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A Decade of Delicious: Just a Taste Celebrates 10 Years

Just a Taste: A Decade of Delicious Recipes, Culinary Adventures, and Community

Join us as we celebrate a major milestone: a decade of Just a Taste! We’re taking a walk down memory lane, reminiscing about the site’s evolution, the amazing recipes shared, and the incredible community that has grown around our shared love for food. From humble beginnings to a thriving online destination, we’re so excited to share this journey with you.

A vibrant purple and green drip cake adorned with colorful sprinkles, with a girl in the background holding it up with joy. A symbol of celebration for Just a Taste's anniversary.

The story begins at 2 a.m. on a seemingly ordinary Thursday in October 2008. Amidst the late-night hustle of writing my journalism graduate school thesis in my New York City apartment, I succumbed to the allure of procrastination. Driven by a sudden inspiration, I decided to type up my mom Noni’s legendary baby back ribs recipe.

Instead of simply emailing the recipe to my family, an idea sparked: Why not share it with a wider audience? That’s when I decided to register a domain and post the recipe (along with several other beloved Noni classics) online. But first, I needed the perfect blog name. I brainstormed a list of possibilities, from the tempting “Always Eat Dessert” and “Room for Dessert” to the personal “A Taste with Kelly Ann.” After careful consideration, I circled the name that resonated most: “Just a Taste by Kelly Ann.”

Honestly, if you had told me back then that I would be reflecting on this pivotal moment a decade later, I would have laughed in disbelief. But here we are, celebrating ten years of Just a Taste!

So much has happened since I first clicked “publish” on Just a Taste. What began as a simple weekend hobby has blossomed into a full-time business, a true labor of love. Over the past ten years, Just a Taste has welcomed more than 60 million visitors from six continents around the globe. And for each and every one of you, I am eternally grateful for your support, your comments, and your shared passion for delicious food.

Let’s take a look back at a decade of Just a Taste, by the numbers:

  • 60 million Visitors: A testament to the incredible community and the delicious recipes shared.
  • 30,000 Comments: Engaging with our readers and fostering a vibrant community has been a highlight.
  • 870 Recipes: From appetizers to desserts, we’ve covered a wide range of culinary creations.
  • 3,000 Photographs: Visual storytelling is key, and we’ve strived to capture the beauty of each dish.
  • 1.6 million Facebook Followers: Connecting with food lovers on Facebook has been an amazing experience.
  • 216,000 Pinterest Followers: Sharing recipe inspiration on Pinterest has allowed us to reach a wider audience.
  • 146,000 Instagram Followers: Showcasing the visual appeal of our recipes on Instagram is always a treat.

And if you add one amazing husband, one adorable dog, and two beautiful babies to the mix, it’s safe to say it’s been an absolutely incredible decade!

A delectable purple and green 10-year anniversary cake, complete with tempting drips and sprinkles. A delicious symbol of a decade of culinary success for Just a Taste.

While it’s nearly impossible to choose my personal all-time favorite recipes from the hundreds we’ve published, I can certainly share what your top five favorite recipes have been over the past ten years. Drumroll, please!

Two pristine white plates are set against a modern gray background, each featuring a tempting strawberry cheesecake chimichanga. A delightful fusion dessert that is a reader favorite.

5. Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas: This recipe is a sweet twist on a savory classic! I took the concept of a chimichanga and filled tortillas with a creamy, tangy cheesecake filling and juicy fresh strawberries. A quick fry gives them a delightful crispness, and a roll in cinnamon-sugar adds the perfect touch of sweetness. This innovative dessert has consistently earned a 5-star rating from our readers.

A baking sheet filled with rows of perfectly arranged homemade Samoas Girl Scout cookies, each drizzled with decadent chocolate. A delicious recreation of a beloved classic.

4. Homemade Samoas Cookies: This is my personal all-time favorite Girl Scout cookie, and I knew I had to create a DIY version! The recipe begins with a buttery shortbread cookie base, which is then generously topped with caramel-coated toasted coconut. Finally, each cookie gets a dip and a drizzle of luscious semisweet chocolate. These homemade Samoas are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

A white bowl showcases tender shredded chicken, beautifully garnished with vibrant green scallions and toasted sesame seeds. A simple yet flavorful dish that is a crowd favorite.

3. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken: This fan favorite recipe from 2013 continues to receive rave reviews and 5-star ratings. And it’s easy to see why! Tender, juicy shredded chicken is drenched in a mouthwatering sweet, tangy, garlicky soy sauce. The slow cooker does all the work, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights or effortless entertaining.

A bright blue bowl overflows with homemade glazed doughnut holes, stacked invitingly on top of each other. A simple yet irresistible treat for breakfast or any time of day.

2. Homemade Glazed Doughnut Holes: With over 450 enthusiastic comments and a consistent 5-star rating, this DIY recipe for my all-time favorite carb is a guaranteed breakfast champion! These doughnut holes are surprisingly easy to make at home and are perfectly light, fluffy, and coated in a sweet, classic glaze. They are addictive, so be warned!

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for… The #1 most popular recipe on Just a Taste over the past 10 years is…

Two white plates showcasing stacks of golden-brown zucchini fritters, each topped with a dollop of creamy sour cream. A simple and impressive dish that has become a Just a Taste classic.

5-Ingredient Zucchini Fritters (a true Just a Taste classic that I even had the opportunity to cook on The TODAY Show)! These fritters perfectly embody our culinary philosophy: they are easy to make, yet incredibly impressive, using just a handful of simple ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying dish.

I feel incredibly blessed and thankful for the incredible journey that Just a Taste has taken me on and for all the wonderful people who have supported me on this adventure since day one, especially my loving parents, my supportive siblings, and my amazing husband.

Over the past ten years, I’ve also had the pleasure of working alongside some of the most talented and dedicated people in the business, and I am eternally grateful to my brilliant social media guru and all-around marketing master, Libby Becker, my incredibly reliable tech manager, Charles Smith of WPopt, as well as Eric Hochberger and the entire team at Mediavine. Their expertise and support have been invaluable to the growth and success of Just a Taste.

Here’s to the next ten years and beyond! Thank you for being part of the Just a Taste family. We’re excited to continue sharing delicious recipes, culinary adventures, and unforgettable moments with you for many years to come. We couldn’t have done it without you!