The judges have judged (with many thanks to Anthony, Jeanne, Keiko, Reid, and Sam), the votes have been voted, and the scores have been scored tallied. There is a very clear winner, but first- a bit about the process.
Each of the five judges assigned a score of 0-10 points for each of three categories- 'eatability', aesthetics and originality. Each entry was given a score (out of a possible 50) for each category, and a total score (out of a possible 150).
I will list the overall winner, plus the 2nd and 3rd place winners. Then, the top vote holders in each category who were not in the top three places. If your entry is not listed, and you'd like to know your scores, please drop me a line and I'll send them right off to you.
1st PLACE: Lex Culinaria (124 points- E42, O40, A42)
"Stunning- and probably technically challenging! Great composition, right background, steam beautifully captured." "I wanted to eat this entry more than any other."
2nd PLACE: The Traveler's Lunchbox (119 points- E41, O36, A42)
"Drooling as I type. Carefully thought out composition, great shapes and colours, perfect light."
"Professional quality photography." "Yay for narrative!"
3rd PLACE: Spittoon Extra (111 points- E39, O31, A41)
"Beautiful shot. Great light, great composition with the sunlit leaf against a dark background.
"Effective use of light in a gentle way." "If you have to eat your greens, they may as well look this good."
TOP ENTRY - 'EATABILITY': Gluten Free Girl (38 points)
"Worth risking your teeth for." "Great use of DOF." "
TOP ENTRY - ORIGINALITY (A TIE): One Hot Stove (33 points) AND...
"If only all 'charts' could be so good looking."
TOP ENTRY FOR ORIGINALITY (A TIE): Stephen Cooks (33 points)
"Nice use of warm colour scheme and DOF." "Dangerous? Pfffft! Lovely set up, though."
TOP ENTRY - AESTHETICS (A TIE): Nosheteria (37 points) AND...yet again...
"The girliest entry; very pretty." ""Beautiful use of DOF, and great pink backdrop."
TOP ENTRY FOR AESTHETICS (A TIE): STEPHEN COOKS (37 points)
I'd like to give my thanks to everyone who participated, and my apologies for the technical difficulties early on. Congrats, of course, to all the winners! Photography in the food blogging world is improving exponentially, and your photos are fine examples of what we should all be "shooting" towards.
Lastly, but not leastly, big props go to Ronald, of IMBB?, who started this who darned thing....what a guy, what a site, what an event. I'm not sure who's hosting next, but as soon as I know I'll update this post. Cheers everyone!
I have to admit, much as I wanted my photo to win, when I saw the photos posted, the one that won first place was the one that stood out for me as well! Outstanding! Congrats and to all the other winners too!
Posted by: saltshaker | December 01, 2005 at 07:41 AM
Well done all!
Oooooh!! I WANT Lyn's mushroom stew!
It took me a while to locate it on Lex Culinaria and I was just about to triumphantly post the link here when I noticed that there is a link to it just above the photo (duhhh!)
-Elizabeth
Posted by: ejm | December 01, 2005 at 08:17 AM
third place... third place... yeeehhhha I got third place.... ta ta dee dumm...
Posted by: Andrew | December 01, 2005 at 11:25 AM
Such a bevy of beautiful entries! The judging must have been difficult, indeed.
Posted by: s'kat | December 01, 2005 at 11:54 AM
Thanks so much for awarding me the girliest/aesthetics entry. What can I say, I love pink! Thanks again!
Posted by: Adrienne | December 01, 2005 at 12:10 PM
OH MY I cannot believe it! I *totally* don't belong in this gallery of amazing photographers but I am so glad they liked my silly chart :)
Thanks so much, Moira, for doing such a brilliant job of hosting this event, and thanks to the judges for encouraging me.
Posted by: Nupur | December 01, 2005 at 01:53 PM
I am blushing. I am totally honoured. I am also speechless (which is a rare event). Looking at the quality of all the other photos, I am stunned that I got first place. There are so many top notch photos!!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! (You'll note I seem to have gotten over the speechlessness). You're all invited over for mushroom ragout on toast!
Posted by: Lyn | December 01, 2005 at 02:25 PM
I am detecting an underlying theme here. The judges noted the onset of fall and really wanted something warm, preferably involving a warm cup of something, chocolate, and steam. Given that it's supposed to snow here today, I am totally behind the thought. And I love the chart. Congratulations everyone.
Posted by: kitchenmage | December 01, 2005 at 04:00 PM
I'm so thrilled to be in the Eatability category. Thank you. (Oh, and those caramels are definitely worth your teeth.) Those other shots were gorgeous. And that shot with the steam? Simply superb.
Posted by: shauna | December 01, 2005 at 07:50 PM
Congratulations to all the winners and to Moira and the judges for all their hard work. What a beautiful bunch of photos.
Posted by: Kalyn | December 01, 2005 at 08:00 PM
Congratulations all, I would have had you all win, but the other judges you see... harsh, harsh people.
Posted by: anthony | December 01, 2005 at 11:26 PM
Congrats to all the winners. So many great photos to choose from but I loved Lyn's hot and steamy mushroom ragout on toast and Stephen's dangerous-looking souffles!
Posted by: Cin | December 02, 2005 at 03:45 AM
Major congratulations to all the winners - I stand in awe! Judging was really, really hard, but what a lot of inspiration!! The food bloggers really are turning into quite a band of artists... Well done us! And of course, thanks Moira for doing such a great job of hosting :-)
Posted by: Jeanne | December 02, 2005 at 07:45 AM
Congratulations to the winners.. Just I judged them to be stunning out of the rest! Hat's off to the judges! I believe it was tough!
Posted by: grace | December 02, 2005 at 10:01 AM
Hi Moira,
Great roundup - very tough indeed! I was really disappointed my entry didn't even get to your inbox (i was too busy, i didn't even see your post on it til just now) - but after seeing the competition, i think just as well! Hey, i'll start practicing for a great shoot. Who knows.., i might just take a great photo of my food - one day. Practice.. practice.. practice!
WELL DONE EVERYBODY...
Posted by: mae gabriel | December 02, 2005 at 02:14 PM
thanks for hosting! these pics are awesome!
Posted by: laura @ cucina testa rossa | December 02, 2005 at 09:57 PM
Hey Wahine! Where da heck have you been? I know we both are busy and I can't believe that the photos I find here are so spectacular! I want them printed and hang up on the kitchen walls! Can I have some of them as mele kalikimaka present? Just remember that you are one of my favorite food bloggers and I will try to stop by and say HEY! I need your mailing address again..it is misplaced..blame on menehunes! Hugs!
Posted by: Yvette | December 17, 2005 at 12:53 AM