This month marks Amateur Gourmand’s first blog-iversary, and as I reflect back on the past year, I can’t help but feel truly blessed for all the wonderful new opportunities, experiences and friends I’ve made through this blog.

And to add fuel to my blissful state of mind, I received a lovely email yesterday announcing that I’m among the winners of Foodista’s Best of Food Blogs Cookbook contest. My chapchae recipe will be published in the cookbook, which will be released on Oct 19 (you can pre-order your copy on Amazon.com).

Of course this success was due in large part to those who voted for me — a heartfelt THANK YOU to you all. Thank you for your unwavering support and for continuing to encourage me despite how awful some of my photographs turn out or the occassional disasters I create in my kitchen

Here’s to another year of fun food adventures!