Hey!

We are six (6) years old today (wow) – Sometimes I am still in awe because I am not sure how we are still here. This year I am trying to be more intentional and vocal and communicate more with my audience as I realise I don’t do this so often (forgive me). At this point, I feel like it is time to open up more and share how Foodie in Lagos got started and pretty much share the journey as concise as possible. I initially was going to vlog about this but I did not prepare well so here it goes.

WHY DID I START THE BLOG? I used to eat out alot and a number of my friends and family always wanted recommendations and at the time, there were not any major review sites specifically for food but alot of food bloggers creating recipes and cook-along videos and that is why I started. I also wanted a platform that was transparent enough and as a way for restaurant owners and food businesses to sit up if they saw that they were being reviewed and offer better customer service experience. The name ‘Foodie in Lagos’  came pretty easily and I had run this across my friend Yewande who was like ‘Foodie must sha be in whatever name you are thinking about’ – Lol. I don’t think this name has limited the brand in anyway because it is relatable and easy to understand and besides I am a Foodie and I am in Lagos – right

HOW DID I START?

So I started out at wordpress which is still there by the way – www.foodieinlagos.wordpress.com as it was free and I did not know anything about domain names and I just wanted an outlet to share my experience with food.

I made some blog friends too and it was cute and all. In terms of gadgets, I had a DSLR camera which I did not know how to use properly and took pictures mostly with my phone. If you go back, you will see that I pretty much upped my photography game.

Then I used to harass Lumi and then my other friend Bayo was always happy to eat with me and take pictures but now, we good we good

THE JOURNEY SO FAR: So I was blogging and all when I can especially I had quite a busy schedule which now in hindsight when I compare how my life was then and now, I actually have more responsibilities so infact… It does not get easier (lol)

I remember when Instagram became a thing and I remember by first post and then hit my first 100 followers and then 1,000 and how happy I used to be and celebrate the wins no matter how small they are. Now I’m at 7k plus and 2k plus on Twitter and 57k plus monthly views on Pinterest

COMING UP WITH AN IDENTITY: So on the 24th of November, 2015, officially launched and put out the identity of the Blog with the logo and moved to our own domain as opposed to what we had before. I had created a makeshift logo to watermark pictures then and now after a few years on that DIY logo moved to this

HOW DID WE ARRIVE AT THIS LOGO? See below the concept. I know a lot of you did not know what the map-view of Lagos looks like so here you go

RATING PROCESS: Before I started, I had done a survey asking people what they really wanted to see when they dined out and most of it centred around 5 pain points, Ambience, Price, Food Quality, Service Delivery and Location. This is why most of the posts centre around these and then other jara that may be necessary to share

WHAT ELSE? So with any free time, I tried to blog as frequently as I could and I think I am much better but not where I want to be yet and that’s still ok as I will go at my pace (lol). I created some new columns such as Foodie in Lagos tales where people pretty much bi**h about services they got and this was anonymous, had a Chef focused thing, had our own Food Fair and then baby came and I went on maternity leave (hehe), started a Restaurant Hop movement with Ministry of Enjoyment (see pictures here) and its been great so far (sign up here to be notified and subscribe here to the blog) also started a menu bank for menu’s of restaurants and you can see here. All in all, thankful for growth.

WHAT HAVE I LEARNT? For anyone interested in blogging, what I have learnt over the few years are as follows:

• Don’t compare yourself to someone else or others
• It is possible for you to have an idea but the difference is in how fast you execute the idea
• It does not have to be perfect. Do not pay too much attention to aesthetics etc as content is really key
• Go at your pace as you are in no competition with people
• Be consistent
• Be open to collaborations
• Grow and have an email list
• Have fun and know your WHY (for me, it was never about money but its ok to make some money from your passion)

FUTURE PLANS: Watch and see, we are not going anywhere 🙂

BLOGVERSARY GIVEAWAY

Now on to the Giveaway as that is why most of you may be here. Giving away some of my faves… Read carefully.

Broad Rules: The most important rule is you must be subscribed to this blog. If you aren’t, subscribe here and The winners will have to share a post on Instagram thanking the brand, showing what they received.

From the Main Foodie, Foodie in Lagos

• DSLR Camera from Canon: Now I know how expensive gadgets may be and I will like to gift out this camera to an upcoming blogger or creative etc (with lenses as well). All you have to do is subscribe to our Youtube Channel and comment on the latest post there with why you want the camera and best one wins.  You must also be subscribed to the blog here and comment with your email address so winner can be contacted.

SO YUMMY NG

• ₦25,000 Cash: This voucher is for you to go to any restaurant of your choice and is courtesy of So Yummy NG – To enter for this, comment on our Instagram page under our giveaway post answering these questions ‘What year did So Yummy NG start & How Many Flavours of So Yummy Popcorn exist’
• Go to So Yummy’s Instagram page and comment ‘Done‘ under the repost of our IG post on SoYummy’s page
• You must be following the So Yummy NG page on Instagram and be following FoodieinLagos on Instagram as well. You also will get free samples.

WOKS & KOI Chinese Restaurant

• Woks and Koi Chinese Restaurant– Win three (3) combo packs from Woks & Koi – to enter for this, please note that you must be able to pick up from Woks & Koi. Instructions: Answer this question in the comments section here of this blog post answering ‘What year did Woks & Koi start’.
• You must be following Woks & Koi and FoodieinLagos on Instagram to qualify.
• Answer this here in the comment section of this blog post and specify what giveaway you are entering for. Eg for this, start your comment with ‘WOKS & KOI then start your answer and ensure you also comment with your Instagram handle and use your correct email address
• When you comment here, make sure you use a valid email address or else you won’t be contacted.
• This is open to those in Lagos only*

CHOW NOODLE BAR

• Chow Noodle Bar: Win Lunch for Two (2) – One winner + a friend from Chow Noodle Bar. Just answer ‘What are the four (4) main offerings on the Chow Noodle Bar menu’ –
• You must be following the page on Instagram
• Answer this here in the comment section of this blog post and specify what giveaway you are entering for. Eg for this, start your comment with ‘CHOW NOODLE BAR – your answer and ensure you also comment with your Instagram handle and use your correct email address‘
• *Please note that Delivery is restricted to Lekki 1 – Ikate, Victoria Island, Marina and Ikoyi*

Winners will be contacted by Saturday the 23rd  of March & winner of the Canon DSLR Camera will be announced on the same day.

 May the best Man/Woman Win 🙂