When there were only 3 participants into January’s food challenge, I was very sad. I received TONS of feedback about the beer ingredient and was kinda surprised about it to be honest but understood and took note of what everyone had to say about using beer.
Because of the low participation, I was hoping that the entrants would be understanding about having such low number and wanting more for such a high valued prize, so I decided to offer them a gift card (or paypal) for their participation and if they did not approve, I’d do whatever it took to make it right, even if I had to buy the waffle maker out of my own money for every single one of them. I was just hoping they’d be understanding. Clearly I was wrong.
I should have just picked a winner out of the three from the start and gave them the prize but I was embarrassed of the low participation level.  I figured if I made it right with each of the entrants (all of them get a prize out of my own pocket), then everything would be okay.   Well, instead of seeing my good intentions, I was called shady for my actions. I was really really hurt about it to be honest. I stake everything on my reputation and it just made me sick to my stomach to think that I was thought of like that. The participant never replied to me, but instead reached out the sponsor. I would have appreciated an email from her first to discuss the situation because we are all adults after all right? Anyways….
It IS my fault. I should have not handled it that way but I was truly trying to make all 3 happy, I guess I just went about it wrong. I own that, accept it, and apologize for it.
So with that, I have decided to cancel all future food challenges. Well, the support I’ve received is amazing. AMAZING so please go ahead and give February’s Food Challenge a try!!
I’ve decided not to take the sponsor’s prize to give to Cara but instead, pay for the prize out of my own money for the misunderstanding. The sponsor had no idea about anything until they received the email from the participant. It is not their fault or anyone’s, but mine.
The winner of January’s Food Challenge is Cara with her Rosemary Beer Bread.
I’m sorry for everything but please know this. I AM NO SHADY and I’ll put my kids on that statement.
Sincerely,
Lori Falcon
P.S. I will not name the person who complained. That’s not my style, so don’t ask.
Sorry to hear about this. Your site is great and you are definitely not a shady person. Sad to see the food challenge go, though.
Wow, I am so sorry you had to go through this.. Honestly I think you’re a great blogger, and amazing person. Congratulations to the winner.. Sorry it had to end in a way like this.
You are most definitely not shady and I can understand the low participation situation. I really hope you don’t let one greedy person ruin the food challenge. Maybe add a stipulation to the rules about prizing and a minimum number of entrants.
I hate when people act like that and then wonder why they have such a hard time in the blogoverse. What goes around comes around so don’t you sweat it, dear. We all know your character and know your not shady in the least!
Shady? I dont get it…shady for offering 3 prizes instead of 1? Whoever took time to tell you, or a sponsor that, is a pissy little 2 year old that needs to get a fucking clue and go raise thier kids or something.
You keep on doing challenges..i dont enter cause im a craptastic baker, but I love to see what people came up with… 3 or 300. Dont be embarrassed, there are lots of people like me on the sidelines that are watchers to the creators.
You keep on doing yours and let that big bloggy baby go suck her thumb.
I was happy to participate and my husband I had fun creating the bread and it’s really sad that it had to take the turn that it did. It’s sad that another participant really took advantage of you (in my eyes) for hosting such a cool event– this was my first time participating and I hope that you do host again!
I’m so sorry that happened Lori! I had bought all the other ingredients but my husband kept buying an ale that was not good for cooking and I just never made it to the liquor store. Which is why I never entered. I’m also better at coming up with recipes for something sweet vs. savory and I was so looking forward to trying in the Feb. challenge. I think that was wrong of the blogger to contact the sponsor directly before trying to work things out with you first. Thankfully you have a great relationship built already with KitchenAid and I would hope this didn’t damage it.
And I totally understand how you feel. I ran a live giveaway where a blogger thought I was being shady. Only a few seconds after she commented I pulled another comment out of moderation which was actually submitted first and therefore after 30 seconds or so she no longer had the winning comment. She stalked my blog for a couple of days and said all kinds of hurtful things, even though I stated in the rules it was a possibility and that I would have to declare the winners. Ironically she never satisfied the main entry requirement anyway and was ineligible. Not that it matter to her. I was still a shady blogger. And that is why I have no desire to run a live giveaway again. I’m a very honest person and that made me feel horrible.
Lori – I’ve always known you to be a real, genuine and warm person. Totally stand up. I truly think that’s been a key ingredient in your success. You are a good person. I’m so sorry you were hurt and had to go through this!
People Can be so cruel. You were just trying to do a good deed and people turn to vipers. I think you have gone above and beyond. Its too bad people have to act like children….Shame on them! Keep up the great work and I totally love your site!
It’s a darn shame that this happened to you. You are one of THE most reputable and ethical people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. I’m so sorry you were sad. ((Hugs))
I so agree with the others here Lori…I understand what has happened, hurts..but shake it off. Obviously this person was a sore winner! She has to live with herself now…I hope she can do that! You on the other hand can hold your head up high and know in your heart of hearts you intended to do the right thing and make everyone happy! Good luck hun and don’t let let person ‘sour’ things for you! Sending {{{hugs}}}
Some people are just never happy no matter what you do. So sorry you had to go through all this :(
Now this is such a shame to hear. It seems to me that you were just trying to finalize the contest by having all involved win. I don’t blame you for that. Shame on them for calling you shady. I’ve know you online for years and had the pleasure of meeting you in person last year and you have always struck me as sincere. I myself didn’t enter because of the beer thing, I had no clue. I truly hope that you don’t let one rotten apple spoil the whole bunch. What a shame they didn’t even have the courtesy to contact you with questions.
Gosh, you guys are so freakin’ awesome. I really appreciate the support. Y’all are truly the best folks ever.
http://mywoodenspoon.com/february-food-challenge/ it’s ON LIKE DONKEY KONG!
BRUTAL! HUGS to you and know that we all love you and would NEVER say or even think that you are even a shade of shady!!!!
Good for you for going on with it! Never give in. We all love and support you!
I adore you, sweetheart. I have no idea why anyone would/consider such a giving gesture “shady” – that’s so wrong and jaded.
I would have participated, but I’ve had sick children these past 2 weeks, and now I’m sick, too. I would love to participate in one of your challenges, soon, though. Grateful you’re continuing on with them :)
There’s no way that you would do anything even remotely shady. Whoever thinks that needs to read through your blog posts. You are the most authentic and honest blogger I know. Let me at ’em.
Remember the advice that you give me. Today you need it. Much love and big hugs to you!
I’m so sorry that happened.
You are one of the most generous and giving people I have ever met.
And I know things you have done that people don’t know about in terms of giving because you never want stuff like that shared publicly… you are always top notch.
Love you sweetie!
So sorry to hear that Lori! I’d participate, but I’m not a very good cook. (don’t tell anyone, k)
Dang, I forgot to do my entry for this! I was going to make a ham and cheese stromboli and use the beer and the rosemary in the dough. I think it was nice that you wanted to offer something to all three, but with giveaways you just have to stick with what you said to start with. You can always add something to your rules that the main prize will only be given if more than X number of qualified entries are received or something like that.
Geesh, what’s the big deal about cooking with beer? I have more fantastic recipes that use beer, whiskey, wine, ale and more! The stuff cooks out, adds a wonderful taste to the food, and you have a bunch of happy people. If you ever offer a contest to make a Whiskey Cake, I’ll be the first to enter. Glad I live in New England. People should get over it.