A weekend full of food, food talk and foodies!

Food was in the air this whole of past weekend! So much that I don’t think I should be even thinking of food for a couple days. But what a wonderful and fun trip this one proved to be! This was the first time I was leaving my little monster and was going to be away from her for two full days. I must admit I was questioning myself if I must really go but I am so glad I did. This was my first food bloggers conference and I may be addicted to it now! It was such a  great opportunity to meet some like minded people who share the same passion as yours. Food Blog Forum and the organizer Gwen of Bunkycooks made the experience a lot more entertaining and informative for us. I’ve already said this to them a number of times personally but I want to say this again to them in writing “thank you so much Bunkycooks, whiteonricecouple and steamykitchen for putting it all together for us!”. Now a quick recap for those who were not able to join us.

Day Night 1:

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All the bloggers met at the Viking Store on Friday evening just to kickoff the conference with loads of food, wine and a few surprises.. Well, good ones!

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Environment was relaxed, people were cooking together in the kitchen, sharing their travel experiences over a glass of wine, taking photographs and before we knew we all had made some new friends!

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Jaden then spiced things up by introducing us to Chef Kevin Rathburn (from Rathbuns Restaurant) and he was actually going to cook for us!

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And do I even need to tell you how insanely good his pork chops were? He gave us a few cooking demos but I can tell you, people were mostly thinking how fast that food was going into their mouths. We were stuffed when we finally said a goodbye to everyone before going back home. It was a great start to a great event.

Day 2:

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Next day began with a few more surprises. Again some good ones!

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Foodies can’t even think of doing something without a belly full of good food so first things first!

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And then began a day full of some really useful info which a new blogger like me who is still trying to wrap her arms around the blogging world really appreciated.

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Diane and Todd from whiteonricecouple shared some really cool insights into food photography. Scott Hair of steamykitchen shared with us ways to design a food career, John Kessler from Atlanta Journal-Constitution and James Andrews and Lauren Thomas from Everywhere helped us understand how to work with media outlets and brands.

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Then there were two beautiful ladies Virginia Willis, renowned chef and cookbook author and Alisa Barry of Bella Cucina who joined Jaden and talked to us about ways to stand out in a crowd and how to build a personal brand.

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Now everyone thinks about how to make some money and if you can do it while doing something you are passionate about nothing beats that! So Jaden spent some time discussing blogging bussiness stratergies.
All in all it was a great wholesome conference!

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But you know what the best part of this whole weekend was? No, not the wine or food! It was the people we met and the friends we made in these mere two days.

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I want to say this to all my new friends if you are reading this post (you better be!) that I loved spending time with you and knowing each and every one of you! Megan of What’s Megan Cooking, Wendy of The Local Cook and Julie of Mommie Cooks thanks for spending so much time with me and being so kind! Alison Lewis of Ingredients, Inc what can I say? I just wanna be you! Loved talking with you and learning so much from you. Tori of Food Victorian, Melisa of My McDonald Meal and Julie of The Little Kitchen thank you so much for being so warm and friendly. It was great to see your interest in knowing more about Indian food and Tori please forgive me if you don’t like your photograph up here! And finally a BIG shout-out to Jodie of Eating on The Cheap, Amy of She Wears Many Hats, Robyn of Add a Pinch, Debra of Smith Bites, Dana of One Haute Plate and Andrea of Off Her Cork you guys rock! Love to you all and I really hope we get to meet again soon.

41 Comments

  1. I went to my first food blogger’s conference the beginning of the year and had a blast! It’s so awesome being able to talk to likeminded people and of course the tips and advice are invaluable.

  2. Prerna, thanks for stopping by my site. I’m sorry I missed you at FBF, but hopefully we can connect anyway! I’ve been reading and looking at your photos — really beautiful!

  3. Wow the recap are just beautiful, wish to participate and meet you some time. As always the pictures are marvellous and it shows how much you enjoyed 🙂

  4. Wow!!! I have never been to a food blogger conference, other than HLS and Fitbloggin! But I think those all hit pretty much the same topics. I would like to go to an all-you-can- eat foodie conference :)!

  5. Hi Prerna! Thanks for your sweet note on my ginger cake post. I couldn’t find an email for you, so I’m leaving another comment here to answer your questions. The pan in the pears shot is vintage copper. Hope you’re able to find one at the flea market :). As for the ginger photo, It was late afternoon when I took this photo so I just used direct window light and even narrowed the light coming in with a board blocking part of the window. Then I used a small black poster board to the lower right to increase the shadow even more. Let me know if you have any more questions. I love talking to foodies as none of my nearby friends are.

  6. Thanks for the kind words on my blog. I wanted you to know that I love your blog so much. I’ve had your palak paneer bookmarked and waiting for me for weeks! 🙂

  7. uh..oh, I’ve been regular reader since couple of months. Check your previous posts where I’ve had left my comment under the name of ‘Sonia’. You already been there at my blog as well. 🙂

    btw, where is your contact address dear? I don’t see here.

  8. Looks like it was a blast !

    Prerna wanted to tell you that you should start putting copyright in your photographs. In no time you will see them copied and stolen if you don’t. (They will be copied anyway sometime or the othe, but it is safer with your mark on it).

  9. Hi Prerna,

    Read your comment. Thank you so much for dropping your comments on my space. It’s really encouraging for a beginner. Well, Paaka- shaale in kannada means cooking school. Sometimes it is even referred as the kitchen. Hope this helps. Take care.

  10. Prerna loved meeting you at the conf. I was wondering if I could use the picture you got of the goodie bags we received of course I’ll link back to you. Your pictures are amazing wish I would have been able to multi task better.

  11. Prerna, This is a gorgeous post full of all the fun details and rocking photography!

    I wish I’d met you in real life, I know we will get together soon. I’m following along with your blog now.

    Thanks for joining in on Mingle Monday!

  12. I am really enjoying your blog! As I am very interested in delicious healthy food. (Especially like learning about Indian foods) This conference looked like you learned alot. But the best part is your warm friendliness. Absolutely love your pictures!

  13. What a good recap.. and like everyone already said here, great pictures! Love how you capture the most important parts… so sorry I missed you and did not meet up and exchange a few words during the event. I guess we are going to have to go to the next one and make it a point to meet!

  14. It looks like you had a GREAT time in Atlanta! How fun to learn from “the best” – I love the mirror they had so you could see what was happening on the counter. Great photography, too!

  15. Hi! I’m stopping over from Julie at Mommie Cooks!

    Your blog is absolutely gorgeous! Your pictures are stunning and your food looks amazing! I’ve been curious about Indian food recently so I’m very excited about what I can learn from you. PS. The garlic chicken looks amazing!

    I hope you don’t mind me popping over more often. 🙂 Have a great week!

  16. Wow.. thats an awesome sum up.. looks like you had a great time 🙂 would love to meet you sometime too..

    As ever, your clicks speak a lot and love them too much 🙂

  17. What a great post! And fantastic pictures! Thanks so much for the shout out! It was so great meeting you and talking to you. I hope we can meet up at another conference in the future!

  18. It was totally a blast you guys! I had a really great time, met great bloggers and food related people and made so many friends.
    @ a spicy perspective- Totally! I got more than I had bargained for and for this particular conference the tickets were not that expensive either and presentations were neat. I would go again!

  19. beautiful pictures and great recap! I feel like I’m reading the blog of a friend – because we are friends now! Blog friends and real life friends. So thankful to have met you 🙂

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