The 2015 #FoodWhore Awards

Confession: when I first thought of possible cover designs, I was inspired by Instagram. You know, all those flat lays of beautiful fruit, on a pristine white background. I pictured something super tactile, a little messy, vibrant, exotic but relatable. 

Did I think people would take that cover and create their own Instagrams, often with food? Maybe? I didn't really think about it, in the way a restaurant might create a dish that screams Instagram fodder. 

But, now, looking at readers' #FoodWhore Instagrams is one of the best surprises and rewards of publishing a book. There are so many great ones, but here are some that made me heart-eye emoji like mad. 

Best Food Pornographers

Oozey, gooey, sticky bites that hit on all our pleasure points. Food whore indeed! 

A photo posted by @foooodieee (@foooodieee) on

Best Beach-Envy Shots

Author life: sitting in leggings in Brooklyn. Reader life: lounging on a tropical beach. Hm.

A photo posted by Tracy Memoli (@tracymemoli) on

Best Flat Lays

'Grammers who make true art. 

A photo posted by Ursula (@ursula_uriarte) on

A photo posted by Liz Clayman (@lizclayman) on

Best Way to Start the Day 

Forget checking your email. Start your day with a book. 

A photo posted by A Duncan (@slamduncalot) on

Best Putting the OOO in Food Whore

Like peas and carrots (or foie and Sauternes), donuts are the most common food to be posed with Food Whore. 

A photo posted by #satisfeed (@satisfeed) on

Best Carby Delights

For the savory tooths among us... 

A photo posted by @clairesees on

A photo posted by Tom Nakanishi (@tnaka83) on

Best All-Natural Sugar High 

... And those who go a little lighter. 

A photo posted by Pichet Ong (@pichetong) on

Best Coffee Break 

I liked these a latte.

A photo posted by Krista Soriano (@kristaaa) on

Best Sweet Teeth 

Because the book *did* come out right before Halloween... 

A photo posted by @wmmorrowbks on

Best Nightcap

What's better than eating and reading? Reading then sleeping.

A photo posted by abigail (@abigailfortunee) on