Where have I been the past five days? Eating.
Well, that’s not entirely true. Since moving to Seattle and beginning work at Foodista.com three and a half months ago, much of my time and energy has been planning the International Food Blogger Conference (IFBC). The event is a weekend long exploration of food, writing, and technology. A gathering of the industry’s leading chefs, bloggers, authors, editors, publishers, restauranteurs, and many more, including special speakers such as James Oseland– editor-in-chief of Saveur magazine, Victoria von Biel– executive editor of Bon Appétit, and Morgan Spurlock– Academy Award nominated director of “Super Size Me.”
Food bloggers from all over arrived this past weekend to listen to panels that addressed the art of recipe writing, food photography, the law and ethics of blogging, search engine optimization, publishing, writing with all five of your senses, etc. The cherry on top of the conference sundae? Attendees tasted the most delicious food Seattle has to offer- everything from the top chefs of the area to the best bakeries and coffee shops to the unique food trucks.
The conference was a labor of love for me. One of the best creative experiences of my life and certainly one that I learned an enormous amount from. Planning, coordinating, working with chefs, designing the space – all of it was possible because my family at Foodista believed in me and allowed me to run wild.
The following posts are my reflection of the three day conference. Enjoy these photos- most belonging to my dear friend Karlyn, a part of my family at Foodista.
This first post explores the venue where we held the conference on Saturday and Sunday, August 28th & 29th. Theo Chocolate Factory. As if my blog weren’t already painting me to be Willy Wonka, now you can see all my madness has been real. Must have been the months of working in a space with chocolate fumes that really did me in. Or eating the chocolate. I can recall at least three times, all before 10am, when I asked if it was too early to be in the tasting room.
Here is the transformation from raw space to rough charm. Grunge to glam.
Stay tuned for the food.
what a tease! :P
great pictures. I love the transformation of the site. You are not alone in your love of chocolate…gotta have a little every day and the darker and creamier, the better. Glad you are loving your job. So few people do.
This is so exciting!! I really hope I get to come next year — I’ve always wanted to visit Seattle!
Can’t wait to see mmore!
I am really looking forward to what IFBC will be next year since I only heard about this very recently! :) Friends of mine went and had good things to say.
Can’t wait for the food. But I LOVE those hanging lights!
What a lucky girl. That event looks amazing. I really should get started on my love for chocolate because I will literally use up the rest of your comment space. I can’t wait to see what’s next for you.
Wow, the space looks amazing! I can’t wait to see the food! :) Wish I could’ve been there.
Wow! Great transformation! Can’t wait to see the rest of the event. Sounds super fun!
that looks to cool i so wann go to one of these things!
What an incredible opportunity!! Can’t wait to hear more:)
How cool to be such an integral part of that! I’m sure you did an amazing job and I can’t wait to hear more. :)
Completely jealous of your weekend, but based on these pictures alone, I can see it was a wonderful event!
Bring on the food :D
We missed you! But that looks like a great time (and a lot of hard work, I’m sure :) ) The venue is beautiful.
We took a tour of Theo last Christmas– so cool to see it all glitzed out!!
Ummm HOW did that place look so amazing?!?!?! Wow!
Andrea this is wonderful! I love your posts and photos on the IFBC! But what I like most are your recipes! My son loves your cookies and thanks for all your wonderful tips!
Thanks so much, Alisa! That’s very kind of you!