 |
| Collard Greens were everywhere at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market! |
Last weekend I had the pleasure of attending the annual BlogHer Food conference in Atlanta, GA, where over 500 food bloggers gathered.
There were lots of seminars on a range of topics, food samples from a variety of sponsors, blogger parties (including one generously hosted by Ree Drummond’s Tasty Kitchen), a visit to the Sweet Auburn Curb Market and, meals with new friends at a few local restaurants.
I was especially excited to meet up with my friend Grace from La Mia Vita Dolce. Grace was one of the first food bloggers I met last year at BlogHer Food ’10. As newbie’s, neither of us knew too many people, so we instantly connected. Over the past year, Grace and I have kept in touch and she has been a true friend helping me learn my way around the blogosphere. La Mia Vita Dolce features drop-dead gorgeous cakes, pastries and other sweets, and I encourage you to visit Grace’s site – she will leave you drooling! I was especially thrilled to hear of Grace’s exciting news – a book deal!
Another blogger friend I have been looking forward to meeting in person was Marly of Namely Marly. As soon as we saw each other, we gave each other a big hug. Although we’d never met before Atlanta, Marly and I have been following each other’s blogs over the past year. I love Marly’s blog – not only does she feature vegan recipes, but Marly is currently writing a series called The Name Project, which are excerpts of brief interviews with people she meets. During BlogHer Food, Marly tooks lots of pictures of fellow bloggers, so I can’t wait to see some of these interviews included in her series.
I also met a few of my stumble buddies, Kathy from Panini Happy, Debra from Smith Bites, Jennifer from Savoring the Thyme, Kelsey from The Naptime Chef, and Marla from Family Fresh Cooking, and had the chance to chat and spend time with a number of newer bloggers, including Sommer from A Spicy Perspective, lke from Ilke’s Kitchen, and Susie from Return to Sunday Supper. There are a lot of food bloggers these days, so going to a conference like BlogHer Food is a terrific way to connect in person with people with similar interests – namely food (and sometimes healthy food)!
 |
| Me, Grace, Marly, Ilke and Sommer |
Although most of the time in Atlanta was spent in the hotel, we did have an afternoon excursion to Sweet Auburn Curb Market, a local market with outdoor food vendors and an indoor produce market. All I can say is Collard Greens! Collard greens were everywhere – huge bundles, stacked everywhere, larger than I have ever seen in the Northeast! There were also some interesting plums, Georgia White Dirt, and Yellow Root, which is supposed to be anti-inflammatory and a natural antiobiotic.
The last night I joined a super nice group of ladies for dinner at Urban pL8, featuring fresh, seasonal, local ingredients. I was so excited to finally get to meet Kayln from Kayln’s Kitchen, one of the first food blogs I started following when I started blogging last year. I also had the pleasure of meeting Andrea Myers, Lydia from The Perfect Pantry, Susie from Eat Little Eat Big, Liz from Meal Makeover Moms, Kathy from Panini Happy, and Kelly from Sass and Veracity. Unfortunately, I could only stay for a bit (I took out an order of the Red Curry Pan-Seared Tofu with Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Broccoli, and Coconut Milk, and it was by far the best meal I had during my trip in Atlanta) before I had to head to the airport.
I was glad to have had the opportunity to spend a little bit of time getting to know a few more food bloggers in person. Meeting people through the blogosphere is fun, but I have to say, putting a real person to a blog and having a face-to-face connection and conversation is definitely more meaningful.
So much fun. I am going to my first travel bloggers conference in two weeks, also looking forward to meeting some people I talk to all the time.
Ayngelina, so glad to hear you're going to your first travel blogger's conference – I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun meeting people you've "talked" to!
You sweet woman!! and I want to do-over because I want more time with you. Looks like I am coming to CT. So happy you had a great time!
Jeanette is was so wonderful to see you again! I often say one of the best things to come out of the very first conference I attended, BlogHer Food 2010, was meeting you. You are an amazing friend and an amazing woman with a heart of gold! I count my lucky stars every day that we met.
Jennifer – let me know if you're in CT – would love to get together!
Grace – loved spending time with you in Atlanta – you are an incredible person and I thank you for all the encouragement and support you've given me this past year! And congratulations again on your upcoming book!
This is quite a wonderful write-up! It was lovely to get to meet you at dinner Saturday (and survive that taxi ride!!!) and more importantly, now have a great new blog to read. Love all your photos — will be checking out your blogging issues as well :). In a friendly way, of course!
Jeanette, I'm so glad I got to meet you at the conference and wish we'd had more time to chat on Saturday. We should do an East Coast blogger meet up sometime just for fun!
Andrea – it was really nice meeting you and I do hope we have more time to get to know each other in person next time we meet. An East Coast blogger meet up sounds like a terrific idea!
Kelly, good thing we didn't get stopped in that taxi! Great fun though. So nice to have connected with you and your blog. Looking forward to getting to know you better through your writing until we meet next!
Jeanette, this is a great BlogHer Food re-cap. I did not go to that farmer's market, but it looks like it was fun. I loved connecting with you in person. next time we must catch up way more. Awesome that Grace has that book coming out 🙂
Thanks Marla – it was so nice chatting with you – yes, next time, would be great to catch up more. I am thrilled for Grace – she is a beautiful person inside and out!
It was so great to meet you as well! I did not know anyone but was not nervous at all after I met you all! Hope to see you again soon!
Ilke, it was really nice meeting you and hanging out with you in Atlanta. You are such a sweet person!
Jeannette – what a great description of the event! I loved it! And love your photos too. Meeting you was definitely a highlight for the meeting for me! So glad we're stumble friends!
Hi Jeanette, it was great to meet you and talk to you for the few minutes we got to talk. I had a lot of fun meeting bloggers I have followed for a while. I hope to see you at another event and get to talk more. 🙂
Next year, I should make a point to attend. I think more than the event offerings, it's seeing other bloggers face-to-face that's so fun. Sounds like you had a lovely time. That farmer's market looks wonderful!