Twitter: @masterchefTD (10,791 followers) Facebook:facebook.com/cheftiffanyderry (5,982 likes) Total followers: 16,765 Why she makes the list: The former Top Chef contestant lets fans in on her hectic life, and the goings-on of a celebrity chef. Up until this week, she also posted on behind-the-scenes happenings at her now-former restaurant, Private Social. Sample Facebook post: "Tune in tonight while I guest-judge with Bobby Flay on his new show Best Home Cooks in America at 9pm on Food Network channel. Tell me what u think??" (Jan. 23)
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Food in Fort Worth
Twitter: @FoodFortWorth (1,372 followers) Why it makes the list: A local blog that keeps a close eye on the busy, tasty culinary scene, with restaurant news -- openings, closings, reviews. They tweet and retweet, sometimes with comment, sometimes without. Sample tweet: "More proof Magnolia Cheese Co. @nearsouthside needs to scrap or fix counter service. @cityofate got mad, walked out. http://bit.ly/WmWC0u" (Jan. 28)
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Teresa Gubbins
Twitter:@tgubbins (1,907 followers) Facebook: facebook.com/teresa.gubbins (2,934) Total followers: 4,841 Why she makes the list: Dining critic, foodie and restaurant newshound, Teresa "Gumshoe" Gubbins often has the scoop before anyone else. Senior editor for Culture Map Dallas, freelance writer/critic for DFW.com, the Star-Telegram, and others. If you want to be a foodie in the know, Gumshoe is always ahead of the curve. Sample Facebook post: "I didn't have Frito Pie in my school cafeteria but I didn't grow up in Texas. Now it's the new hot dish -- at Stateside Pie & Beer, the coming-soon FM Smoke House, and of course Stampede 66 by Stephan Pyles. Pecan Lodge Catering, bring yours back! (Jan. 25)
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Jay Jerrier, Cane Rosso
Twitter:@canerosso (2,918 followers) Facebook: facebook.com/ilcanerosso (7,050 likes) Total followers: 9,968 Why he makes the list: The most well-connected restaurant owner in DFW, Jerrier gives followers a front row seat to his burgeoning pizza empire, but also gets social about other Metroplex eateries. Foodies consider him one of the best social media practitioners on the restaurant scene. Sample tweet: "Outtake from Donnie Brasco? On the set of an Italian porno? Nope, just Dino & Marco conspiring @ Cane Rosso" (Jan. 23)
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Lockhart Smokehouse
Twitter: @dallaslockhart (2,494 followers) Facebook: facebook.com/lockhartsmokehouse (2,816 likes) Total followers: 5,310 Why it makes the list: Irreverent about most things, but not about smoked meats, this Oak Cliff temple of barbecue offers rib-sticking tweets and mouth-watering Facebook photos.
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Jose Ralat-Maldonado of Taco Trail
Twitter:@tacotrail (961 followers) Facebook:facebook.com/tacotrail (439 likes); facebook.com/joseralatmaldonado (874 friends) Total followers: 2,274 Why he makes the list: A tireless consumer of the good, the bad and the weird in NTX tacos, Ralat-Maldonado has become an indispensable guide to taco cuisine , sharing his opinions on Facebook and Twitter. Sample Facebook post: "Taqueria La Ventana blew the opportunity to be a gateway restaurant by employing offensive language poorly veiled as cute in order to attract a certain clientele. Did they think no one would notice?" (Jan. 28)
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Ashlie Michelle (Almost Veggies)
Twitter: @AlmostVeggieDAL (451 followers) Facebook: facebook.com/almostveggiedallas (142 likes) Total followers: 593 Why she makes the list: Ashlie Michelle covers the DFW and Houston food scenes. Many of her tweets will lead you to her Almost Veggies website (www.almostveggies.com), where she writes about the dining experience beyond just the food, but her Twitter feed is worth a follow for stuff like this: "Our server at @BikinisSBG has a gigantic hicky. #awesome #exciting." Sample tweet: "Country Pâté - broken arrow wild boar, citrus mustard & pickled veg. @BolsaDallas" (Jan. 15)
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Hans Peter Muller, Swiss Pastry Shop
Twitter:@swisspastryman (199 followers) Facebook: facebook.com/swisspastryshop (1,341 likes) Total followers: 1,540 Why he makes the list: Freewheeling and mouthwatering, Muller's Twitter feed is a hilarious must-read. Same goes for the Facebook page, where the photos themselves are worth the visit. Sample tweet: "Haven't made a wedding cake myself in over a year. Hope this one doesn't suck." (Jan. 26)
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Kent Rathbun
Twitter:@chef911 (1,777 followers) Facebook:facebook.com/kent.rathbun (5,144 friends) Total followers: 6,921 Why he makes the list: The Dallas chef plugs his own eateries, but also gives behind-the-scenes insight.
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Revolver Taco Lounge
Twitter:@revolvertaco (245 followers) Facebook:facebook.com/pages/revolver-taco-lounge (1,664 likes) Total followers: 1,909 Why it makes the list: The Fort Worth upscale taqueria promotes its own food, but also highlights the work of others. Sample tweet: "Tokyo cafe girl meet revolver taco girl http://yfrog.com/odh4ihtj" (Jan. 17)
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David Anthony Temple
Twitter:@chefdat (971 followers) Facebook: facebook.com/chefdat (1,586 friends) Total followers: 2,557 Why he makes the list: The Dallas chef known as Chef DAT invites followers to his "underground" dinners, but also offers thoughts on food.
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John Tesar
Twitter: @chefjohntesar (2,029 followers) Facebook: Personal page, 5,161 friends; facebook.com/chefjohntesar (328 likes) Total followers: 2,357 Why he makes the list: The controversial, opinionated chef -- dubbed "the most hated chef in Dallas" last year by D Magazine - doesn't hold back, and often interacts with his famous pals. And when booted from Top Chef Seattle this season, he used Twitter relentlessly to campaign for a chance to return to the show, with #SaveChefJohn. Sample tweet: "Flaco can say whatever he wants about me. But Taste is like Wow awful." (Jan. 23)
(DFW.com/Rodger Mallison)
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Daniel Vaughn
Twitter: @bbqsnob (7,786 followers) Facebook:Texas BBQ (Full Custom BBQ) (1,590 likes) Total followers: 9,376 Why he makes the list: The writer known as "BBQ Snob" rates the ribs, brisket and sides of nearly every barbecue joint (it seems) in the country. Aside from tweeting his own findings, he also uses Twitter to engage a conversation with readers -- agreeing or disagreeing with other opinionated barbecue enthusiasts. Sample tweet: "Great to see Dallas finally has a BBQ food truck. @oinknmoodfwbbq has some real potential. Generous brisket fat needs more time to smoke." (Jan. 25)