The Kicker The Kicker

Twenty Years of Food Blogs: Smitten Kitchen’s Deb Perelman has never needed AI to develop a recipe.

Aug 6, 2026 · 53m

Summary

Host Megan Greenwell interviews Smitten Kitchen founder Deb Perlman to celebrate the blog’s 20th anniversary. They discuss Perlman’s transition from tech writing to food blogging, the evolution of online food media, and her philosophy on maintaining an authentic, friendly voice. Perlman also shares insights on audience engagement, revenue models, and navigating the changing digital landscape while prioritizing her well-being.

Topics discussed

Introduction and Deb Perelman's background The origins of Smitten Kitchen blog Developing a personal and honest voice The early food blogging ecosystem Monetization and social media strategy Handling reader comments and questions Family life and picky eating habits Revenue streams and sponsored content AI, SEO, and changes in food culture Recipe philosophy and future outlook
Listen ad-free on Castria