Well it’s been a couple of months since my trip to Seattle to attend the International Food Blogger Conference (IFBC2013) sponsored by Foodista.
What a whirlwind trip it was. I only had a few days to try to pack in as much as I could see and eat. What else you do at a conference about food but eat and drink. Throw in some photography and writing sessions and the conference is complete. I had a blast. I took the optional pre-conference excursion to Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery in Woodinville, WA. We toured the facility then sat down for a wine/food paring.
Dorie Greenspan was the keynote speaker and I was able to gather my courage and ask her to sign one of my favorite cookbooks. I even was able to tell her a funny story of my pies. The food never disappoints it gets better and better. Friday was the fabulous Taste of Seattle dinner. Lots of restaurant samples and wine to taste. One of my favorite food samples were the fresh oysters from Taylor Shellfish. I would walk around to the different tables but kept returning to the oysters. I did eat my fair share!
Urbanspoon sponsored the secret dine around Seattle dinner on Saturday night. My dinning companions and I found ourselves at the Golden Beetle a modern organic Mediterranean restaurant in the Ballard neighborhood. YUM!
What else is there to say? There was LOTS of food and wine. I am very glad that I brought an empty suitcase (I learned the hard way of having to ship my goodies home in 2012). The conference seems to get better and better every year. I am already making plans for IFBC 2014, again it’s in Seattle so I will get to see the things I missed and eat somethings a second time. This time I’ll bring them home to share. Well maybe, shhhhhhhh.
Grapes still on the vine |
Food and wine paring at the winery |
OMG! It’s Dorie Greenspan! |
Oysters from Taylor Shellfish, YUM and my favorite |
Another food and wine pairing session |
Wood burning oven at the Golden Beetle in the Ballard neighborhood Seattle, WA |