enjoyed your recommendations even following my hunt for Lord Stowe’s custard tarts in Macau. I did meet your colleagues at BBFC when i did a tour around ages ago. I was going to ask him about you but never got round to it.
I really do hope you keep this site up it’s a great reference point and many times I come back for a visit to check out your thoughts or looking for an inspiration.
Take care of yourself, I hope you have fun in your next adventure. Hope to hear from you in the future.
Hi Helen,
Fantastic website, has been a life saver for me while in London! Such a pity you’ve chosen not to blog any more! Just subscribed to your Twitter feed, best of luck!
Sophie Wong – thanks Sophie for being one of my regular readers! See you soon in Soho…
mmm – thank you, you’re very kind!
Helen Yuet Ling
Hey Helen! I just caught up with your blog and was taken aback to see this post. I have had such an awesome time knowing you and talking to you(even if it was so brief) on Twitter. You are most definitely going to be missed by all of us. Wish you all the best for your novel. Also, wish you and your family a wonderful 2010!
Hi Helen,
The last paragraph touches me deeply. I can understand how difficult it is to balance the most important things in life…, especially family & passion. I’m glad that we have all these great posts to read. At the same time, with your decision, I’m very happy for your husband and your cat:)
Don’t forget to make time for yourself as well.
Best wishes for the new years!
Tip
Are you retiring for good? It was really tough decision! Anyway, good luck and best wishes for the 2010.
So sad to see you go, but wishing you all the best in 2010 and hoping you’ll come back at some point!
I have found so many great restaurants following your site, thank you so much for all the amazing reviews, you will sorely be missed!
The Purple Foodie – thanks Shaheen, but I will see you on Twitter still!
Thailand Breeze – thank you! I’ve really been enjoying my free time since I stopped blogging and know that my decision was the right one…
Pepy – thanks, it was a tough decision, but the right one…
foodrambler – thank you very much!
dolly888 – thank you for being a regular reader!
Helen Yuet Ling
i know we’re a bit late with this but good luck w/ everything! blogging is not a money-maker for most of us. if your heart isn’t fully into it and it really becomes a chore/time-sucker, it’s either time for recharging or retirement! you’ve got great stuff up here for the blog-o-sphere to continue reading for years to come.
the whole photographing before eating thing is almost driving me to retire!!! GOOD LUCK, HELEN!
Sad to read this – but I completely understand. I’ve really enjoyed your blog and hope you’ll at least keep us up to date with tweets about your travels and dining.
Best of luck and don’t be a stranger!
Chris
we are never full – thank you guys! It was hard to stop but now I’m really glad I made the decision. I have more time on my hands and I feel much more relaxed. The camera’s having a well-deserved rest in its case…
tikichris – thank you for understanding! I hope my tweets will be useful…See you around in London…
Helen Yuet Ling
Helen,
Thanks for doing such great work over the years and guiding us to great food on the UK! Happy Eating!
Foodnut – thank you for reading me! All the best for your blogging future…
Helen Yuet Ling
Oh no I only just found you. Great Saag Aloo recipe. I used it this evening to make it for the first time.
Missar – glad you liked the recipe! Manju will be pleased. It’s really popular and now I’m thinking of remaking it too!
Helen Yuet Ling
Hi Helen, I’m so late to the party but this is so sad to hear! Thanks for keeping us entertained and hungry
Lorraine – thank you so much for your kind words! I’ll continue to read your blog…
Helen Yuet Ling
Thank you so much for creating this marvelous blog, please promise one final post for when you’ve turned it into a (much-longed for) book.
All the best – and Gung Hei Fat Choi! x
Wing Yan – thank you for saying so, it means a lot to me. As for a book, I’m not sure it will be about food!
Gong Hei Fat Choi to you too!
Helen Yuet Ling
very understandable ~ i enjoy your blog + will always reference it for upcoming travels. i love how you wrote your final post…..very eloquent + beautiful, can tell you are intensely passionate about all that you do ~ agree am in the same boat regarding all or nothing!
see you!
ingar b. @tastememory
tastememory – thank you very much for understanding my reasons!
Helen Yuet Ling
Hi
Been going back to posts and here is a question, having re read your posts about what is dim sum and about Chinese dumplings (see here and my comments there to understand why
http://eatlikeagirl.com/2010/02/25/chinese-new-year-a-recipe-for-jiaozi-beijing-dumplings-and-a-wine-match/
So – are jiaozi a kind of dim sum? Dim sum are usually so it seems various kind of stuffed things (although not exculisvely, I recall the turnip cake and other stuff). So: why our association of dim sum with various kind of dumpling, buns and other stuffed things, and where is the line drawn, i.e. – which (and why) dumplings are not traditionally part of dim sum, and on the other hand which (and why) non”Stuffed” things make it to dim sum? Waiting to hear your insights:) Thanks… Aeyal
Hi Helen, I thought I am a perfectionist but you are even more than I am. It was nice meeting up with you again today. Glad I have got to know you before you stopped blogging. Your posts will continue to live…..I still have to try your dumpling recipe…..Whatever you decide to do, hope you will continue enjoy life and your new adventures.
Aeyal Gross – I hope my explanations on Twitter made sense to you. Jiaozi is the generic term for dumplings in Mandarin but also refers to boiled dumplings in northern China which you eat with a dipping sauce or vinegar. Dim sum can consist of all sorts of dishes, dumplings – steamed, fried/grilled – being just one type.
Gourmet Traveller 88 – thank you very much! It was great to meet up with you again too. One of the best things about blogging was meeting like-minded people like you!
Helen Yuet Ling
I was just lying in bed and for some reason was remembering a Japanese meal I cooked for friends last year, relying entirely on your blog. Then I realised I hadn’t read your blog in ages so had to check immediately and now I know why!
Hope you are enjoying whatever it is you’re up to! Yours was the blog that nearly stopped me starting my own because I knew it could never be as brilliant!
LexEat – what a compliment! Thank you very much…I’ve just started writing my historical novel, so I am really enjoying my non-blogging days!
Helen Yuet Ling
So sorry to hear you are retiring as I just stumbled upon this fabulous blog. I totally understand, about having to put up so much time into posting. At least you have readers! I, on the other hand, do it because I like to write. But sometimes, you feel so pressured to post something and you don’t feel like writing or you have no ideas what to write about. I just keep on chugging along, and do the best I can…
It’s coming up to six months since the last post. How are you feeling?
E. Thai – thanks for stopping by! I had my blog because I liked to write and share stuff, but in the end I just didn’t have any more energy…
Douglas – hi! Feeling great actually & wondering how I ever found the time to eat and photograph and write so many posts!
Helen Yuet Ling