THE inaugural Jamaica Blog Awards recently provided the platform for Jamaican bloggers — many of whom have captivated audiences with their blogs, designed either to educate and/or simply to entertain — to shine.

Blogger Ingrid Riley, creator of “Silicon Caribe”, snagged top honours at the event, earning the Blog of the Year Award.

She was not present to collect the award, but her supporters did not fail to show their appreciation for her efforts, which also saw “Silicon Caribe” earning the distinction as the Best Technology Blog for 2010.

“On behalf of Ingrid Riley and “Silicon Caribe”, I would like to thank everyone that supported us and voted. She is currently on an assignment in Montego Bay and was unable to attend,” Khary Sharpe, who collected the award on her behalf, told the audience of more than 300 people who turned out to the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston for the event.

Gregg Anderson, the blogger of “The Quick Brown Fox Jumped Over the Lazy Dog” captured two awards — Best Entertainment Blog and the Readers Choice Award.

“Real Talk with MszRockstar”, a blog created by Jody-Ann Williams, won Best Music Blog.

“From a Boy to a Man” copped the Best Personal Blog Award. The blogger Sean Bennett, filled with joy, ran on to the stage, grabbed his award and then proceeded to run around the Pegasus without giving his victory speech. He had to be called back to the stage.

“I’m happy that I won, and thanks to everybody who supported me,” the excited 21-year-old, who started the blog to inspire fatherless youths, later said.

Nicholas Robinson, who is currently studying at Westminster University in London, was awarded the Best Overseas Blogger Award for his blog “HR Gallery”. He, too, was absent from the awards. However, his mother Evadne Henry and uncle Maurice Henry were present to represent him.

“My nephew is very passionate about his craft and I would like to thank everyone who voted for him,” noted his uncle, who collected the award on his behalf.

“Kingston Style” received two awards — Best Top Blog Post for the piece titled “The Art & Detail of Jamaican Fashion” and Best Photography/Art Blog.

“On behalf of the team, I would like to thank all those who voted for “Kingston Style”. I hope you will continue to support us as we showcase the latest fashion styles from Kingston, Jamaica,” said blog representative Rosina Casserly who accepted the awards.

“Island Bride Jamaica” captured the award for Best Company Blog while the Jamaica Observer’s TEENage writer Jomarie Malcolm’s blog “Lace & Zippers” won Best New Blog. Best Beauty & Fashion Blog went to blogger Shelly-Ann Chung for her blog “Make-Up and More”.

The Best Food Blog Award went to “My Elite Grocer” while “Pree Jamaica” captured the Best Lifestyle Blog. The award for Twitter Micro Blogger went to Tonian Lindo.

Meanwhile, Corve DaCosta, organiser of the awards, is pleased with the success of the January 16 event, which was viewed online by more than 670 people.

“Now Jamaican bloggers have a platform where they can be recognised for their work. In addition, I think with the Jamaica Blog Awards, bloggers will take blogging more seriously, and even consider professional avenues for their websites,” he told Career & Education.

Following the official launch of the awards last year, 276 bloggers sent in applications for the various award categories. A team of judges then selected the top 70 from that pool and the public was thereafter invited to vote for their favourites over a two-week period.

The top five for each award category were then selected and supporters once again given the opportunity to vote for the top bloggers, casting their votes via text messaging and online at the Jamaica Blog Awards website.

Each winner was received not only a trophy, but also a certificate and a Blackberry cellphone courtesy of LIME.