Take a walk down memory lane as we recap the past decade on Just a Taste, including how many people have visited the site and the #1 most popular recipe!
It was 2 a.m. on a Thursday in October of 2008. I was up at 2 a.m. writing my journalism graduate school thesis in my New York City apartment, when on a whim, I indulged my procrastination efforts by typing up my mom Noni’s famous baby back ribs recipe.
Rather than email the recipe to my family, I decided to register a domain and post the recipe (along with several other Noni classics) online. But first, I needed a blog name. I scribbled down a dozen or so ideas, from “Always Eat Dessert” and “Room for Dessert” to “A Taste with Kelly Ann.” I grabbed a red pen and circled the name at the bottom of the list. “Just a Taste by Kelly Ann.”
If you’d told me that I’d be writing about this very moment in a decade, I never would have believed you. But here we are. Ten years later!
Many life-changing moments have taken place since I first hit “publish” on Just a Taste. The site has grown from a weekend hobby to a full-time business. In the past 10 years, more than 60 million people have visited Just a Taste from six continents across the globe. And I am thankful for each and every one of you!
Here’s a look at a decade of Just a Taste, by the numbers:
- 60 million visitors
- 30,000 comments
- 870 recipes
- 3,000 photographs
- 1.6 million Facebook followers
- 216,000 Pinterest followers
- 146,000 Instagram followers
Add one husband, one dog and two babies to the list, and it’s been quite the eventful decade!
While it’d be impossible to name my all-time favorite recipes, I can share what your top five favorites have been. Drumroll, please!
5. Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas: I transformed a savory entrée into a sweet treat by stuffing tortillas with tangy cheesecake filling and fresh strawberries. A quick fry and then they’re rolled in cinnamon-sugar for a 5-star favorite.
4. Homemade Samoas Cookies: My all-time favorite Girl Scout cookie got a DIY makeover. This recipe stars a buttery shortbread cookie topped with caramel-coated toasted coconut and a dip-and-drizzle of semisweet chocolate.
3. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken: This fan favorite from 2013 continues to receive 5-star ratings. What’s not to love about tender shredded chicken doused in a sweet, tangy garlicky soy sauce?
2. Homemade Glazed Doughnut Holes: More than 450 comments and a 5-star rating make this DIY recipe for my all-time favorite carb a guaranteed breakfast winner.
And the #1 most popular recipe of the past 10 years is…
5-Ingredient Zucchini Fritters (a Just a Taste classic I cooked on The TODAY Show)! It’s easy, but impressive, which is what we’re all about around here.
I feel so blessed and thankful for the journey Just a Taste has taken me on and the people who have supported me on this adventure since day 1, especially my parents, my siblings and my husband.
Over the past 10 years, I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside some of the best people in the business, and I am ever-so-grateful to my social media guru and all-around marketing master, Libby Becker, my tech manager, Charles Smith of WPopt, as well as Eric Hochberger and the entire Mediavine team.
Cheers to the next 10 years and beyond!
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Congratulations!!
Thank you so much, Kerri!
Happy blogiversary, Kelly!!! Woohoo!!
Thanks so much, Julie! Sending you hugs!
Happy Anniversary, Kelly! It’s such a pleasure to receive your emails, try your delicious recipes and look forward to what’s coming next! One of my personal favorites is the French Toast Sticks…the cream makes all the difference and they always receive rave reviews!!! Here’s to many more years of deliciousness!
Thank you, Betty! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the French Toast Sticks recipe :)
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing so many delights with us. Continue with your wonderful energy !!!
Thank you so much, Marcia!
Congratulations, Kelly! I’m so glad to be a part of this team. Cheers to all of your accomplishments and all of those yet to come!
You are the best, Libby! Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication! Here’s to 10 more years!!!
Happy blogging birthday, Kelly! We are so happy for you and so very glad to play a part in your success. Cheers to you!
— Susannah at Mediavine
Thank YOU so much, Susannah! Love the Mediavine team!
This is a phenomenal accomplishment. Good for you kelly, and I hope the next decade is just as rewarding if not more so.
Thank you so much, Mike!
Congratulations Kelly!!! I have enjoyed watching you flourish and grow! Best Wishes for many more years of success!!!
Thank you so much, Donna! Big hugs to you and the family!
Congratulations Kelly! I’ve been a huge fan of Just a Taste from the very beginning. It’s wonderful what you’ve accomplished here and in your life!
Thank you so much, Elise! This means the world to me coming from you, THE OG food blogger! XOXO
Love seeing your recipes on fb
I’m so glad you’re enjoying Just a Taste, Fran!
Congratulations! I’ve enjoyed your site for a few years now. Here’s to another decade!
Thanks so much, Natasha!
Happy anniversary!
Thank you, Benita!
Congratulations Kelly on a brilliant “Just a Taste” from a sunny South Africa :) Here’s to next ten years ! I love all the
posts and the ease with which I can produce your great food. Many thanks for all the hard work – long may it last!
Thank you, thank you, Jill! I appreciate your readership all the way from South Africa :)
Beautiful anniversary photo, Kelly!
Congratulations from your biggest fan on your hard work and much deserved success. Bravo!
Thank you so much, Noni! YOU ARE MY INSPIRATION FOR IT ALL. Best mom in the world!!!
what a gorgeous cake !!!love the colors,please do a tutorial on the cake.
Thank you! The cake was made by French’s Bakery in Costa Mesa, CA. I just provided artistic direction :)