Tastespotting: Index of Web Food Photos

I just stumbled across Tastespotting, a page of links to interesting food photos from around the web. It has some involvement from Sarah, the author of the blog The Delicious Life, who consulted with LTH for a whirlwind Chicago eating trip a couple of years ago.

One of their points in the "about" statement is that it's not just a proxy for the Flickr foodporn group. They prefer photos that are part of richer resources, so there are often more pictures or interesting words to be found, like:

Kalbi Tacos
Thai Kitchen Utensils
The Rainbow Ninja Muffin Squad

You can sign up to submit photos yourself. Check it out.

I went on tastespotting last night (a daily activity) and found this note:
"Thanks for a great 18 months! In light of recent legal complications, NOTCOT will no longer be operating Tastespotting.com. - Jean, NOTCOT, 6-13-08"

I can't believe it! I LOVE this site. Does anyone know anything about this?? I wonder if it is a copyright issue with recipes...

bon2mic wrote:
I can't believe it! I LOVE this site. Does anyone know anything about this?? I wonder if it is a copyright issue with recipes...

I have no firsthand knowledge regarding that website, but it could be copyright issues with recipes or (more probably) pictures.

I was so disappointed to see that last night, and a bit surprised, because it's just a compilation of links to other sites. I don't know if the people posting links were violating copyright, or what, but it sure is disappointing:(

A new addition to the handwritten note from yesterday:

"Rumors have been flying...just wanted to let you know it's not copyright/images, stalkers (?!?!?), etc...
We are still trying to resolve the legal matters...
Will tell you more when I can!
-Jean
P.S. I'm currently drowning my sorrows at www.liqurious.com but shh...it's in alpha stages!
Than you so much for supporting Tastespotting!"

So it seems it isn't copyright, I wonder what could have brought it down?

At any rate, there is a Tastespotter replacement of sorts already up and running, http://foodgawker.com/

It says today they've found new owners for Tastespotting and they'll be coming back, so I wonder if the legal issues had to do w/some kind of conflict between notcot.com (their original site) and Tastespotting, in terms of owning them both. Either way, I'll be really excited if it comes back in the same form, I've missed it!

Tastespotting is back.