The deadline has past, the entries are in, and I’ve just picked myself off the floor from a dead faint. It’s been an amazing month watching the entries roll in, uploading them, breathing a sigh of relief that I’m caught up, then more entries rolling in, and more uploading, and another sigh of relief, and more entries….well, you get the picture.
Something I’ve learned…asking Biggie to post your contest to her links section will generate entries, and you don’t really need to fret (as I did) that you will have enough entries. Having Biggie post about your contest on her blog where all her subscribers and readers will generate so many entries that you will go dizzy and lightheaded and you’ll faint dead away. Upon awakening, you’ll be giddy with excitement and feel the need to thank her profusely. So thanks again Biggie. The success of this contest wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Another thing I’ve learned is that hosting such a contest is not good for watching one’s waistline. I’ve decided that everyone who entered must donate $1 to me for this month’s gym membership! (just kidding!) LOL! All these photos of food have made me constantly hungry.
But they have also constantly inspired me with their ingredients and photographs. I’m overwhelmed, humbled, and amazed that there were 60 ENTRIES in this bento blog contest. YOWZERS!
Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…it’s time to vote.
Here’s are the rules for voting. Please abide by them. There are lots of entries, so I want this to be as fair as possible. And I so don’t want a 60-way tie. ROTFL.
- Your vote must be in the form of a comment on this post.
- Votes must be posted by September 8, 2008, 11:59 p.m. here at Not Exactly Bento.
- Each person can vote for up to 3 bentos (the 2 you entered and 1 of one you didn’t enter). You don’t have to vote for 3 though. Boy, am I confusing yet? I hope not.
- Tell me what specifically about the photo receives your vote based on the guidelines for this contest: When you see the bento, it makes you salivate. OH BOY! Can I ever answer this one after looking at all these entries. I have some of them saved in a special little ideas folder for ingredients used, how the box was arranged, how the photo was taken, on and on and on.
If you didn’t enter the contest, please vote! I’ve been walking around with a hand towel as I look at these pictures. It’s needed for their drool-worthiness.
Are you tired of me talking? I bet you are.
Entries can be found at my flickr page in this Flickr album. Clicking this link will open a new window. Then come back here and vote! Off you go!
We can vote for 3? That makes this easier… or maybe not.
#8, #48, #51
Entry #8 by This Little Bento. I’m biased for good colors and clear photos (and really liked the one before it, taken outside on a wooden railing?, but I don’t like scrambled eggs in my bentos because when they’re cold, they don’t appeal to me – learned the hard way), and I love her symmetry. I don’t show it much or that clearly in most bentos but I really like things to be even and match and all that, and her pattern just rubs my belly the right way
LOTS of terrific entries though, was pretty hard to choose… and I should be working =X
I love #8.
I vote for #29. I love the simplicity and clarity. And those little sausages look very tasty.
I love #17, and I wish it was my lunch. It looks like the most darling little picnic package and it inspires me to throw a bento tea party.
I also think #8 looks vibrant and delicious, and I love the creative use of shapes and colors.
Wow… um. I only have one entry so I will only use two votes.
I’m gonna vote for “Soy and Pepper”(#29).. I really like their style, clean and crisp. For that matter I like #28 too, but I said I was only gonna vote for one. So there you have it.
And my own, #10.
17 – i love goats cheese and liked the lovely picture of it before it was opened.
8 – just becuase of the repeating patterns and perfectly complimentary colours
29 – which almost tied with 28 but has a cute panda bottle. The black and white of the rice and box just seem to highlight how red and green the veggies are.
they all look yummy though – v. glad i was eating dinner whilst looking at them or i’d be straving now.
I love colorful bentos so my votes go to:
#3 because it looks delicious, healthy, something I would make for myself. And a gorgeous backdrop!
#18 for color, do-ability and showing you don’t need an official bento box to do bento.
#28 for a rice-less alternative that looks just so delicious and again, something I would make for myself.
Well Jenn, as the whole idea behind your contest was giving people different ideas for their own bento I think you succeded brilliantly! I picked three bentos that I would like to have for my own lunch and that I think I can make. Thanks!
I love the awesome flower them in #51, the choice of colours in #50, and the symmetry of #8. All the other entries are fab too!!
I vote for #8. It looks like a quilt and is quite appetizing.
#10
The fun smiles from the rice balls and yummy fresh cherries. The cherries make me want to lick the monitor.
#10 & #51
I love both of these. They look soooo yummy and I love the presentation.
Glad you got lots of entries! Thanks for the shout out — I do want people to remember that I’ve got that Lunch Blog Events page and feel free to tell me about bento or packed lunch contests or events. It’s here: http://lunchinabox.net/links/lunch-blog-events/
#10 — not only does the whole thing look delicious, but the riceball faces are too damn cute.
#16 — the yin/yang is pretty damn cool and it looks almost perfict.
I didn’t enter so I’m not sure I get 3 votes… #8 is my favorite.
Good question Kat. I didn’t think of that when I wrote up the rules. This is equal opportunity voting. You get three votes no matter if you entered the contest or not. I appreciate your stopping by to vote!
#41 (I made it, the best of my entries, and it looks yummy still!)
#59 has some great color- you were right about all this making me hungry!
#16- the yin/ ynag was very creative, good job!
I vote for # 50 and # 51 by Nicola. for its creativity, colour and simplicty
Ooooh these are so gorgeous, I love all the shapes, the cute containers and the colours, wow everyone puts so much effort into their lunch boxes. Well done! I will vote for
delicious!!!
#55 by dddiva cos I really fancy everything in that lunch box
#51 by Nicola WOW such artistry!! And everything sounds delicious and pretty healthy!!
#50 also by Nicola GOSH this would have to be my absolute favourite. If I had only one vote this would be IT
Good luck with all that voting, so many entries to choose from!!:)
#50 and #51 – Nicola RULES
50 and 51 … (NOT 41!!) good luck nicola
#23, 34 and 60. #60 looks like something I could easily make and that looks oh so yummy to me! Plus, it looks really *filling*, which is what I look for in a bento. Plenty of carbs, bit of protein and some fruit & veg to make it complete. Also, it’s so colourful!
#50 and #51 so totally has my vote!
#22 for its utter simplicity and the yumminess factor. #18 and #51 for beautiful colors and presentation!
#35- Mine, of course, and it was super tasty!
#31- All the food looks yummy and the frozen berries are very pretty.
#28- For originality. (and also, I love quiche)
#28: love the contrast of the delicate salad with the adorable quiche, looks so tasty together!
#38: everything is so neatly arranged and I would eat absolutely everything in that bento
Darn it I miss the contest. But I wanna vote! yay!
So:
gold medal: #3 I like the general organization, colors, variety, and of course effort in the choice of setting. Good job.
Silver medal: #29 even though sausages dont make me drool at all, there’s some elegance in this classy bento
bronze medal: #8 for the cute lay-out of the sandwich and colors, organization of the food
good luck all contestants!
I am new to bentos…Love your website. Have not made my first yet, but soon.
I vote for 8 and 29.
Love seeing all the bentos and the great creativity. Of course I like my own because I know that my 2 year old really liked them and ate everything so here’s votes for #52 & #53. The one that really appealed to me and that I wanted for my lunch was #28.
Thanks for hosting the contest, it’s been fun.
36
)
8
51
my 3 votes. ( i don’t have entries but used all 3 votes anyway
52, 53, and 27 all look like something my very picky 3 1/2 y/o would eat. So they definitely get my vote.
I vote for #59. It looks delish!
Okay, those all looked really yummy! I voted for the ones that looked yummy and visually interesting. Meaning that there were lots of different colors and the bento was arranged in a way that was visually pleasing but not too chaotic.
My votes are for: 28, 38, & 59.
my vote: 8, 52, 53
52 and 53
I love #52, #53, and #20
52 &53
11, 12, and 18
I vote for Lisa…52 and 53 and number 1
I like #39 and #59
I need rice in my bento and I love brown rice. I also like the unagi in #39 and the beef negimaki in #59.
#36
I gotta vote for my own, just because it was so darn tasty! and the pasta became a favorite new bento recipe
#29
It looked so beautiful and so very yummy!
and
#17
What a great idea for a box!
I vote #52 and #53
I’ll vote for #20, because it’s lonely (also, it is mine, but who’s counting? =P )
#43 because Sarah has such cute ideas, and she is SO creative with what little she can eat.
#45 because it really caught my eye and is super cute and looks yummy!
I vote for #52 and #53 because you can tell they were made for a little Bento eater. How cute!
So many yummy choices! I had a hard time narrowing it down to three…but here goes:
#8 because I just love the colors and symmetrical use of patterns and shapes.
#17 because it looks very elegant…like something you might get for a picnic snack at a snazzy bed and breakfast inn.
#51 because the flower garden arrangement is so cute and creative!
I love #53, looks like something my niece would love!
So many beautiful entries from which to choose!
17 (I adore the presentation), 28 (the colors are so rich and the food looks delicious), and 59 (a smidge of self-service).
I vote for #53 because those pinwheel sandwiches look delicious (not to mention clever)!
I missed the post on Biggie’s blog somehow and didn’t enter, but my three votes are:
#16 – Loved the Yin Yang!
#17 – That is a reused candy box isn’t it? Love the way it’s packaged like a gift – It was all just very creative!
#51 – Loved the sausage corn kernel flowers
I chose simply by clicking through the pictures to see what jumped out at me
I vote for:
#3- because it’s mine and it was super yummy!
#59- because its colourful, well organized and just looks delicious!
#8- I just love this one! The use of colour and the different shapes, its just gorgeous.
I vote for #52, #53 and #8. 52 and 53 look like something my 6 year old would actually eat, especially the little brownies. #8 has a delightful sense of color, shape and design.
I would like to give my vote to:
#3 I really enjoy the background in the picture and I also think that it is both visually appealing and super healthy looking!
i vote for:
#3. because it looks amazing and hailey is awesome.
#8. color, shape and pattern, oh my!
#59. it looks yummy, packed well.
As a mom of two 3 year old’s #52 and #53 get my vote. My Dynamic Duo would love those Bentos.
#28 by Soy and Pepper. I love the whole concept of this one. Like brunch in a box!
The quiche is an inspired choice and the whole thing just looks so tasty!
#51 by Nicola. This one is almost too pretty to eat! So much color. So appealing to both eye and tummy.
#55 by Dddiva. Balanced, beautiful, and colorful. Who wouldn’t want to dive into that long before lunchtime?
#3 no doubt! Looks amazing!!! mmmmmmmm yum!
52 and 53 are my favorites!!!!!
Meg
#02
I really want to taste this chicken-sticks
This bento is really interesting. I’ve never eaten orange chicken. Sounds tasty. Everything’s inside: carbohydrate, protein, vitamine. Plus, it’s colourful. I like it!
#12
Nice arrangement. Everything fits together: cracker+cheese, egg+rice. This one looks really yummy, too!
After looking at all those pictures, I really got hungry :[
FOR SURE 52,53 and #10…my 20 month old would love eating these.great job everyone.
I would like to vote for 52 and 53. They look like so much fun for children. I am sure a child would eat it all and be the envy of the other children. Such creativity.
28, 35, and 41. These all look like lunches that I could make and would enjoy. I particulary like the way that 28 and 35 use western flavors without compromising the balance and practicality of Bento.
28 — Quiche, salad and fruit sounds like a good lunch to me. Nice arrangement and selection too.
29 — This one looks tasty and the photo is very nice. The bento box is an interesting design.
35 — I like this one because I actually got to enjoy eating it. It was delicious and refreshing.
I vote for 8, 52, 53. I am amazed at all of them.
Here are my votes…
#17 – Lovely snack bento that shows you don’t need special containers to pack something to eat.
#18 – I love the colours and everything looks so fresh. Perfect lunch for hot weather.
#51 – I loved eating this lunch, it was tasty, pretty and really brightened my day.
My first choice is #36 Colors, technique and food choice blew me away- with small modification this would convert many a potential bento newbie I know!
2nd choice is #48 Love the use of the soup and how everything is laid out. This is another that I would point to with suggested modifications to lure potential newbies like myself.
3rd choice is #27 For its simplicity and attractiveness and great food selection.
I love number 8 for the pinwheel symmetry. I also love number 6 because I want to eat everything in it. Beetroot, pickles and sausages make me drool!
Good luck to all the contestants!
#52 and #53 have my votes! # 53 is my sweetest dream of goodies! Yummy!
Hi, I’d like to vote for 16, 17 and 28. And can you change my name to snappiness on my two photos? Thanks!
I vote #50 and #51. Good luck Nicola.
boonebento.blogspot.com
i pick number 3 because it looks yummy and healthy. nom nom nom.
number 3 is the best one!
#10
#8
‘Presentation is everything.’ – Ernie Smuntz
#18 Love the fresh colours and healthy ingredients
#28 Shameless vote for one of mine. I love the colours and freshness of that one, and the quiche was delicious!
#51 The sausage flowers are so pretty and well arranged. And not too difficult to make either. Great idea.
#29 please. neat photo!
My votes – 8, 28, and 29 ^o^
I vote for #52 and #53 because they are kid-friendly and they include steamed broccoli…for a kid!
My votes are for numbers 52 and 53. Great job everyone!! You put my food to shame.
My votes are #8, #52 & #53 (in no particular order)
I am voting for #52 and #53.
52 and 53!
I”d like to vote for the yummy looking chocolate delight # 53!
I like 52 and 53!
I like #11, #52 and #53. Love the kid themes!
I vote for #8, #52 and #53
I love the kiddie bento lunches and so would my little monkeys. My vote is for #52 and #53.
I vote for 52 adn 53!
They are all very artistic and appealing to me, but I vote for #52 as well as #53 because my kids would devour those in an instant!
I love #52 and #52. My vote is for them!
I vote for #52 and #53
I want to vote for 52 and 53. they are so colorful I know my grandchildren would love them. Wish I had them when my children were small.
#18 – I love the colours and everything looks so fresh. Perfect lunch for hot weather.
My vote goes to #18 for the same reasons Sanne just mentioned
#50 & #51
Composition is simple yet effective and the colours all match with eachother.
#18 `cause I like her!
#18! =3
I also vote for #18, it looks colourfull and I love the little heart!
18 and 19, the compositions just make me drool
#18 – Colour combination is very nice, and I like the fact she’s not using a ‘proper’ bento box.
#18 I would definetly eat this…mmmmmm
Number 8 looks very nice, I like the composition as well as the ingredients. Yum!
Number 18 would be very good for me right now… I need to eat more healthily *blush* A nice balance of colors and flavours. Plus, it has a hearts theme! Awwwww! ^.^
Number 38, to continue the streak of eights and because I really like ‘traditional’ Japanese dishes.
I vote for my #18 bento, and the two other votes go to:
#7, Simple, cute, tasty, beautiful colors
#56 variety, colours, simplicity, just great
=)
My votes go to #18! and #19
)
hug ^_^
Johan
I vote for #52 and #53! What an awesome and creative mom to make those cute bentos!
Being a mommy of 3 young kids, my vote goes to #52 and #53. Also voting for #8, love the colour and the symmetry.
I vote for #18!
#18, nice box
Hi,I would like to say these are all very inspiring. I vote for #52and #53! My girls would love the yummies.
Tara
You all are so creative. I cast my votes for #52, #53 and #48.
52 & 53 here too, please!
#8 blows the competition away