How I started this Singapore Food Blog called ladyironchef

March 29, 2010 | 81 Comments

Singapore Food Blog

Photo courtesy of Mr. Gadget

This is freaking me out, I have no idea how this could be possible, but according to the date on my calendar, it says 29th March 2010 – which is exactly three years since the start of this Singapore Food Blog.

Three years!

Over the past three years, I have received so much love from every one. Many of you have graciously left me with such kind words and encouragement. Considering that there’s barely ten friends who read my blog back then, it is surreal to know that ladyironchef is getting 7,000 hits a day now. The only thing that came to my mind was, Wow! And THANK YOU!

All along, people have always asked me about how my Singapore Food Blog – ladyironchef actually came about. I’m not going to explain the part about ‘why lady’, you can read about it here. When I created ladyironchef, I had no intention to write it as a proper food blog – if you get what I mean. iI was meant to be more like a personal blog about my daily rants. Naturally, I have never expected it to be what it is today. I am very fortunate to have a bunch of folks who enjoyed reading my blog in the early stages, and it slowly evolved to what you see now.

Back when I started this food blog three years ago, there wasn’t so many food blogs in Singapore. And since then, we have seen the explosion of the local food blog scene with so many new additions each year. Looking back, it still amazes me sometimes that I actually lasted so long. Writing a blog involves much more effort and discipline than you can possibly imagine and it is sometimes a lonely process, but at the same time, I got to know so many amazing people who are passionate about what they do and it really makes everything feel worthwhile.

One of the commonly-asked question that I received: What is the secret to the success of my food blog? Frankly speaking, I have no idea at all! Personally, I felt that there’s no secret to food blogging, always stay true to yourself, take good photographs of the delicious food, and write in a descriptive manner so that others can feel the taste of the food through your words.

The best part about life is – you will always have no idea what will happen next. And one of the best thing that comes together with the blog is photography. many people seem surprised to hear that I have never attended any photography lessons. They always thought that I was firstly a food photographer before I started my food blog. I just stumbled my way around with the help of some pointers from friends, and even till today, I feel so lucky and fortunate every time I use my camera.

Anyway, I’m really grateful for all the opportunities that I have received from the blog, and all the lovely people that I got to know in the process. There are so many awesome things that it’s impossible to say everything in one post. Food-wise, life has really been good to me.

I have no idea what will happen in the future, but I know that right now, I really enjoy what I’m doing, the food blog has become a part of me, and I like it that way. My greatest satisfaction lies in getting people hungry, and I find joy in doing that.

And just in case you are still wondering, yes ladyironchef is a guy. My name is Brad.

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Comments

81 Responses to “How I started this Singapore Food Blog called ladyironchef”

  1. vanillasugar
    March 29th, 2010 @ 1:58 am

    yeah! i know i love and adore you and your fabulous photos. you have major talent my dear friend!

  2. DK
    March 29th, 2010 @ 2:11 am

    Happy Blog-birthday!

  3. hahazZ
    March 29th, 2010 @ 3:30 am

    haha, i’d be interested to know how you keep silm! heh heh!

  4. Life for Beginners
    March 29th, 2010 @ 7:08 am

    Three years, my friend — Congratulations! Here’s to many, many more blog years to come! :)

  5. jiaying
    March 29th, 2010 @ 7:09 am

    woo shen ri kuai le!

  6. The Ninja
    March 29th, 2010 @ 8:11 am

    More of us started the way you did than one might think…we’re hitting the one year soon and I already feel old. And it is lonely…but good food only gets better with good company =D

    Stay sharp and stay hungry, “Brad”.

  7. alkanphel
    March 29th, 2010 @ 8:12 am

    Can really see that you put in a lot of effort for this food blog and it shows in the quality of the photos and writing! :D

  8. Josephine
    March 29th, 2010 @ 8:32 am

    !!! Ladyironchef is a male in disguise?! *collective gasp*

    Happy birthday LIC! Thx for bringing us your readers to such a wonderful journey discovering all the good eats in SG. Here’s to more to come. :)

  9. Ju (The Little Teochew)
    March 29th, 2010 @ 8:55 am

    Congrats on this milestone, Brad! You deserve your success. Power to you, your blog and your camera. Wishing you a delicious journey ahead. And yay, you FINALLY updated your photo!

  10. sp*
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:34 am

    ~~~?(???)

  11. Camemberu
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:36 am

    Congrats on your third year anniversary! I still remember when you first started, and how getting the DSLR changed our world.

    Haha…I guess from now on, people will not ask if Ladyironchef is pretty! ;-)

  12. sp*
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:38 am

    {sigh} it’s supposed to be some smiley face but it’s not accepting jap words, lol.

    & Many more years to go! :D

  13. Mrs Ergül
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:42 am

    Good job Brad! I have to tell you there were times I went to a particular place and tried a particular dish after reading your review!

  14. harris
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:43 am

    Happy 3rd Birthday :)

  15. Reiz
    March 29th, 2010 @ 10:12 am

    It’s amazing how you stay so slim after having all of those sinful indulgences!!

    Congrats on your third year ^_^

  16. Helen (grabyourfork)
    March 29th, 2010 @ 10:29 am

    Happy 3rd blog-birthday! It’s amazing how time creeps up on you, and 7,000 hits per day? That’s incredible!

  17. Karen
    March 29th, 2010 @ 10:35 am

    Congratutions Brad! Did you know that you were the first international food blogger that I met? What a privilege for me :) Here’s to many more years!

  18. Holywing
    March 29th, 2010 @ 11:19 am

    Please keep up the good work and recommand more food to us…

  19. Min Xiu
    March 29th, 2010 @ 11:21 am

    Happy 3rd blog-anniversary!

    Continue to hunt for food and post more good pictures:)

  20. mr_gadget
    March 29th, 2010 @ 11:57 am

    Hey Brad,

    Thanks for sharing how you started this ever-growing Singapore Food Blog. I won’t apologise to the others by saying that it is my favorite :)

    Keep up the great work and look forward to many birthdays to come.

    Blessings,
    Arn

  21. Wwwism
    March 29th, 2010 @ 12:16 pm

    Congrats Brad!

  22. JT
    March 29th, 2010 @ 12:35 pm

    I have always been a silent reader but I want to say “Great job and keep up the good work! You are keeping our tummies happy!”

  23. danghl
    March 29th, 2010 @ 12:55 pm

    you’ve come a long way dude. :)
    how this blog of yours changed my (food) life haha!

  24. billy@ATFT
    March 29th, 2010 @ 1:14 pm

    congratulations! truly well deserved and all the best to a brighter future!!!

  25. J2kfm
    March 29th, 2010 @ 1:30 pm

    Congrats Brad. Ur blog has been one of the most inspiring ones. Keep it up.

  26. Anne
    March 29th, 2010 @ 1:38 pm

    happy anniversary! hah!

    yah, now before i visit any new plc, will read yr blog and see if u’ve been there :)

  27. Arissa
    March 29th, 2010 @ 1:43 pm

    i remember looking at your twitter thinking “OMG ladyironchef IS A DUDE???”

    then went on to be one of my bestest blogging friends.

    Happy blog birthday.
    Here’s to more awesomeness. :D

  28. Na
    March 29th, 2010 @ 1:59 pm

    Hi Brad,

    Happy 3 blog birthday years!
    Your blog has provided me with plenty of new food places to go to, and has made me terribly broke as well. Love it all the same! :D

    To more blog birthdays to come!

  29. ai wei
    March 29th, 2010 @ 2:08 pm

    lol, brad, congratulation!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

    next time will ask sugar together and go visit u in sg ^^

  30. FFichiban
    March 29th, 2010 @ 2:53 pm

    Good work man!! Love your work and keep on blogging ^^!

  31. hanxue
    March 29th, 2010 @ 3:32 pm

    Congratulation! Keep up the good work!
    And here’s to more anniversaries! :D

  32. chocolatesuze
    March 29th, 2010 @ 4:28 pm

    happy blogiversary brad! here’s to many more to come!

  33. Maureen
    March 29th, 2010 @ 4:46 pm

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADYIRONCHEF! U are a guy named BRAD! wahahahha!~

  34. zay
    March 29th, 2010 @ 7:19 pm

    hello! grats to ur 3rd year, ladyironchef!

  35. penny aka jeroxie
    March 29th, 2010 @ 7:29 pm

    Happy bloggy day. It is great to read your blog. I can hopefully keep up with what is happening in the food scene in SG :)

  36. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:05 pm

    dawn: my dear, you are always so nice to me! all i can say it’s a lucky day for me when you stumbled onto my blog that time : )

    DK: Thanks dude!

    hahaz: Maybe i should do a blog post on that! lol

    LFB: Thank you mate, here’s a toast back to you for all your inspirational posts

    jiaying: hehe shen ri kuai le!

    The Ninja: Oh yes i will always stay hungry!

    alkanphel: thanks dude, glad you like the pictures!

    Jo: HAHA you should go for mediacorp audition! lol

    Ju: previously i din have any nice photos ma! hehe see you soon my dear

    Camemberu: Oh yes, i will never forget that moment, time to take the plunge! haa

    SP: Thanks dear! : ))

  37. Shawn Lim
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:21 pm

    Firstly, happy 3rd anniversary!

    Secondly, FWAH! 7,000 hits per day? Congrats on making so many people hungry everyday. Hahas.

    I just started reading your blog. But I’m loving it alrdy. Keep up the good work! :)

  38. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:24 pm

    Mrs Ergul: WOW! that’s the best compliments I can get! thank you so much, next time whenever you try out a place, must come back and let me know if you like it yeah?

    harris: Thanks dude!

    Reiz: hahaha because i exercise ma :p

    Helen: I know right, all of a sudden it’s 3 years! oh boy oh boy! hee thanks helen

    Karen: now you are making me blush, all of you are awesome international bloggers to me too : )

    holywing: Definitely! thanks for dropping by

    minxiu: wow you are still reading my blog! HAHA

    Mr_Gadget: Bro, you know the best part of having a blog? it’s getting to meet awesome friends like you : )

    Wwwism: thank you!

    JT: Promise me that you are not going to be a silent reader next time yeah? drop by often and say hi!

    danghl: whoa, i’m really flattered to be able to make a difference in your food life!

    billy: Thank you billy! lets become awesome together! : )

  39. XY (rexic)
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:31 pm

    Hey Brad! Congrats! Happy 3rd Birthday to ladyironchef! Keep those reviews coming! :)

    p.s. my blog is in a year long hiatus for exams, but will be back I hope!

  40. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:47 pm

    j2kfm: thanks for your kind words dude! see you around yeah

    anne: wow you are so nice! i feel really flattered : )

    Arissa; HAHAHAHAHA Cheers my best-est blogging friend! YAY to # projectawesome

    Na: This is the first time i feel happy making someone broke. lol! do drop by and say hi often yeah

    ai wei: Yes please do, come come, then we can go and pig out

    Ffichiban: hehe thanks dude!

    hanxue: here’s to more food! : )

    Chocolatesuze: thank you suze!

    maureen: oops, you mean you din know that? HAHAH

    zay: Thanks! : )

    penny: please come over soon and try all the awesome food yeah?

    shawn: you are too kind, thanks for the encouragements!

    xy: Where have you been? so long never hear from you! come back soon yeah?

  41. A Lil Fat Monkey
    March 29th, 2010 @ 9:54 pm

    Congrats and keep giving us luscious pictures and great stories so we Malaysians can lust over them from our side of the border :)

  42. BOSS (:
    March 29th, 2010 @ 10:39 pm

    waseh so old liao ah, happy 3rd blog-birthday!

    next time alum gathering u bring us to good place ah!

    jiayous! (:

  43. Tesia
    March 29th, 2010 @ 10:40 pm

    Doesn’t this call for a 3rd yr anniversary celebration?

  44. Jessica
    March 29th, 2010 @ 11:50 pm

    I LOVE THIS BLOG!
    GO, LADYIRONCHEF!

    P.S :More on the sweet stuff, eh? superb <3

  45. Shirin
    March 30th, 2010 @ 12:56 am

    happy birthday to your blog, brad! and congrats too! i’m really happy for you! i hope your blog will keep growing and expanding in so many ways! lots of love! <3

    xx Shirin

  46. **ly*
    March 30th, 2010 @ 1:49 am

    Happy 3rd! was surprise to see your realise person.. thought it was a mid 30s lady that hosting here.. keep it up, will continue to follow the trace of your food steps..

  47. Serene Tan
    March 30th, 2010 @ 2:15 am

    OMG you’re a guy! now I know!

  48. felicia
    March 30th, 2010 @ 3:15 pm

    congrats on the 3 years brad :)
    love your photos! met up with ju the other day for lunch and she was just sharing with me how awesome your photography is. haha.
    here’s to many more years for ladyironchef!

  49. lynn
    March 30th, 2010 @ 5:39 pm

    looking good Brad! =) your blog has been a great blessing~ keep it up!

  50. foodwink
    March 30th, 2010 @ 6:31 pm

    Congrats on your 3rd anniversary! Keep up the good work, Brad :)

  51. Simon Food Favourites
    March 30th, 2010 @ 9:34 pm

    OMG HEHE I learnt something new today that you’re a guy and not a girl. it must be all the floral purple colours of the blog and the name that made be presume. great blog! love reading and seeing your amazing photos :-)

  52. incognita
    March 30th, 2010 @ 11:12 pm

    please do share how you keep slim! im sure many readers want to know too :)

  53. brenda
    March 30th, 2010 @ 11:19 pm

    this is istophere speaking. to many more foodieventures ahead :)

  54. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    March 31st, 2010 @ 12:13 am

    A lil fat monkey: don’t just lust from your side, come over and we will have a big pig-out!

    boss: thanks for dropping by! yeah lets go and have a good meal soon

    tesia: OH YES! *throw chocolate and cupcakes at you!

    Jess: hahaha thank you for the support! yeah sure thing, i have a super duper sweet tooth, will blog abt some desserts soon

    Shirin: Tee hee, i was wondering where has my biggest supporter S gone to! : )

    **ly*: I know, there are people who told me they thought it’s a mid 30s lady writing. Why 30s? haha

    Serene tan: You mean you don’t know before? Never read my “about” page, tsk tsk! haha

    felicia: that’s so nice of you! did you all have a good lunch?

    lynn: thanks dear, hope i’m keeping you hungry eh? hee

    foodwink: Thank you for your kind words, drop by often and say hi!

    Simon: haha did the purple color lead to the confusion too? i change the color every month to match the color of the photo

    incognita: okay maybe i should really write a post on that, everybody’s asking the same question! the trick is: to eat even more! HAHA

    brenda: here’s a toast to more foodieventures!

  55. misterang
    March 31st, 2010 @ 11:15 am

    happy belated birthday ladyironchef!!
    i will always be ur greatest fan.
    ????!!

  56. Happyhues
    March 31st, 2010 @ 3:43 pm

    Keep writing!

  57. B
    March 31st, 2010 @ 4:19 pm

    LadyIronChef is the name of a movie, right? I think it’s cute.

  58. Stella Thong
    March 31st, 2010 @ 5:00 pm

    i guess ur food have inspired many to start up their own food blogs.. however i felt that it is ur preservance of giving in-depth descriptions and screen-licking photos that have raised so many regular readers.. i personally have bookmarked ur webby for a year to refer to whenever i m out of places to dine.. ??s, Brad!

  59. Kara
    March 31st, 2010 @ 7:24 pm

    Congrats on your “3rd birthday”, Brad!
    I’m still a big fan of your food pics, always makes me hungry!

    -Kara

  60. Lai Wee Kiat
    March 31st, 2010 @ 10:28 pm

    Yo bro! Wow! What an inspirational story you have there! When I started my blog, I always wonder, how did Brad got so successful? And now I know it’s through hard work and the essence of a blog itself – the content that inspires it’s reader and in your case, make them hungry. I always see that behind your laptop you’re always on your blog. Glad to hear that your hard work is paying off and that life has constantly improved for you!

    Wee Kiat

  61. Derick Ng
    March 31st, 2010 @ 10:31 pm

    Your blog keeps my stomach going… Hah. Always here to refer to food places I should go next!

    Write more, blog more. Cheers!

  62. Beth
    March 31st, 2010 @ 10:34 pm

    Love your website! Think I saw someone like you jogging around Bt Timah area just now.

  63. missyeley
    March 31st, 2010 @ 10:58 pm

    keep sharing! =)

  64. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    March 31st, 2010 @ 11:01 pm

    mister ang: of cos, you witness the whole story bro!

    happyhues: thank you! i will definitely keep blogging, do drop by often!

    B: hahahaha yeah it is : )

    Stella: My dear, your encouragements really makes my day (or night)! lol and wow bookmarked for a year? THANK YOU!

    kara: i dropped by your portfolio site, lovely photos!

    Wee Kiat: thank you for your kind words! see you around

    Derick: sure thing, i will definitely blog more stuff to make you hungry! drop by often and say hi!

    Beth: OH WOW! yeah i was jogging in Bukit timah just now, *very unglam. oops. hahaha

    missyeley: I WILL! my greatest satisfaction lies in getting all of you hungry! : )

  65. Beth
    March 31st, 2010 @ 11:09 pm

    HAHAHA, so it was you! :) t-shirt right!

  66. Irony
    March 31st, 2010 @ 11:17 pm

    Wow 3 years and growing with even better pictures is a huge achievement!

    My friends and I often found ourselves mention Ladyironchef whenever we are looking for nice dining places. It actually became a household name =)

    And yes before we became really accustomed to this name, we really thought the writer is a lady..=D Your last sentence is indeed impactful.

  67. ciki
    April 1st, 2010 @ 2:52 pm

    happy blogg-sary!

  68. ladyironchef
    April 1st, 2010 @ 8:54 pm

    beth: haha yeah i always run there : )

    irony: WOW! that’s really a very high compliment, i’m really flattered. Thank you, and your friends! : )

    ciki: thanks ciki! cheers!

  69. Jacelyn
    April 1st, 2010 @ 10:25 pm

    Keep sharing those great food! All the best. :)

  70. vee
    April 1st, 2010 @ 11:07 pm

    i love your blog! its so easy to read and i can always trust your reviews!
    thanks for being awesome! haha :D

  71. Nuage
    April 1st, 2010 @ 11:10 pm

    Happy birthday’ blog. Ladyironchef- a interesting name for…a man:P

  72. BanBan
    April 2nd, 2010 @ 9:16 am

    I am sure all this effort is worth it! You should compile a book.

    See you at the interview this Sat! =)

  73. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    April 2nd, 2010 @ 1:42 pm

    jacelyn: I will, to keep you hungry!

    vee: Thank you for being an awesome reader, drop by often and say hi okay? : )

    Nuage: hahahaha yeah it is. thanks

    BanBan: Sure thing, see you tomorrow!

  74. Ade
    April 3rd, 2010 @ 6:21 pm

    Woo hoo.. Awesome food blogger.. have been following your food blog so I hv more choice to explore of choosing where to go wif friends.

    Keep up the gd work and continue to find more nice fd and places

  75. James
    April 4th, 2010 @ 1:33 pm

    Hey brad!
    nice to see your food blog so successful now.. i remember how it all started.. hahaha..

    hopefully next week i have the time to catch up with you.. =)

    have a happy sunday..

  76. layla
    April 5th, 2010 @ 12:06 am

    hey brad!

    a little late but congratulations! and i’m sorry i haven’t been around for reaaaally long – but the food still look as good as ever! dangerous to visit late at night after finishing a stressful assignment! :P

  77. ladyironchef
    April 5th, 2010 @ 12:58 pm

    ade: I’m glad to know that my blog is helping you to find new places to eat!

    James: Thanks buddy, you definitely witness everything behind-the-scenes. hope to see u soon yeah? (:

    Layla: haha it’s never too late, have you been busy? haven heard from you for so long! drop by soon okay? eat well!

  78. Emy
    April 28th, 2010 @ 3:33 am

    Happy blog-versary! And keep us all salivating for all the great food reviews!

    I just found that my own blog is nearly 5 years old! *gulp* I wish I can master better photography soon!

  79. 365days2play
    June 12th, 2010 @ 12:38 am

    For 1 entire month I thought you were a woman! Great blog and very nice photos!

  80. ladyironchef - Singapore Food Blog
    June 12th, 2010 @ 11:56 am

    365days2play: no problem, glad you like my blog : )

  81. shane
    January 11th, 2012 @ 12:36 am

    your awsome thanks again

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