Food bloggers are the bane of every restaurant owner’s life — I know, I am one.

Two and a half years ago, when I started my food blog Dos Hermanos with my brother, Robin, we were part of what was a relatively small group of enthusiasts keen to record our cooking and dining habits in words and blurry pictures.

Now, at the opening of any new restaurant you will see tables occupied by diners making detailed notes of each bite while snapping away with their cameras before rushing home to pontificate about their meal online.

At the last count there were more than 10,000 food blogs online around the world with more being started every day.

There are blogs in every country and covering every cuisine. There are blogs about home cooking and blogs about fine dining, blogs about rare wine and blogs about home-brewed beers. There is even a blog dedicated to the humble hot dog.

If it can be cooked and consumed someone is blogging about it.

However, for every food blogger who offers up a genuine challenge to the professional critics, there are 10 who don’t know their amuse bouche from their petit fours.

Working your way through them can be a laborious task, but I have done it so you don’t have to. Here are my top 10 favourite food blogs.

TOP 10 FOOD BLOGS

1) Mexico cooks

Cristina Potter’s knowledge of Mexican food is matched only by her passion for her adopted home. The best starting point for anyone who wants to learn more about the varied cuisine of this extraordinary country.

2) Eating Asia

Robyn Eckhardt knows more about the food of South East Asia than anyone I have ever encountered. Check out a recent post on The Philippines for an example of superb food writing.

3) Silverbrow on food

The quirky journal of a man whose eating is restricted by the Jewish rules of Kashrut, the author still seems to pack away plenty of food and writes about it very well.

4) Grab your fork

All food bloggers should aspire to be as good as Helen Yee. Her wonderful website, mainly about Sydney is a daily read for me even if she is discussing places halfway across the world.

5) Chocolate and zucchini

Clotilde Dusoulier’s online presence remains the ne plus ultra of French food blogs and has been supported by the recent publication of books based on her experiences of shopping, eating and cooking in Paris.

6) Wine anorak

Jamie Goode’s unfussy approach to wine opens a mysterious world up to a whole new audience and his tales of travels in search of the best bottles are amusing and informative.

7) The boy done food

Featuring the exploits of food journalist, William Leigh, this blog could only be improved if he posted more often. When he does, it is well worth reading.

8) Refined palate

There are few people on this earth who can have eaten at as many fine-dining establishments as Liz Haskell and her husband, John. Every bite they take is captured in minute detail on her well-designed blog.

9) Cheese and biscuits

Although a relatively new contender, Chris Pople is slowly developing a distinctive and enjoyable writing style, which makes his blog a fun stopping off point with my morning cup of tea.

10) Eat like a girl

More like “Eat Like a Baby Elephant” as Irish ex-pat Niamh Shields shares delicious recipes on the few occasions she is not dining out.

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