Hello Readers,
I have moved to wordpress. Join me at www.franticfoodie.com, Please update your links.
thanks
Keren
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Train Cakes and Automobiles
It was his first lick of frosting, ever!
I love party sandwiches but wanted something a little different and healthy since I knew the babies would be eating too.
It really was about him. I don't care what anyone says about first birthdays being all about the parents. Come on. When do babies get to shake parachutes, play with bubbles and shove frosting in their face? Yes, on their first birthday.
The cake was a train. He celebrated with two of his buddies so I figured that a train would be something that all the little boys would agree on.
I got the instructions from Betty Crocker. I had to adapt the decorations a bit since the babies were very young and I didn't want any tiny candies for babies to choke on. I also used India Tree natural food coloring which I found on Chef Shop.Com .I went to pick them up since they are located in Seattle. They also have other hard to find spices and imported food products.
I tried to limit the use of artificial flavors except for the licorice, jujubes and mini Oreo cookie wheels.
I love party sandwiches but wanted something a little different and healthy since I knew the babies would be eating too.I made three different spreads for the sandwiches the night before. This morning I went to Macrina to pick up 6 loaves of bread and I assembled the sandwiches.
The three types:
Tahini-eggplant yogurt sandwiches with roasted peppers
Cilantro-basil pesto with goat cheese
Olive tapenade with mozzarella and arugula
Olive tapenade with mozzarella and arugula
I will leave you with the recipe for the tahini-eggplant sandwiches. It was a hit with the babies and parents. Yogurt adds a special creaminess to this Baba Ganoush.
I used ciabatta but you can use any bread.
The tahini spread recipe is from a Hebrew Cookbook called " The Healthy Kitchen" . "The Healthy Kitchen" is a compilation of recipes from "On the Table" which is a Hebrew food magazine.
Ingredients:
Ciabatta
roasted peppers in a jar
Recipe for spread:
1 eggplant
2 tablespoons of tahini
1-2 cloves of garlic
6 tablespoons of yogurt (I used low-fat)
juice of half a lemon
salt
1. Roast Eggplant (I poked holes in it and put it in oven at 450 for one hour)
2. Scoop out eggplant and mix well with all the other ingredients. Season with salt.
This spread can be kept in the fridge for up to one week.
3. Spread on Ciabetta with roasted peppers.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Webinar with Lou Manna
Highly acclaimed food photographer and Olympus Digital Visionary Photographer, Lou Manna will share his digital secrets for capturing mouth-watering images in a intensive 7 hour workshop in Coral Gables, Florida on Saturday, November 21 from 10 AM to 5 PM eastern time.
Can’t attend in person? The entire workshop will also be streamed live on the internet and continuously available for repeat viewing after the event.
This comprehensive workshop will guide you through the art of food photography, including lighting, styling, composing and propping techniques plus professional secrets that will make your work distinctive.
You will learn about: SETTING UP THE PHOTO: Lou will conduct a live photo session in the afternoon with the Executive Chef from the Biltmore Hotel, allowing the participants to have an inside look at his method for shooting food!
LIGHTING: Understanding the different lighting set-ups for shooting food on location vs. the studio. Lou will also demonstrate a variety of lights, reflectors and mirrors to help you create memorable and delectable photographs
PHOTO ANALYSIS: Throughout the workshop the day’s images will be viewed on a huge screen in the auditorium and online in the webinar for instant feedback and instruction.
MASTERING YOUR CAMERA: Participants are encouraged to bring their cameras and instruction manuals for lots of tips on appropriate settings for improving your photography.
HANDS ON TIPS: Lou will reveal his personal techniques, approaches and special tricks for photographing different types of foods.
BONUS RAFFLE: Two Olympus Stylus TOUGH Series camera will be raffled off. One to a lucky winner who attends in person and one to a lucky winner who is logged onto the webinar.
Registration Details:
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009 Time: 10 AM to 5 PM eastern time
Place: Merrick Auditorium at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables, Florida
Cost: $149 with lunch included and access to the webinar after the event
Webinar: $79 with the ability to view it anytime after the event
Register: http://www.digitalfoodphotography.com/
Or Call: 212 727-2505 by November 18, 2009
Can’t attend in person? The entire workshop will also be streamed live on the internet and continuously available for repeat viewing after the event.
This comprehensive workshop will guide you through the art of food photography, including lighting, styling, composing and propping techniques plus professional secrets that will make your work distinctive.
You will learn about: SETTING UP THE PHOTO: Lou will conduct a live photo session in the afternoon with the Executive Chef from the Biltmore Hotel, allowing the participants to have an inside look at his method for shooting food!
LIGHTING: Understanding the different lighting set-ups for shooting food on location vs. the studio. Lou will also demonstrate a variety of lights, reflectors and mirrors to help you create memorable and delectable photographs
PHOTO ANALYSIS: Throughout the workshop the day’s images will be viewed on a huge screen in the auditorium and online in the webinar for instant feedback and instruction.
MASTERING YOUR CAMERA: Participants are encouraged to bring their cameras and instruction manuals for lots of tips on appropriate settings for improving your photography.
HANDS ON TIPS: Lou will reveal his personal techniques, approaches and special tricks for photographing different types of foods.
BONUS RAFFLE: Two Olympus Stylus TOUGH Series camera will be raffled off. One to a lucky winner who attends in person and one to a lucky winner who is logged onto the webinar.
Registration Details:
Date: Saturday, November 21, 2009 Time: 10 AM to 5 PM eastern time
Place: Merrick Auditorium at the Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables, Florida
Cost: $149 with lunch included and access to the webinar after the event
Webinar: $79 with the ability to view it anytime after the event
Register: http://www.digitalfoodphotography.com/
Monday, November 9, 2009
A Year Has Gone By, Seriously?
My son is turning one next week. It was just a year ago when I started saying the word "son" and it sounded funny. It's kind of like when you first get married and you say "my husband". It sounds so awkward. It feels like you are playing grown-up. The fact that I have "a son" baffles me. The fact that
he is turning one, woah la! that just downright scares me.
The way I look at food has changed.
My dear friend Rachel gave me this bagel book and wrapped it in bacon wrapping paper. This is me,
the night before I gave birth. Bagel in Bacon, not an oxymoron at all, that is how Rachel sees things. Here is her blog Jewshi (a Jew in Japan).I will begin by saying (actually screaming) and happy dancing at the same time " I can't believe I nursed for a whole year". This is one of my biggest accomplishments this year. For some, nursing comes naturally and for many, well, it's like pulling teeth.
Nursing is the deep dark secret of motherhood. It's hard. The reasons are endless. Some babies don't latch on. Their mouths are too small. Some babies get nipple confusion (sounds sick huh?).
I won't go into detail with what happened with us. It's just not that interesting.
I will just say that I found it exhausting and decided that I would take it one day at time. So I did. Here I am. I crossed the finished line. One year was my goal, now I need to decide if I am ready to move on.
Here is a little more about my experience with nursing,
My way of cooking has changed this year. I used to be such a snob. I would never ever buy anything I could make. From the croutons to the bread. I could do it all. Now I understand one thing. You do what you have to do to avoid having crackers for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And now even more, my little one eats everything that I do. And every calorie counts.
We are trying to make the right decisions. We know kids who are deprived of sweets are the first to raid the cupboards at friend's houses. We know that white bread has no nutrional value. We know that if a baby doesn't know what sugar tastes like, he won't know to ask for it. We know that rewarding a child with food is self-destructive. Now what? Choices. Choices.
Here are some of the things that we did for the first year. I don't know if they are rules but more like things we believe in
1. No juice
2. No TV, not even Baby Einstein Videos ( Did you know that Disney wil refund your money if you bought them?)
3. No cookies, cakes or other sugary snacks. (I can count on one hand , the times that we broke this rule)
4. Baby eats on his own when possible, no matter how messy the floor looks. He feeds himself.
5. We never bought baby cereal. It was just a waste of money. We crushed our regular cereal and he ate it that way.
I am sorry to dissapoint all my foodie friends but as much as I let my baby taste most of what I eat, I tried to keep it super healthy. Why ruin the one perfectly white tooth he has (yes, just one)?
Now I need to re-evelauate. His first birthday is coming. He will eat cake. It will probably be colorful and full of frosting. I want him to experience all the foods that we eat. I don't want to deprive him of the joy of food. I also don't want him to fill his tummy with junk.
I am curious to know. What are your rules? Do you offer dessert? How much is too much?
Friday, October 23, 2009
Seattle Food Blogger Events and More
photo by Ronald Holden
This month I met two inspiring authors. I had a private Seattle Food Blogger event with Langdon Cook, Author of Fat of the Land. We met for coffee at Bustle in the cute little private area. He charmed us with his stories of foraging, showed us some stunning pictures of his adventures and answered every question that came to our mind. He is a great guy; genuine, smart and motivating. Check out Cornichon's post and the picture he took above.
I met Julia Usher, Author of Cookie Swap. I organized another Seattle Food Blogger Event, this time at the Sur La Table in the new Bravern. They set up a cute little area for us and Julia gave us tips on how to get published and on how she got her idea to start her book. It was so inspiring to connect with her and look at all she has done. Julia will be in town for the next week, doing events just about everywhere. With the holidays coming up, it is your chance to learn how to organize a cookie swap and make cookies that will leave your guests drooling. Here is her schedule.
I attended an event demo and dinner for the new Sous Vide Supreme. I was invited to try all different foods in this machine with Chef Heston Bluementhal of Fat Duck. My favorite food Sous-Vide was the salmon.
The texture was so soft. The chiken had a texture that was a little different than what I am used to but I definitely liked that it was almost as soft and moist as the salmon. You can order this on the website or at Sur la Table. Hope to see you at Foodportunity. I probably won't have too much time to write because I am busy getting all the last minute details together.
Rebekah Denn is having a giveaway on her blog.
Not many tickets left so if you plan on coming, get them soon. The authors of Artisan Bread in 5 minutes a day, Jeff Hertzberg MD and Zoe Francois will be in town and Jeff is coming to Foodportunity. Come meet him.
Check out my post in My Northwest.com for this week's upcoming food events.
Happy Friday
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Foodportunity November 2nd
Hey Everyone,
Here is the press release from my next event. It's a really great way to connect with the foodie world.
Tickets are selling fast!
Second “Foodportunity” to Showcase
Local Culinary Success Stories
A new networking event to connect
Seattle's vibrant food community
For Immediate Release:
SEATTLE, WA- September 28, 2009: The second “Foodportunity,” a series of networking events for Seattle food professionals, will take place on November 2nd, 2009, from 6 to 9 PM at Tom Douglas's Palace Ballroom.
Attendees are expected to include local food writers, bloggers, restaurateurs, food producers, PR professionals and other companies from the food and hospitality industry.
Following the sold-out success of the first Foodportunity in July, Seattle event planner and food blogger Keren Brown has invited three particularly successful restaurant entrepreneurs to tell their stories and give tips for succeeding in Seattle's culinary world.
The evening will begin promptly at 6 PM with presentations by the panel:
• Thierry Rautureau (proprietor of Rover's and the soon-to-open Luc, author of "The Chef in the Hat" cookbook)
• Ethan Stowell (with four restaurants— How to Cook a Wolf , Anchovies & Olives, Tavolata and Union)
• Kurt Dammeier (Beecher's Cheese, Maximus Minimus, Pasta & Co, Bennett's Pure Food Bistro and a cookbook, "Pure Flavor".
An audience Q&A session will be moderated by Mina Williams, editor of the online restaurant industry magazine NorthwestStir.com.
Following the panel presentation, Foodportunity participants will enjoy appetizers from several of Seattle's most talked about restaurants, contact with food companies, and, for the first 40 to send email to info@foodportunity.com , a “speed networking” session. "Speed networking is the best way to meet 20 people in 20 minutes," Brown says.
Tom Douglas, awarded National Restaurant of the Year by Bon Appetit magazine and a national James Beard nominee for Restaurateur of the Year, will provide his Palace Ballroom facilities to host the event and serve appetizers along with other local restaurant favorites. Seven additional participating restaurants are: Rover's, Ethan Stowell Restaurants, La Spiga, Lunchbox Laboratory, Joule, Campagne Restaurant and Beecher's Cheese. DiStefano winery will pour its wines, and a wide range of food products from local sponsors will be on display.
Foodportunity is open to food journalists, bloggers, public relations professionals, restaurateurs, farmers and all food-passionate people. Admission is $25 (plus tax and booking fees; $30 after October 7th) which includes bites and a glass of wine. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/84687
Palace Ballroom is located at 2100 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. More information is available online at Foodportunity.com.
About Keren Brown, aka Frantic Foodie, is the founder of the highly popular networking event known as Foodportunity. She also organizes monthly events for Seattle food bloggers, creating lasting contacts and connections. Keren's food events information can be found at Frantic Foodie in the Seattle P-I , FranticFoodie.com and on the events page of MyNorthwest.com
Schedule For Foodportunity
6:00 - 6:45: Panel Discussion and Q & A with Seattle's influential food entrepeneurs
Moderator: Mina Williams, editor of Northwest Stir, Industry news of the Northwest for culinary professionals
Panelists:
Thierry Rautureau (proprietor of Rover's and the soon-to-open Luc, author of "The Chef in the Hat" cookbook)
Ethan Stowell (with four restaurants— How to Cook a Wolf , Anchovies & Olives, Tavolata and Union)
Kurt Dammeier (Beecher's Cheese, Maximus Minimus, Pasta & Co, Bennett's Pure Food Bistro and a cookbook, "Pure Flavor"
6:45 - 9:00: Networking time and bites from restaurants and companies
8:30 - 9:00: (Optional) Speed Networking session
Here is the press release from my next event. It's a really great way to connect with the foodie world.
Tickets are selling fast!
Second “Foodportunity” to Showcase
Local Culinary Success Stories
A new networking event to connect
Seattle's vibrant food community
For Immediate Release:
SEATTLE, WA- September 28, 2009: The second “Foodportunity,” a series of networking events for Seattle food professionals, will take place on November 2nd, 2009, from 6 to 9 PM at Tom Douglas's Palace Ballroom.
Attendees are expected to include local food writers, bloggers, restaurateurs, food producers, PR professionals and other companies from the food and hospitality industry.
Following the sold-out success of the first Foodportunity in July, Seattle event planner and food blogger Keren Brown has invited three particularly successful restaurant entrepreneurs to tell their stories and give tips for succeeding in Seattle's culinary world.
The evening will begin promptly at 6 PM with presentations by the panel:
• Thierry Rautureau (proprietor of Rover's and the soon-to-open Luc, author of "The Chef in the Hat" cookbook)
• Ethan Stowell (with four restaurants— How to Cook a Wolf , Anchovies & Olives, Tavolata and Union)
• Kurt Dammeier (Beecher's Cheese, Maximus Minimus, Pasta & Co, Bennett's Pure Food Bistro and a cookbook, "Pure Flavor".
An audience Q&A session will be moderated by Mina Williams, editor of the online restaurant industry magazine NorthwestStir.com.
Following the panel presentation, Foodportunity participants will enjoy appetizers from several of Seattle's most talked about restaurants, contact with food companies, and, for the first 40 to send email to info@foodportunity.com , a “speed networking” session. "Speed networking is the best way to meet 20 people in 20 minutes," Brown says.
Tom Douglas, awarded National Restaurant of the Year by Bon Appetit magazine and a national James Beard nominee for Restaurateur of the Year, will provide his Palace Ballroom facilities to host the event and serve appetizers along with other local restaurant favorites. Seven additional participating restaurants are: Rover's, Ethan Stowell Restaurants, La Spiga, Lunchbox Laboratory, Joule, Campagne Restaurant and Beecher's Cheese. DiStefano winery will pour its wines, and a wide range of food products from local sponsors will be on display.
Foodportunity is open to food journalists, bloggers, public relations professionals, restaurateurs, farmers and all food-passionate people. Admission is $25 (plus tax and booking fees; $30 after October 7th) which includes bites and a glass of wine. Tickets available through Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/84687
Palace Ballroom is located at 2100 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. More information is available online at Foodportunity.com.
About Keren Brown, aka Frantic Foodie, is the founder of the highly popular networking event known as Foodportunity. She also organizes monthly events for Seattle food bloggers, creating lasting contacts and connections. Keren's food events information can be found at Frantic Foodie in the Seattle P-I , FranticFoodie.com and on the events page of MyNorthwest.com
Schedule For Foodportunity
6:00 - 6:45: Panel Discussion and Q & A with Seattle's influential food entrepeneurs
Moderator: Mina Williams, editor of Northwest Stir, Industry news of the Northwest for culinary professionals
Panelists:
Thierry Rautureau (proprietor of Rover's and the soon-to-open Luc, author of "The Chef in the Hat" cookbook)
Ethan Stowell (with four restaurants— How to Cook a Wolf , Anchovies & Olives, Tavolata and Union)
Kurt Dammeier (Beecher's Cheese, Maximus Minimus, Pasta & Co, Bennett's Pure Food Bistro and a cookbook, "Pure Flavor"
6:45 - 9:00: Networking time and bites from restaurants and companies
8:30 - 9:00: (Optional) Speed Networking session
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
FoodSnap, Lou Manna and More
Sometimes life just swirls by you. It happens when you wait for something for so long and then it just comes and goes. It passes by so quickly that it kind of tiptoes past you and you don't realize it's gone until it's way too far ahead.
Lou Manna left Seattle on Sunday, I took a cruise to Victoria, relaxed for a week, spent hours in the Jacuzzi, grazed on healthy vegetables and unlimited protein (my idea of foodie heaven) and just jumped back into the working/mom/wife/foodie/ life.
FoodSnap came and went. FoodSnap was an event that I put together with Foodista.com.
Here is the picture of us above (myself in the turquoise shirt, Lou in black and the entire Foodista family).
I had a great time learning from Lou and tasting all the food and displays. We had some amazing people help out . Lara Ferroni along with a long list of talented photographers and stylists.
Chef Wayne of Andaluca provided lunch. Some really interesting local companies provided samples and sets to be photographed. There is a whole contest around it on Flickr. If you go to Flickr and search groups for Foodsnap. There is a list of companies and photos that people uploaded. Check out the pics and tell me what you think.
I would like to thank Siiri Sampson and Mari Osana (Bitter Buiscuit on twitter) for assisting me and helping me out with my event. I feel truly blessed to have met such great people.
Thank you Elise from Simply Recipes for flying in to Seattle. If for some reason, you don't know her website, check it out. Elise has been featured in Time Magazine, Redbook and basically anywhere else where top websites are mentioned.
Thank you to all the bloggers, companies and foodies who attended the event.
The next day we had lunch at Rover's, in which we had a special 2 hour restaurant photography session.
The food at Rover's is a masterpiece.
We then went to watch Lou photograph at Olivar and snacked on tapas with Chef Philippe. I am addicted to the albondigas. If you haven't been there, you have to try the place.
Then we continued to Andaluca which is located in the Mayflower Park Hotel where Lou was staying. Chef Wayne cooked up the entire menu so Lou could photograph it. I did my job as a taster and tasted the entire menu. I love Wayne's food and his personal touch.
The next day Lou taught a class at the Pike Place Market and then later joined me and some friends for some shmoozing at the Urban Picnic, another great event by Chef's Collaborative. The event had a nice list of restaurants and local celebrity Robin Leventhal from Top Chef was cooking. Urban Picnic was a wonderful way to end Lou's trip to Seattle, with lots of nice people, live music and a relaxed warm Seattle foodie atmosphere.
Lou really had a great time in Seattle and got to meet many from Seattle's food community, he dined at all the restaurants above as well as the incredible Canlis and left Seattle with a whole network of Seattle foodie friends.
Lou we miss you, come back! We need your New York charm and flavor!
Lou Manna left Seattle on Sunday, I took a cruise to Victoria, relaxed for a week, spent hours in the Jacuzzi, grazed on healthy vegetables and unlimited protein (my idea of foodie heaven) and just jumped back into the working/mom/wife/foodie/ life.
FoodSnap came and went. FoodSnap was an event that I put together with Foodista.com.
Here is the picture of us above (myself in the turquoise shirt, Lou in black and the entire Foodista family).
I had a great time learning from Lou and tasting all the food and displays. We had some amazing people help out . Lara Ferroni along with a long list of talented photographers and stylists.
I would like to thank Siiri Sampson and Mari Osana (Bitter Buiscuit on twitter) for assisting me and helping me out with my event. I feel truly blessed to have met such great people.
Thank you Elise from Simply Recipes for flying in to Seattle. If for some reason, you don't know her website, check it out. Elise has been featured in Time Magazine, Redbook and basically anywhere else where top websites are mentioned.
Thank you to all the bloggers, companies and foodies who attended the event.
The next day we had lunch at Rover's, in which we had a special 2 hour restaurant photography session.
The food at Rover's is a masterpiece.
We then went to watch Lou photograph at Olivar and snacked on tapas with Chef Philippe. I am addicted to the albondigas. If you haven't been there, you have to try the place.
Then we continued to Andaluca which is located in the Mayflower Park Hotel where Lou was staying. Chef Wayne cooked up the entire menu so Lou could photograph it. I did my job as a taster and tasted the entire menu. I love Wayne's food and his personal touch.
The next day Lou taught a class at the Pike Place Market and then later joined me and some friends for some shmoozing at the Urban Picnic, another great event by Chef's Collaborative. The event had a nice list of restaurants and local celebrity Robin Leventhal from Top Chef was cooking. Urban Picnic was a wonderful way to end Lou's trip to Seattle, with lots of nice people, live music and a relaxed warm Seattle foodie atmosphere.
Lou really had a great time in Seattle and got to meet many from Seattle's food community, he dined at all the restaurants above as well as the incredible Canlis and left Seattle with a whole network of Seattle foodie friends.
Lou we miss you, come back! We need your New York charm and flavor!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Flavor Bible Event, A Sweet Flavorful Memory
I really liked meeting Karen and Andrew, it felt so comfortable and natural to grill them with questions. They, instead of waiting for us to ask questions, they wanted to ask us first. They really cared about us.
What are your blogs about? How long have you been writing?
They asked in the most sincere way possible. Sometimes when I think back to an important moment in my blog life (a year of blogging is like 10 in real life) blog years are like dog years, I remember how inspired I felt at this morning coffee meet up.
What happens when you start to blog?
Your brain learns to work really hard to turn moments into posts and you never have a free minute again. Every minute is muse for inspiration.
Meeting them was when I decided to push harder (I was 8 months pregnant but I wasn't ready to push just yet). I absorbed inspiration that would give me a little insight on where I wanted to go in life. I can go on with this story forever. I will just say that one year has passed and they are celebrating "The Flavor Bible" 1 year anniversary!
I will leave you with the post I wrote back then. One year ago,
Saturday some of Seattle food bloggers got together to meet up with Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, the award winning authors of "Culinary Artistry", "What to Drink with What You Eat" and the " The Flavor Bible".
The bloggers were Ronald of Cornichon, Michael of Herbivoracious, Mark of Plate Lunch, Jake of Daily Munch (which I write for too) and Traca of Seattle Tall Poppy.
We met at the Muse Coffee Company, which is wonderful little cafe located in Queen Anne. The kind of place where you can work on your computer (free wifi), grab a coffee and admire the art on the walls. The name really suits the place because you can't leave that place without finding your muse.
"The Flavor Bible" is nothing less than a must-have in every creative cook's household.
No, it's not a recipe book, it's a reference book that gives you lists of which foods harmonize well together.
How does it work?
You look up the ingredient that you want to use and then read down the list of foods that pair well with this ingredient. For example: Pineapple has many ingredients on the list such as bananas, brandy, avocado (surprising), black pepper and so many more. There is also a list of flavor affinities...pineapple+ avocado+ watercress, pineapple+ coconut+ honey+ ginger and other combinations that just give you an oomph of motivation.
All the information in the book was obtained by interviewing famous chefs (Andrew is a chef himself as well) and throughout the book there are tips from these chefs and interesting dishes that these chefs make. Since I got the book, I have been carrying it around the house and playing "guess that ingredient" with my husband. He says an ingredient, we look it up and we see who can guess more combinations.
Karen and Andrew were so honest, open and genuine. Leaving each of us with the motivation to keep writing, pushing and cooking. True proof that if you work hard enough, your dreams will come true. I apologize for the sappy ending but there really is no other way to put it.
Thanks Karen and Andrew!
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Saving the Last Two Chapters of A Homemade Life
A week ago, I admitted it on Twitter, I didn't want to read Molly from Orangette's book "A Homemade Life" until I was really ready to relax and give it my full attention because I knew I would love it. I was saving it for a day when I really wanted to read a good book. I was saving it for a rainy day.
Yesterday the rain started.I have a little story for you about how things change and how people grow.
You see when I first moved to Seattle, I was very lonely. Not for very long, but lonely.
I started my blog and read blogs and back then (almost 3 years ago) there weren't that many blogs. Of course I fell in love with Molly's blog, like every other person in this world. Her wedding was around the same time that mine was. I felt connected to her. That's what blogs do. They make you feel like you know the person.
This is what I wrote her: (found this in my gmail)
Hi Molly,
I really enjoy your blog. I especially enjoy your writing style. I realized by your posts that you probably live in Seattle. I am from Seattle and am always looking for fellow foodies to munch with. I have two blogs. One of them is in the Seattle PI http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/franticfoodie/ and one is my own personal one http://savvysavorer.blogspot.com/ . Anyway I was thinking we should have a food blog meeting for some food bloggers in Seattle.
What do you think?I didn't get an answer. I was upset so I stopped reading her blog. Sometimes I used to sneak a peak but that was it.
Now it makes me laugh because since then I have put together a Seattle Food Blogger Event almost every month.
I know more than a hundred bloggers and many, many people in Seattle.
The thing is that Molly is really sweet, probably one of the sweetest people around. I only met her a couple times but every time she had this big smile and just a genuine attitude. I told her this story the last time I saw her and she apologized and she said she tries to answer most emails but she doesn't always get around to it. She probably missed this email with the hundreds of emails, she gets or she was just too busy to write back, or maybe she thought it was creepy to get an email like this.
I thought I would share this, actually I was debating if I should... But the moral of this story is a) a blog is only a fragment of someone's life, although you may feel like you know them, you know only a glimpse of them and you shouldn't expect to think you know them b) If your lonely, do something about it c) life is busy, sometimes people don't get back to you, even the sweetest, most genuine people don't respond.
Now back to the book. I was right. I got it yesterday and I almost finished the book. I have two chapters left. I am saving them. Saving them like when you save a cookie for when you really want it. I usually skip through books to get to recipes. In this book, I skipped the recipes to get to the stories. Not that the recipes aren't amazing, but I really didn't want to go into the kitchen, I wanted to relax for the first time in 9 months since my son was born.
I can just say that the book will blow you away, it will remind you to enjoy life, to enjoy what you eat, you will laugh, you may cry but most of all you will be inspired, to cook, write or just live life to the fullest.
Molly just opened a new pizza restaurant with her husband Brandon called Delancey. I haven't been yet but heard that the place is really great.
Update: A friend read this post and said that people might not get it. What I really meant to say is that, it's not always about you. Some people are busy and overwhelmed in life and you can't get back to every email. I sometimes miss an email. Especially when I really want to answer. I tag it because I want to think about my answer a little more and then don't get around to it. Now I am not saying I get tons of emails from readers but I do have a lot on my plate, with a business and a small baby at home. And sometimes people ask me to go for coffee and many times, I just can't. When you work at home, people think you can go out for coffee anytime of the day but it's not really like that. You still need to be working when other people are working. You need to make phone calls when other people can answer. Life is busy.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Urban Picnic on September 20th 1-4 pm
What's a better way to spend a Sunday then at a picnic on a rooftop with Seattle chefs and food people?
Urban Picnic is presented in partnership with Slow Food Seattle, Seattle CityClub and Caffe Vita.
Food, wine, beer, live music and more.
Tickets:
$89 for Chefs Collaborative and Slow Food members
$99 general
Free for kids under 10!
Tickets available at:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/78664http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/78664
Sunday means free street parking but the buses are easy too. And don’t forget Light Rail!
Be Green! Please bring your own plates, utensils and napkins. Glassware provided. Entrance is up the stairs across from 5th Avenue Theater.
Participating restaurants include:
Lark
Canlis
Oliver’s Twist
Elliott Bay Café
Art of the Table
TASTE Restaurant
Tilikum Place Café
Willows Inn (Riley Starks)
emmer&rye (Chef Seth Caswell)
Chef Kären Jurgensen, Quillisascut Farm
Gelato from Poco Carretto (Chef Holly Smith)
And special guest chef, Robin Leventhal of Top Chef Las Vegas - Season 6
Urban Picnic is presented in partnership with Slow Food Seattle, Seattle CityClub and Caffe Vita.
Food, wine, beer, live music and more.
Tickets:
$89 for Chefs Collaborative and Slow Food members
$99 general
Free for kids under 10!
Tickets available at:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/78664http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/78664
Sunday means free street parking but the buses are easy too. And don’t forget Light Rail!
Be Green! Please bring your own plates, utensils and napkins. Glassware provided. Entrance is up the stairs across from 5th Avenue Theater.
Participating restaurants include:
Lark
Canlis
Oliver’s Twist
Elliott Bay Café
Art of the Table
TASTE Restaurant
Tilikum Place Café
Willows Inn (Riley Starks)
emmer&rye (Chef Seth Caswell)
Chef Kären Jurgensen, Quillisascut Farm
Gelato from Poco Carretto (Chef Holly Smith)
And special guest chef, Robin Leventhal of Top Chef Las Vegas - Season 6
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Giveaway Winner and FoodSnap Photography Workshop
Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to tell you about Foodsnap. Okay bloggers, if you are serious about blogging then you have to be here. We all know that many bloggers, do not know how to take pictures. Come on, you know who you are. I am one of them. I admit it. With so many blogs these days, blogging has gotten competitive. Sometimes it's not really about competition but time, so many blogs so little time. Pictures help a lot. So that is why I am putting on this event with Foodista. For two main reasons:
A) I really need some help with my pics and while searching online did not find many resources for this.
B) I love Lou Manna's work, after researching many photographers, we decided that we have to fly him to Seattle from New York because he is not only an incredible food photographer but a super charismatic teacher.
This event list is full of serious bloggers. Elise from Simply Recipes is flying in. Nancy Leson from the Seattle Times is there. There is a list on the website, if you bought a ticket and want your blog added, please let me know.
Buy Tickets Here
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Keren Brown Media and Foodista Present
FoodSnap!
SEATTLE, WA—(August 31, 2009)- Seattle's first of it's kind all-day workshop for food photography, titled FoodSnap! will take place September 18th at the historic Georgetown Studios (inside the former Rainier Brewery) at 5890 Airport Way S.
The event, organized by Keren Brown Media and Foodista.com, will feature New York food photographer Lou Manna, (http://www.LouTheMan.com), the Olympus Visionary and New York Times photojournalist, commercial photographer, educator and author of Digital Food Photography. Lou is an associate professor at the School of Visual Arts in New York and a consultant in the Food Studies Program at New York University. He also teaches digital food photography workshops in his studio, and accepts students for private, hands-on classes.
Lou will lead the workshop with the assistance of food photographer and blogger Lara Ferroni (http://www.platesandpacks.com) as well as Seattle's photographers and stylists, Rina Jordan (http://www.rinajordanphotography.com), Barry Wong
http://www.barrywongphoto.com/, Charity Burggraaf http://charitylynne.com/http://www.charitylynne.com/ and others.
The location, known as Georgetown Studios, is an ideal venue for photography and is often rented for commercials and advertising shoots. It is owned by Kathryn Barnard (http://www.kathrynbarnardphoto.com), a professional photographer whose work has been featured in top publications such as Seattle Magazine, NW Home and Garden,
Ladies Home Journal and more.
FoodSnap! is open to anyone interested in food photography. The target audience of FoodSnap! is food bloggers, food-related social media, food companies and food photographers. Cost is $159 which includes all fees for registration before September 4st. (Price will be $180 thereafter.) Attendance is limited to 75 participants.
Tickets can be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/78774
The sponsors, whose products will be used in the displays to be photographed, include Emily's Chocolates, Frost Doughnuts, Fooducopia, Wink Cupcakes, Red Ticking and Bluebird Grain Farms.
Kathy Casey will be serving a Foodsnap Gelee signature cocktail that will be used as photo inspiration as well.
The organizers will host a photography contest immediately after the event, providing participants with the incentive to upload pictures taken at the event and further enhancing the visibility of the photos and food products.
Please check website periodically for details on contest and where to upload pictures to be reviewed.
The Mayflower Hotel is offering a special rate for out-of-town participants, $139 plus tax for a classic guest room.
SCHEDULE for FoodSnap
No Experience Required
http://www.foodista.com/foodsnap
Georgetown Studios
5890 Airport Way S.
Hours: 10am – 5pm
MORNING
Lou Manna will review and critique each participant's food blog or photographs. He will show his own blog, http://www.digitalfoodphotos.com/blog , and social network site http://www.digitalFoodPhotography.ning.com .
Following that he will use a Power Point presentation to provide an overview of the basics of digital food photography and tricks of the trade. He will review the different features found on most digital cameras, highlighting how they can be used correctly to photograph in any situation.
LUNCH BREAK- lunch will be provided
AFTERNOON
The afternoon will be dedicated to hands-on practice.
Groups of participants will have the opportunity to try their hand at food photography with the help of Lou Manna and Washington State’s own food photographers and stylists.
Lou will demonstrate how to work with each specific light source, how to use mirrors, diffusers and small white cards to create mouth-watering photographs with a simple point and shoot camera.
Participants will utilize new skills learned in the workshop to shoot each set up while Lou and his associates offer individual guidance to optimize each participant’s photographic techniques.
About Lou Manna
Lou Manna is an award winning New York photographer and educator. After shooting for the New York Times for 15 years, he established his own Fifth Avenue studio, where he works with corporate, advertising and public relations clients. His work has appeared in major magazines, national ad campaigns, and more than forty books.
“He has a sense of style, color and composition with an inherent understanding of how to create a beautiful image.” “The ability to make food sparkle like a jewel with his lighting is Lou’s forte.”
Lou recently published his first book, Digital Food Photography, which is to date the only book on the art of food photography devoted exclusively to digital technology
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Food-Photography-Lou-Manna/dp/1592008208
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS
Keren Brown Media
Keren (also known as “Frantic Foodie”) has been organizing the Seattle Food Blogger Events for the last two years, a series of monthly meet-ups that help bloggers create lasting contacts and connections. Keren is the founder of Foodportunity, food networking events that connect members of Seattle's vibrant food community: chefs, food writers, food bloggers, purveyors and more. Details at http://www.foodportunity.com. Information about Keren's food events can also be found online at Frantic Foodie at SeattlePI.com, FranticFoodie.com and at MyNorthwest.com
Foodista
Foodista (http://www.foodista.com) is a collaborative project to build the world's largest, highest quality cooking encyclopedia. With http://www.foodista.com/recipe/new user contributions, Foodista is creating a free resource to help millions of people learn “how to cook everything and anything.” Launched in 2008 by a group of Amazon.com veterans, the site features thousands of recipes and articles about foods, cooking techniques, and kitchen tools. Foodista organized the first International Food Blogger Conference in May of 2009, http://ifbc.foodista.com.
Just wanted to tell you about Foodsnap. Okay bloggers, if you are serious about blogging then you have to be here. We all know that many bloggers, do not know how to take pictures. Come on, you know who you are. I am one of them. I admit it. With so many blogs these days, blogging has gotten competitive. Sometimes it's not really about competition but time, so many blogs so little time. Pictures help a lot. So that is why I am putting on this event with Foodista. For two main reasons:
A) I really need some help with my pics and while searching online did not find many resources for this.
B) I love Lou Manna's work, after researching many photographers, we decided that we have to fly him to Seattle from New York because he is not only an incredible food photographer but a super charismatic teacher.
This event list is full of serious bloggers. Elise from Simply Recipes is flying in. Nancy Leson from the Seattle Times is there. There is a list on the website, if you bought a ticket and want your blog added, please let me know.
Photo by Lou Manna
So I will leave you with the press release and the winner of my last contest, the winner is Chris! You win a basket of OXO products. Thank you for all the interesting comments and I have to agree with many of you. The microplane is a genius idea.Buy Tickets Here
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Keren Brown Media and Foodista Present
FoodSnap!
SEATTLE, WA—(August 31, 2009)- Seattle's first of it's kind all-day workshop for food photography, titled FoodSnap! will take place September 18th at the historic Georgetown Studios (inside the former Rainier Brewery) at 5890 Airport Way S.
The event, organized by Keren Brown Media and Foodista.com, will feature New York food photographer Lou Manna, (http://www.LouTheMan.com), the Olympus Visionary and New York Times photojournalist, commercial photographer, educator and author of Digital Food Photography. Lou is an associate professor at the School of Visual Arts in New York and a consultant in the Food Studies Program at New York University. He also teaches digital food photography workshops in his studio, and accepts students for private, hands-on classes.
Lou will lead the workshop with the assistance of food photographer and blogger Lara Ferroni (http://www.platesandpacks.com) as well as Seattle's photographers and stylists, Rina Jordan (http://www.rinajordanphotography.com), Barry Wong
http://www.barrywongphoto.com/, Charity Burggraaf http://charitylynne.com/http://www.charitylynne.com/ and others.
The location, known as Georgetown Studios, is an ideal venue for photography and is often rented for commercials and advertising shoots. It is owned by Kathryn Barnard (http://www.kathrynbarnardphoto.com), a professional photographer whose work has been featured in top publications such as Seattle Magazine, NW Home and Garden,
Ladies Home Journal and more.
FoodSnap! is open to anyone interested in food photography. The target audience of FoodSnap! is food bloggers, food-related social media, food companies and food photographers. Cost is $159 which includes all fees for registration before September 4st. (Price will be $180 thereafter.) Attendance is limited to 75 participants.
Tickets can be purchased at Brown Paper Tickets http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/78774
The sponsors, whose products will be used in the displays to be photographed, include Emily's Chocolates, Frost Doughnuts, Fooducopia, Wink Cupcakes, Red Ticking and Bluebird Grain Farms.
Kathy Casey will be serving a Foodsnap Gelee signature cocktail that will be used as photo inspiration as well.
The organizers will host a photography contest immediately after the event, providing participants with the incentive to upload pictures taken at the event and further enhancing the visibility of the photos and food products.
Please check website periodically for details on contest and where to upload pictures to be reviewed.
The Mayflower Hotel is offering a special rate for out-of-town participants, $139 plus tax for a classic guest room.
SCHEDULE for FoodSnap
No Experience Required
http://www.foodista.com/foodsnap
Georgetown Studios
5890 Airport Way S.
Hours: 10am – 5pm
MORNING
Lou Manna will review and critique each participant's food blog or photographs. He will show his own blog, http://www.digitalfoodphotos.com/blog , and social network site http://www.digitalFoodPhotography.ning.com .
Following that he will use a Power Point presentation to provide an overview of the basics of digital food photography and tricks of the trade. He will review the different features found on most digital cameras, highlighting how they can be used correctly to photograph in any situation.
LUNCH BREAK- lunch will be provided
AFTERNOON
The afternoon will be dedicated to hands-on practice.
Groups of participants will have the opportunity to try their hand at food photography with the help of Lou Manna and Washington State’s own food photographers and stylists.
Lou will demonstrate how to work with each specific light source, how to use mirrors, diffusers and small white cards to create mouth-watering photographs with a simple point and shoot camera.
Participants will utilize new skills learned in the workshop to shoot each set up while Lou and his associates offer individual guidance to optimize each participant’s photographic techniques.
About Lou Manna
Lou Manna is an award winning New York photographer and educator. After shooting for the New York Times for 15 years, he established his own Fifth Avenue studio, where he works with corporate, advertising and public relations clients. His work has appeared in major magazines, national ad campaigns, and more than forty books.
“He has a sense of style, color and composition with an inherent understanding of how to create a beautiful image.” “The ability to make food sparkle like a jewel with his lighting is Lou’s forte.”
Lou recently published his first book, Digital Food Photography, which is to date the only book on the art of food photography devoted exclusively to digital technology
http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Food-Photography-Lou-Manna/dp/1592008208
ABOUT THE ORGANIZERS
Keren Brown Media
Keren (also known as “Frantic Foodie”) has been organizing the Seattle Food Blogger Events for the last two years, a series of monthly meet-ups that help bloggers create lasting contacts and connections. Keren is the founder of Foodportunity, food networking events that connect members of Seattle's vibrant food community: chefs, food writers, food bloggers, purveyors and more. Details at http://www.foodportunity.com. Information about Keren's food events can also be found online at Frantic Foodie at SeattlePI.com, FranticFoodie.com and at MyNorthwest.com
Foodista
Foodista (http://www.foodista.com) is a collaborative project to build the world's largest, highest quality cooking encyclopedia. With http://www.foodista.com/recipe/new user contributions, Foodista is creating a free resource to help millions of people learn “how to cook everything and anything.” Launched in 2008 by a group of Amazon.com veterans, the site features thousands of recipes and articles about foods, cooking techniques, and kitchen tools. Foodista organized the first International Food Blogger Conference in May of 2009, http://ifbc.foodista.com.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Cookbooks and Kitchen Giveaway
I get a lot of cookbooks. I won't lie. I am not going to apologize either. I spend hours and hours of my precious time writing about things I like on my blog. I am honest. There are cookbooks that I will never write about. There are cookbooks that are gathering dust, there are cookbooks that I will never open again. I will not waste my time writing about a cookbook that I don't like.
Leave a comment with the name of your favorite kitchen gadget and a little explanation. I will make sure you get this bowl of goodies. Limited to U.S.A only. Deadline is August 30th.
I do want to write about some cookbooks that I really like.
by Sasa Mahr-Batuz and Andy Goodbody.
I was skeptical about this book. Another Tapas Cookbook?
Not at all.
A cookbook that has a party menu already planned out for you. Perfect for people like me, who plan to make a million things and then realize how much work it really is. The Albondigas (meatballs) in this book are to die for. They have a secret ingredient, one that I refuse to tell my husband about.... The secret: anchovies. Before you tell me that you don't like anchovies, try this recipe!
Fields of Greens is the ultimate vegetarian cookbook. I am not a vegetarian but always looking for healthy grain recipes. I have been using recipes for this book for the last few years. When I asked blogger Dana from Dana Treat what her favorite cookbook was, she named this one.
Ready Steady Spaghetti is a kids cookbook. The unique part of this cookbook is that the recipes are not kiddie recipes. There are some simple recipes but many of them are actually recipes I use in my home for my husband and myself (the baby has no teeth yet).
Introducing your child to homemade gnocchi, pork and chive dumplings and fresh spring rolls is a great way to make sure he/she is open to different foods.
I admit that I have been using this cookbook to train myself to make quick dinners during these busy hectic days.
I even decided not to make a complicated birthday cake for my husband and chose the chocolate cake in this book. I strongly recommend this book if you are a mom and looking for ideas for cooking with kids.
And Now for the Giveaway...........
A bowl full of OXO products. Everything you need for the kitchen.
Cherry/olive pitters, a mixing bowl , spatulas, whisks and more. You all know what a difference a good spatula makes. I discovered this only in May when I got the goody bag from IFBC. Sur La Table gave away some amazing kitchen stuff including a Shun Knife.
I tossed all my cheap dollar store kitchen stuff and filled the drawers with high quality swag.
Leave a comment with the name of your favorite kitchen gadget and a little explanation. I will make sure you get this bowl of goodies. Limited to U.S.A only. Deadline is August 30th.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Multitasking, Blogs, Twitter and Mom Life
When people ask me what I do, I never know what to say. I think that I need to hold a card that lists all the things I do.
_ Founder and organizer of the Foodportunity events (next one coming soon)
- Founder and organizer of the Seattle Food Blogger events
- Co-founder of The Mommy List with Kim Ricketts
- Write a blog in the Seattle PI
- Write a weekly dining To Do list for MyNorthwest.com
- Currently working on the Canvolution, (save the dates, August 29-30, a weekend of canning events that will knock the lid off you)
Public relations and consulting for restaurants
- Avid Breast feeder and mom of a 9 month old baby boy
I have decided to put this down for all of you. Oh and there are a couple more projects that I can't really talk about yet.
The breastfeeding part sounds trivial but it is the most important job I have. It exhausts me and comforts me at the same time. Being a mom is the most important priority and sometimes I have to remind myself of this. I would quit every other job for my baby in a second. Watching my baby grow, wiggle his fingers to say bye bye and giggle when I kiss his thighs is my reminder that life is short (hey didn't I just give birth a few months ago).
The food world tears me into many directions, keeping up with twitter is another job I should add to the list. Should I be at every event? Should I be cupcake walking through the streets, should I be at every food related party in the world and making sure to taste every morsel of fruit that comes anywhere near the farmers markets? No! No! No!
I just feel like sometimes I need to take a step back and ask myself : Do I really want to talk about food right now? Yes, I am a food blogger, but I am also a mom, a wife, a yogi ( even if it's been a while) a friend and many other things.
Don't get me wrong , I have a love-hate relationship with twitter. Sometimes, I really am sick of reading tweets from people boasting about who they know, sometimes the food obsession is a little too overwhelming and sometimes I realize people are losing life's most precious moments (I am talking about you who tweets between every bite of a food). I am probably guilty of doing one of the above although I really try not to.
Sometimes twitter sweeps me off my feet, especially when I bought bottled salad dressing for the first time in 3 years, it was a liberating experience. We try to make most things from scratch at home but I decided that as a mom sometimes you have to let go.
I tweeted about it (felt guilty but still liberating) and tweeted " any chef want to make me salad dressing?" I got one response from Chef Becky of Chef Reinvented and a few days later, picked up a jar of pomegranate molasses vinaigrette that has brought me back to heavenly lettuce land. Now isn't this what twitter is about? Making friends, strengthening bonds and connecting the food community. Did I mention that twitter has been used to schedule play dates between friends such as Alice from Sweet Savory Life and Nurit of Family Friendly Food?
Want to know who to follow on twitter? Check out this article. I can't believe that I am on this list.
Anyway, I don't know what this post is really about but I really wanted to say to some of the people who I want to hang out with but can't, it's just timing.
I also wanted to say to all those moms out there, let go! You can't do everything!
I also wanted to write a post about me, I spend so much time writing about other people's events that I never get the time to sit down and use the blog as my own form of therapy.
End of post, whew I feel better!
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Foodportunity
When I moved to Seattle 3 years ago, I didn't know anyone.
Not one single person.
Tom Douglas brings in this pig and everyone goes wild.
The Chef in the Hat ( Thierry Rautureau of Rovers) multitasking.
Not one single person.
It was just me and my husband.
I was one of those people who would talk to people at the bus stop and make conversation with people on the street. I really wanted to meet people. That's when I started blogging.
I started Frantic Foodie so I would have something to do, so I could discover Seattle, perhaps I could have conversations via my blog (and wouldn't have to scare people on the street by trying to talk to them).
Last week was my first Foodportunity event. I have been doing events for the last few years but this one was huge. More than 300 people all in one place. All foodies. All drinking, eating and networking.
The pics in this post were taken by Nate from FarSightedImages.com. He was one of the two extremely talented photographers that took pictures at the event. I will be posting more of Nate's pictures as well as pictures by the other photographer, Jackie.
Just wanted to give you a little taste, more to come.
Tom Douglas brings in this pig and everyone goes wild.
The Chef in the Hat ( Thierry Rautureau of Rovers) multitasking.
Erik Tanaka (Tom Douglas Restaurants), Philippe Thomelin (Olivar) and Jacob (Olivar)
Now I have a little giveaway. I have a $25 gift certificate for brunch at Rover's which will get you a two-course brunch or a discount on any brunch items.
Tell me what you would do with this Foodportunity? The deadline for the contest is Wednesday (July 29th).
Friday, July 17, 2009
Foodportunity, Just a Few Days Away
Hi Readers,
Foodportunity is just a few days away and I am happy to say it is sold out. If you didn't get tickets I will be having another one in a few months.
Enjoy the Bite of Seattle this weekend, I am also adding a link to my event picks for the week at MyNorthwest.com
Have a super weekend...
Foodportunity is just a few days away and I am happy to say it is sold out. If you didn't get tickets I will be having another one in a few months.
Enjoy the Bite of Seattle this weekend, I am also adding a link to my event picks for the week at MyNorthwest.com
Have a super weekend...
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Bite of Seattle
This weekend is the Bite of Seattle. Starting Friday, there is a long list of restaurants to try from, samples from food companies and Seattle's top chef's doing demos.
Don't forget to go to the alley, hosted by Tom Douglas, where for $10, you get bites from Seattle's classiest restaurants
Don't forget to go to the alley, hosted by Tom Douglas, where for $10, you get bites from Seattle's classiest restaurants
Monday, July 13, 2009
The Enormous Drinking Man Takes Over the Pike Place Market
Breaking news:
On Tuesday July 14 Seattle Coffee Works, located next to Pike Place Market at 107 Pike Street, will officially fire up its new commercial coffee roasting machine.
The company's 15 feet tall kinetic Coffee Drinking Man will arrive to inspect and greet the crowd.
Come in to Seattle coffee works between 11-3:
The giant Coffee Drinking Man sign will be installed with a boom truck around 1pm
and Seattle Coffee Works Roastery will throw open the doors to the public between 11am and 3pm. The open house will include a give-away of freshly roasted coffee samples and free brewed coffee to all passers-by.
They will also be sampling the new line of sandwiches.
After this event, head to the market for Bastille Day celebrations
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
My Favorite Week of the Year
This week is my favorite week of the year. The weekend starts with the Bastille festival at Seattle Center.
The Bastille day festival (this Saturday) is a milestone in my food obsessed world. Two years ago I volunteered at this festival because I was looking to meet new people.
From then on, I kept volunteering at every event that I could find, meeting food people, networking and here I am 2 years later enjoying all the connections that I managed to make.
Saturday night is the Bal des Pompiers (Fireman's ball), an evening of music and dancing in the streets.
Sunday is The Bastille day festival, a festival with chef demos, food and music.
It's free and open to everyone so bring the kids to this family friendly event.
Sunday I will be judging The Chocolate Salon again. Last year was a great experience so I am really interested in seeing the creative choices this year.
I think I still have a blue cheese chocolate truffle with a bite in it from last year in my fridge.
Here is my post from last year.
Bastille Day ,July 14 Events:
Cafe Campagne Bastille Festival:
Live music, food and Burlesque performances
Le Pichet Bastille Celebration
From 6 pm and till late hours
French food and Live Jazz from Absinthe Minded Professors (7pm) and DJ Miss Broadway (11pm)
Maximillian Bastille Day Dinner
Enjoy a $35 3-course meal on the patio, overlooking the water. They have live music too.
I will try to make all 5 events. Will I be able to make it to all of them?
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Mommy List
The Mommy List
Kim Ricketts of Kim Ricketts Book Events and I are putting together an exclusive membership club for moms. To get on The Mommy List, sign up on our blog.
Opening Event:
An evening with Emily Franklin, the author of Too Many Cooks: Kitchen Adventures with one Mom, 4 Kids and 102 Recipes
One part David Sedaris, one part Julia Child, Emily Franklin’s Too Many Cooks is a happy mix of recipes, memories, and good storytelling. A foodie and former chef, Franklin wants to pass on her love of food and cooking to her kids. Over the course of a year, she introduces her children to new dishes — some exotic, some thrown together with whatever she has in her cabinets — with varying degrees of success, sharing with readers over 100 original recipes. Along the way, she discovers how a delicious (or even disastrous) meal can bring families together and feed the soul.
Emily will share her experience on managing a mom schedule, with tricks, humor and anecdotes on feeding your kids while keeping your sanity.
Join us for snacks, wine and an evening filled with ideas, raffle prizes and inspiration.
July 13, 2009
7pm-9pm
$20
Location: Bustle on Queen Anne
535 W. McGraw St. Seattle
98199
(Ticket price includes wine, snacks and a raffle ticket)
Buy Tickets Here
*Books will be available for purchase at a discounted price.
*Raffle prizes include 5 inspiring books autographed by famous authors and other mommylicious gifts.
More about The Mommy List
The Mommy List is an exclusive club for members only which aims to give moms a fun night out. Membership is free. Once you are on the list, you'll be invited to monthly, sometimes bi-monthly events.
The Mommy List events include meetings with authors, inspirational book events, wine and cheese events, spa events and other motherly outings.
How did The Mommy List come about?
The Frantic Foodie (a fresh new mom) and Kim Ricketts (mother of three) of Kim Ricketts Book Events were discussing life as a mom. They both love connecting people, inspiring others and both revel in the joy of organizing events. Together they created The Mommy List.
Can I bring my kids?
Every event is different. Some events will be with the kids but most events will be for moms only. As much as we love those bundles of joy, we believe moms need a night out in order to replenish themselves and gather energy for the hectic mommy life.
Babe in arms are welcome (little babies who need to be close to mom).
For more info, email us at : info@themommylistseattle.com
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ana Luque at Metropolitan Market
Ana Luque, author of The Yogurt Diet will make an appearance on June 26th from 4-6 pm at the Admiral Metropolitan Market. She will be talking about her book, the importance of yogurt and signing books. There will be samples of yogurt, courtesy of the Greek Gods Yogurt.
Have you signed up for Foodportunity yet?
Have you signed up for Foodportunity yet?
Monday, June 22, 2009
This Month at a Glance
Thank God I have pictures to remind me of what I did all month.
My month started off with one of my Seattle Food Blogger Events.
The destination this time, Beecher's Cheese. We met at the Beecher's headquarters for a mini behind the cheese tour, headed to the Maximus Minimus pork truck and ended with a party at the Sugar Mountain headquarters.
This is Kurt Beecher Dammeier, the owner of Beechers, Maximus Minimus and all the other Sugar Mountain establishments. Here he is talking to the bloggers about how he got started. The Maximus Minimus pulled pork sandwiches were packed with umami flavor which made it hard to believe that no MSG was involved. I am ultra sensitive to MSG and don't eat at many places because of this. I felt great after this meal and have been craving another Max/Min sandwich ever since.
Happy Hour at Ponti
I tried out some of the happy hour items at Ponti. A great place for some happy hour snacks($5-$7 items)and a romantic view of the water.
Tutta Bella Issaquah is now open
We took our baby with us to Tutta Bella Issaquah's new location for a special blessing of the oven ceremony. Tutta Bella is Seattle’s first Vera Pizza Napoletana
certified Neapolitan pizzeria, and with this new location, it is the first one on the Eastside. Each oven was blessed and named by Father Bryan Dolejsi of St. Joseph Catholic Church and School in Issaquah. The tradition was inspiring especially with the people swaying to the music being played live by Michael Gotz, Casey MacGill’s Blue 4 Trio, The Tarantellas and the soloist performances by Jadd Davis and Richard Gray. My baby was enjoying all the people clapping to the music.
He thought that they were clapping for him.
The Winner of the Chocolate Contest is.... Francine
The winner of the chocolate contest is Francine.
One of the things that I like the most about this blog is getting comments. All these stories have put a smile on my face. Readers, take the time to read the comments and Francine, email me with your last name to claim your prize.
Did you get your tickets to Foodportunity?
One of the things that I like the most about this blog is getting comments. All these stories have put a smile on my face. Readers, take the time to read the comments and Francine, email me with your last name to claim your prize.
Did you get your tickets to Foodportunity?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Win Tickets to Chocolate Salon!
Last July, I was asked to be one of the judges at The Seattle Chocolate Salon. So I waddled to the Chocolate Salon event, 7 months pregnant with lots of room for the chocolate. I ate until I couldn't breathe anymore and the baby was doing summersaults in my belly.
This year, the Chocolate Salon is back.
If you like chocolate, you will be in heaven. So many different types of chocolate and unlimited amounts of every kind of truffle, dark, milk possible. There were flavors like blue cheese, tequilla, lime and so many more.
Seattle Chocolate Salon
Sunday July 12th
11:am-5:pm
Bell Harbor Conference Center
You think it's your cup of cacao? Well, I have two tickets to give away to this event. Let me know what your favorite chocolate is or tell me a funny chocolate story?
Add it in the comments section and I will choose the winner by Monday. Tell a friend about it and you have a better chance of winning. If they win, they can take you.
Did you sign up for Foodportunity yet?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Foodportunity and Networking
As many Foodportunities arise, I just discovered Biznik and joined their community. Biznik, A social networking website for business networking. I need to do more online networking.
Speaking of networking,do you all know Girl Power Hour? Darnell Sue puts on events for women that you won't want to miss.
Foodportunity is a lot of fun. On the way I discovered Mise en Place by Kyle is now helping out with the event. Also I discovered Tours Northwest.
FYI, Washington Trollers Association will be donating marbled chinook salmon to the event, delivered straight from fisherman Geoff.
Tom Douglas Restaurants will be doing something special with the salmon.
Tickets are selling really fast so if you want to get a ticket, get it soon
Click here for more details
Speaking of networking,do you all know Girl Power Hour? Darnell Sue puts on events for women that you won't want to miss.
Foodportunity is a lot of fun. On the way I discovered Mise en Place by Kyle is now helping out with the event. Also I discovered Tours Northwest.
FYI, Washington Trollers Association will be donating marbled chinook salmon to the event, delivered straight from fisherman Geoff.
Tom Douglas Restaurants will be doing something special with the salmon.
Tickets are selling really fast so if you want to get a ticket, get it soon
Click here for more details
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Weekend Events and Art of the Table
Hey everyone,
I posted this week's event list for MY NORTHWEST.COM
Another event to sign up for this week is this One Pot Dinner with Dustin Ronspies from Art of the Table.
I copied the press release because well, the way it's written is part of the charm.
Press release:
the swimmerly dinner next tuesday is getting more interesting by the moment.
expect a lesson in dramaturgy by implied violence that involves sharks (you might have heard of them - they won the genius award last year...), a short chat with randy lewis about the history of fish-ins (randy invaded and occupied fort lawton/discovery park with bernie whitebear in 69), a new piece of slam poetry by matt gano entitled "things that swim" (matt is the reigning grand slam poetry champ), and a couple blistering stories by john boylan (the reigning champ of the roundtable).
and then of course the most delightful watery setting ever... and brilliant aquatic food by dustin ronspies...
3. one pot + art of the table + things that swim = june 16th
dustin ronspies, the chef at the art of the table has been garnering heaps of praise over the past couple years – and we finally have a spare moment to host an evening together. the setting will be unreal – directly on shilshole bay – at the shilshole beach club- overlooking the puget sound and peering up at the olympics. the club is also home to seattle's center on contemporary art (COCA) – and we will have a chance to spend time amongst new work by tracy boyd.
dustin just got back from a mind blowing eating tour along the coast of spain - add in the watery setting – and we decided an evening in honor of those lovely "things that swim" would be perfect. expect a few courses. and a few surprises.
$45/person. cash bar.
Send an email to reserve a spot: onepotorg@gmail.com
I posted this week's event list for MY NORTHWEST.COM
Another event to sign up for this week is this One Pot Dinner with Dustin Ronspies from Art of the Table.
I copied the press release because well, the way it's written is part of the charm.
Press release:
the swimmerly dinner next tuesday is getting more interesting by the moment.
expect a lesson in dramaturgy by implied violence that involves sharks (you might have heard of them - they won the genius award last year...), a short chat with randy lewis about the history of fish-ins (randy invaded and occupied fort lawton/discovery park with bernie whitebear in 69), a new piece of slam poetry by matt gano entitled "things that swim" (matt is the reigning grand slam poetry champ), and a couple blistering stories by john boylan (the reigning champ of the roundtable).
and then of course the most delightful watery setting ever... and brilliant aquatic food by dustin ronspies...
3. one pot + art of the table + things that swim = june 16th
dustin ronspies, the chef at the art of the table has been garnering heaps of praise over the past couple years – and we finally have a spare moment to host an evening together. the setting will be unreal – directly on shilshole bay – at the shilshole beach club- overlooking the puget sound and peering up at the olympics. the club is also home to seattle's center on contemporary art (COCA) – and we will have a chance to spend time amongst new work by tracy boyd.
dustin just got back from a mind blowing eating tour along the coast of spain - add in the watery setting – and we decided an evening in honor of those lovely "things that swim" would be perfect. expect a few courses. and a few surprises.
$45/person. cash bar.
Send an email to reserve a spot: onepotorg@gmail.com
Monday, June 8, 2009
Foodportunity
Hi Readers,
I wanted to tell you about an event that I am putting together. It's called Foodportunity. Details are below, sign up for the speed networking event by
emailing me at info@foodportunity.com
“Foodportunity”
To Connect Seattle's Vibrant Food Community
Seattle, June 8, 2009: The inaugural “Foodportunity,” a networking event for Seattle food professionals, will take place July 22, 2009, from 6-9 pm at Palace Ballroom in downtown Seattle.
Tom Douglas, awarded National Restaurant of theYear by Bon Appetit magazine & James Beard-award nominee, will provide his Palace Ballroom facilities to host the event, organized by Seattle food blogger Keren Brown. It will feature appetizers from Seattle's most talked about restaurants, the chance to network with food company representatives, a panel discussion on the topic of new media, as well as a “speed networking” event for the first 40 people to sign up.
The Q&A session on new media will be lead by editor Mina Williams (Northwest Stir) and will feature several of Seattle's best-known writers and bloggers: Nancy Leson (Seattle Times), Rebekeh Denn (formerly of the Seattle PI), Matthew Amster-Burton (Hungry Monkey) and Ronald Holden (Cornichon).
Appetizers will come from several sources, including Tom Douglas' restaurants along with a line up of Seattle gems such as Rovers, Andaluca, Olivar, Art of the Table, Dinette, Maximus Minimus and Serafina. Columbia Crest and Vin Du Lac wineries will pour their wines and other beverages will be available for purchase. A range of food products will be on display.
Foodportunity is open to food journalists, bloggers, public relations professionals, restaurateurs, farmers and all food-passionate people. Admission is $25 which includes bites and two glasses of wine (plus tax and fees). Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com. Space is limited. Palace Ballroom is located at 2100 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. More information at www.foodportunity.com.
Foodportunity Schedule
6:00-6:30 pm: Meet and greet, snacks provided by a selection of food companies
6:30-7:30 pm: Reaching Consumers Through New Media
Learn how to communicate your Message effectively Through Blogs, Twitter and Facebook
Q&A session
Moderator: Mina Williams, editor of Northwest Stir, Industry news of the Northwest for culinary professionals
Panelists:
- Nancy Leson, Seattle Times Food Writer and KPLU food commentator
- Rebekah Denn, James Beard Award winning food writer, formerly from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
- Matthew Amster-Burton, food writer, author of Hungry Monkey and contributor for Gourmet magazine.
- Ronald Holden, food writer and creator of Cornichon.org, named among the Top 10 food blogs according to GourmetFood about.com
7:30 – 9:00 pm: Networking time, raffle prizes and bites from Seattle restaurants. Food companies will provide booths and snacks as well.
8:30- 9:00 pm: An optional "speed networking" session for the first 40 to sign up led by Rachel Belle, food writer and former KIRO radio restaurant reporter.
I wanted to tell you about an event that I am putting together. It's called Foodportunity. Details are below, sign up for the speed networking event by
emailing me at info@foodportunity.com
“Foodportunity”
To Connect Seattle's Vibrant Food Community
Seattle, June 8, 2009: The inaugural “Foodportunity,” a networking event for Seattle food professionals, will take place July 22, 2009, from 6-9 pm at Palace Ballroom in downtown Seattle.
Tom Douglas, awarded National Restaurant of theYear by Bon Appetit magazine & James Beard-award nominee, will provide his Palace Ballroom facilities to host the event, organized by Seattle food blogger Keren Brown. It will feature appetizers from Seattle's most talked about restaurants, the chance to network with food company representatives, a panel discussion on the topic of new media, as well as a “speed networking” event for the first 40 people to sign up.
The Q&A session on new media will be lead by editor Mina Williams (Northwest Stir) and will feature several of Seattle's best-known writers and bloggers: Nancy Leson (Seattle Times), Rebekeh Denn (formerly of the Seattle PI), Matthew Amster-Burton (Hungry Monkey) and Ronald Holden (Cornichon).
Appetizers will come from several sources, including Tom Douglas' restaurants along with a line up of Seattle gems such as Rovers, Andaluca, Olivar, Art of the Table, Dinette, Maximus Minimus and Serafina. Columbia Crest and Vin Du Lac wineries will pour their wines and other beverages will be available for purchase. A range of food products will be on display.
Foodportunity is open to food journalists, bloggers, public relations professionals, restaurateurs, farmers and all food-passionate people. Admission is $25 which includes bites and two glasses of wine (plus tax and fees). Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com. Space is limited. Palace Ballroom is located at 2100 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle. More information at www.foodportunity.com.
Foodportunity Schedule
6:00-6:30 pm: Meet and greet, snacks provided by a selection of food companies
6:30-7:30 pm: Reaching Consumers Through New Media
Learn how to communicate your Message effectively Through Blogs, Twitter and Facebook
Q&A session
Moderator: Mina Williams, editor of Northwest Stir, Industry news of the Northwest for culinary professionals
Panelists:
- Nancy Leson, Seattle Times Food Writer and KPLU food commentator
- Rebekah Denn, James Beard Award winning food writer, formerly from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer
- Matthew Amster-Burton, food writer, author of Hungry Monkey and contributor for Gourmet magazine.
- Ronald Holden, food writer and creator of Cornichon.org, named among the Top 10 food blogs according to GourmetFood about.com
7:30 – 9:00 pm: Networking time, raffle prizes and bites from Seattle restaurants. Food companies will provide booths and snacks as well.
8:30- 9:00 pm: An optional "speed networking" session for the first 40 to sign up led by Rachel Belle, food writer and former KIRO radio restaurant reporter.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Rewind to the Last Month or So.
I have had a very busy month lately so I will try to summarize it in this post. I went to the James Beard Celebrity dinner,a dinner hosted by the Executive Chef of the Columbia Tower Club, Chef James Hassell featuring James Beard Award Nominee and reknown Chef Ethan Stowell (Anchovies and Olives, How to Cook a Wolf).
The view was breathtaking and the dinner was very well executed with each course plated like a work of art and layers and layers of flavors. The sugar business card in the back was because we sat with the owners of Sugar Bakery. We also sat with Sheri and Barnaby of Foodista, an online encyclopedia that you can edit. Do you remember my little contest? The winner posted about it. I love her blog.
A few days later was my Ruth Reichl Event, which will forever be a milestone in my life. I met one of the people that I most admire in the food world and got to bring 50 other people together for this.
The next thing that happened that week was the I.F.B.C, International Food Bloggers Conference by Foodista's Sheri and Barnaby.
They did a wonderful job at putting it together, with lots of useful information on many diverse topics (you can watch it online on the link above).
It was like summer camp for bloggers. I got to hang out with great people for two full days. After the weekend, I kind of tried to keep a low profile for a few weeks.
It was very intense and when it turned into a claustrophobic cliquy after-party on twitter with people tweeting every minute of the day, I knew it wasn't my thing. I elegantly reminded myself that I have a family, work and my own projects to do and only popped in and out of twitter occasionally. No offense to anyone but I could totally see a Dr. Phil episode happening, where a man had stopped socializing with his family and stopped leaving his room because he had been sucked in by the Twitter hole.
Much more has happened since then, so keep checking back soon. I can't wait to tell you about my experience at Maximus/Minimus.
Sheri and Barnaby
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Free Tomatoes
Do you want free tomatoes?
Free plants will be given away to anyone who would like to become a TomatoFare2009 grower & participant, and to others interested in growing heirloom tomatoes. Send email to:martinringhofer@aol.com
Martin still has some plants here in Seattle so think fast. Email him before Thursday evening.
Growers get free plants, keep all they grow except one week's worth the week prior to TomatoFare2009 . Event will be held in Quincy, WA on labour day weekend.
Free plants will be given away to anyone who would like to become a TomatoFare2009 grower & participant, and to others interested in growing heirloom tomatoes. Send email to:martinringhofer@aol.com
Martin still has some plants here in Seattle so think fast. Email him before Thursday evening.
Growers get free plants, keep all they grow except one week's worth the week prior to TomatoFare2009 . Event will be held in Quincy, WA on labour day weekend.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Macaroni and Cheese
I found this on the Cook's World website. Let me know if you win.
***SPECIAL EVENT: MAC 'N CHEESE COOKING Contest:
Novices, serious foodies, basic home cooks and Iron Chef wannabes are all invited…'cause if you're passionate about Mac 'n Cheese (and who isn't !) we wanna taste it! Put your best 'whisk' forward and register to WIN! 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be rewarded with Cook's World gift certificates and store merchandise. Rules: Bring your finished Mac'n Cheese entry (entrée) to serve 8 people. Also, bring the recipe to share with fellow competitors. Judging will begin at 7:30 pm then we all sit down to enjoy eating everyone's entry (entrée). Wine included. Thursday, June 11. 7-9:30pm $10.00 registration fee and limited to 14 competitors.
Details: Mac 'n Cheese must include: 1. Pasta (of any kind), 2. cheese (of any kind), 3. milk or cream. We invite to you get as creative as you like with any other ingredients...go for it!!!!
Who: YOU and a 'special' panel of judges
When: Wednesday June 17, 7-9:30PM
How Much: $10.00
How: Call us at 206-528-8192 or email us here to enter
***SPECIAL EVENT: MAC 'N CHEESE COOKING Contest:
Novices, serious foodies, basic home cooks and Iron Chef wannabes are all invited…'cause if you're passionate about Mac 'n Cheese (and who isn't !) we wanna taste it! Put your best 'whisk' forward and register to WIN! 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be rewarded with Cook's World gift certificates and store merchandise. Rules: Bring your finished Mac'n Cheese entry (entrée) to serve 8 people. Also, bring the recipe to share with fellow competitors. Judging will begin at 7:30 pm then we all sit down to enjoy eating everyone's entry (entrée). Wine included. Thursday, June 11. 7-9:30pm $10.00 registration fee and limited to 14 competitors.
Details: Mac 'n Cheese must include: 1. Pasta (of any kind), 2. cheese (of any kind), 3. milk or cream. We invite to you get as creative as you like with any other ingredients...go for it!!!!
Who: YOU and a 'special' panel of judges
When: Wednesday June 17, 7-9:30PM
How Much: $10.00
How: Call us at 206-528-8192 or email us here to enter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
