
I first discovered Tastespotting last summer, right around the time I started writing for Slashfood. I immediately fell in love with the site and it became a regular stop for me as I wandered around the interwebs, looking for inspiration.
Sadly, according to a handwritten notice (seen above), because of some legal complications Tastespotting is no more. Twitter is full of speculation as to what the legal issues are that shut them down, but assumption is that it was some sort of copyright infringement. Regardless of the reason, it's a sad day for the online food community.
We will miss you, Tastespotting!










Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-13-2008 @ 2:42PM
Kitt said...
I've seen complaints elsewhere about Tastespotting users posting bloggers' photos there without credit, with links to somewhere other than the bloggers' posts. It wouldn't surprise me if that resulted in legal action.
Kitt
http://www.kittalog.com
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6-13-2008 @ 2:51PM
Numb said...
Awww.... I absolutely ADORE Tastespotting... This is a horrible thing indeed.
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6-13-2008 @ 2:52PM
Jill said...
I love Tastespotting. Great recipes, beautiful photos,the best way to find new bloggers and updated several times a day. I hope they find some way to bring it back....soon :o)
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6-13-2008 @ 2:56PM
Cevon said...
Nooo!!
What a sad sad day.
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6-13-2008 @ 2:58PM
wynk said...
Man, I am so bitter. I just discovered Tastespotting a week or so ago and it immediately became my favorite food site. ;_; I sent them an email--I don't expect to hear back but I wanted them to know how sad I was!! :(
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6-13-2008 @ 3:55PM
kaszeta said...
I'd guess along with Kitt that it's some related legal issues.
Myself, I remember not too long ago logging into tastespotting, and seeing that someone else had uploaded one of my photos, without crediting me or linking to one of my sites (it was the infamous bacon duet, http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaszeta/2485249502/). It was indeed mildly annoying, but not really tastespotting's fault.
Similarly, I can see a corporation getting a little upset with trademarks.
But we probably won't learn.
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6-13-2008 @ 6:02PM
Silver_Potato said...
Wasn't Sarah Gim part of tastespotting?
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6-13-2008 @ 6:40PM
KF said...
Talk about a major disappointment. Tastespotting was a joy. I would scan it sometimes twice a day and see what all my fellow bloggers were up to. It was the best way to stroll through a "Farmer's Market of Food Blogs" and see what was fresh! No lengthy posts -- just quick photos to draw you in and say "This looks good."
Myself, I submitted dozens of pics over the 18 months it was in existence, from both of my food blogs, and from dozens of others -- always, always crediting the cook and linking to THEIR blog.
I'm saddened others may have not been as diligent about proper credit, or, that someone didn't want the traffic (and indeed, traffic from Tastepotting was really great for me) it created even if proper credit WAS given.
Sad. Sad. Sad.
I guess I actually have to WORK on company time, now.
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6-13-2008 @ 7:53PM
sad panda said...
No!!! i just found it a few days ago. I guess friday the 13 is really a bad day and this proves it. =(
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6-13-2008 @ 8:42PM
kaszeta said...
Since I've now gotten a few emails on the topic, I should clarify my above statement: I saw one of my photos uploaded without credit on tastespotting (and it did annoy me...give credit where credit is due), but I'm not the one that caused the site to shut down. I didn't even complain to tastespotting, I just wrote it off as one bad-mannered contributor.
(And, for what it's worth, I like the traffic that places like Tastespotting, photoeats, here, and other blogs and meta-blogs give my photos... as long as it's clear they are my photos...)
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6-13-2008 @ 10:11PM
Melissa said...
I am also very sad about this, I would visit tastespotting daily, and have found many recipes to try that were delicious. I hope another website like this one comes up again soon...if anyone knows of any, let me know:)
SweetMelissa0420@hotmail.com
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6-14-2008 @ 5:07AM
KF said...
In several posts on other blogs, "Jean" of Tastespotting indicates it wasn't a copyright or crediting issue. The details will come out eventually, I hope. ::deep troubled sigh::
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6-14-2008 @ 3:03PM
yah said...
I discovered how to make paneer, pandan muffins, tofu crisps, and a whole bunch of other stuff thanks to this website. God-dang-it!
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6-14-2008 @ 3:37PM
Stephanie said...
Okay, apparently my comment didn't get posted.
But I'll make it short: I used tastespotting for EVERYTHING. I started to enjoy cooking because of this website. I used this website ONLY for recipes and now I am kinda freaking out that I have no where to go, now.
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6-14-2008 @ 3:38PM
Stephanie said...
I went to the website today and saw the note. I let out an emphatic "WHAT!" What a sad day. I loved Tastespotting.com I used to hate cooking and I started using that website for recipes in my home and actually started to enjoy it. I would go on my phone while at the store to remember a recipe.
I am not being overly dramatic when I say that I have no idea what I am going to do anymore. I seriously used that website for everything I cooked. Crap.
I hope somehow someway they can bring it back.
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6-14-2008 @ 8:07PM
Deirdre said...
I can't believe it!! That was my favorite site. I have been a fan way back since Stumble Upon brought me there last year.The site only had about 40 or 50 posts. I checked in a few times each day. I am truly depressed and lost now of where to find great blog sites with recipes. I can't stand Food Network anymore. All of the chefs (few exceptions) on there have grown over-inflated egos.
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6-15-2008 @ 5:39PM
kellypea said...
I am more than annoyed with this. As much as I enjoy checking out other's food blogs, Tastespotting was so much more efficient. My favorite way to use it was to do a single ingredient search. So many droolicious dishes come right up! And what a great way to find new food bloggers. *sigh*
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6-16-2008 @ 3:48PM
Michelle said...
I actually whimpered when I read the note on the site. It was my favorite site. I found so many wonderful sites by visiting there. I miss it so much.
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6-16-2008 @ 7:23PM
kim said...
There's a new site that took over for Tastespotting, it's Food Gawker. Check it out.
Kim
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6-17-2008 @ 5:15PM
Cath said...
I still can't believe it's over =/ I keep going there with hope..It was like one of my favourite sites, something I can't pass without *-* It was so easy to track new posts on blogs this way!
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