3 of 30

Write now Article Tools

The internet is really a foodie's paradise. There are so many ways to indulge the passion for food, from tantalizing recipes to delicious-looking pictures. The internet is a community, sharing ideas and opinions - and that's exactly what the food world is all about.

Finding the right restaurant and sharing your opinion about the restaurant after you've dined there is one way foodies use the internet. There are forums where food lovers get together to talk and advise one another, and there's websites dedicated to reviewing and rating each establishment. One of the most well-known sites is Zagat.com which not only reviews restaurants in the major US cities, but also international destinations as well. Users are able to access recipes and menus, pictures and reviews, discussions and even virtual restaurant tours!

With an increasing number of consumers with specific allergies or who may be watching their weight, having access to menus in advance is vital. According to ASI Media's 2007 survey, around 89% of restaurants had a website and over half used the internet to attract customers. Traditional websites might include menu information and location details, but are increasingly adding more value with blogs, virtual tours, reviews and more. Frenchlaundry.com is an example of a top restaurant whose website is cutting-edge.

For those who prefer the home-cooked meal, there are several large recipe libraries which are added to daily. These include sites such as Allrecipes.com which has several different variations on popular recipes as well as large number of less-well known varieties. There are photographs so you know what it's supposed to look like, and even a "create your own cookbook" program.

Once they've decided what to make, the home cook also wants the top appliances that chefs recommend - and that's easy on the internet, where the user can compare prices and get their special knives or blenders sent directly to them, with no waiting around. Rare ingredients that your supermarket won't stock are no problem for the modern-day cook, who can order them immediately from websites such as Gourmetsleuth.com, with recommendations on how to use them.

New and second-hand cookbooks can be found at Amazon.com, including rare volumes that have been out of print for decades. Discovering how our grandmothers prepared food in a different time isn't so difficult if you can order a hundred-year old cookbook to be delivered to your door.

For the modern generation, however, there is

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about How foodies use the Internet?
We want to hear your view. Write now!