San Francisco and Blogher Food!

I’m a little late telling you about my San Francisco trip but when I get behind, I really get behind. A few of you have asked me about my trip, I really did want to share it with you! None of the pictures were retouched, so it’s not the best pictures. Sorry, but you have to deal with it! 

So… here we go!

The big city!

I arrived in San Francisco the day before the conference and I roomed with Barbara from Barbara Bakes. What a sweetheart! I could not have asked for a more perfect roommate! We went out, explored,  and played. We caught Bart and went to the famous Tartines for an awesome prosciutto and provolone sandwich. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my camera, but we took the rest of our sandwich with us for a little (midnight) snack later on.. Then we went to the  Bi-rite market and checked it out. This is the kind of neighborhood store ever one needs right down the street. They had buckets of fresh flowers outside curbside, and it reminded me of the kind of thing you see in the movies. I don’t know where you live, but you don’t see that in my town, damn it!.

Then we cruised across the street to the Bi-rite Creamery and we each had a scoop of ice cream. I had the cinnamon and barb had coconut. Best ice cream ever, except maybe for my homemade ice cream.

After we filled our bellies, we took bart back to the down town area and hopped on a cable car. My very first cable car ride ever, it was a San Francisco traet for me! We rode down to the wharf where we stopped at Boudin Sourdough Bakery. Barb bought a little loaf on Dutch Crunch Bread and I bought some Peach Balsamic Vinegar. We were preparing for a midnight snack later on.

A trip to the Ferry Building Marketplace was on our conference agenda, but we wanted a sneak peak.  I’m so glad we did because the next day was so busy, it was over whelming. The city was  alive  and well that weekend. Not only was there the big play-off game, but it was also Fleet Week. And really, who knows what else was going on that weekend.

As dusk approached and we were winding down,, we walked back to our hotel for the evening and enjoyed our midnight snack!

The next morning was day one of the conference. After a nice breakfast and a welcome from Blogher founders, Elisa Camahort Page and Lisa Stone, we began session one.

I chose the Food Photography classIt was taught by The White On Rice Couple, Todd Porter and Diane Cru. They taught the importance of light and angles. It was a very informative class!

The second session I took was another photography class but it was way over my head. It was on Professionalizing your photography and taking it to the next level. I guess I need to make it to the first level before I can make it to any other level. But I sure enjoyed listening to Helena Dujardin aka Sweet Tartlette and Jen Yu. I’m in awe of both of these ladies.

Between sessions, they had sampling from the different sponsors and demos. This was the table from Scharffen Berger, always there with a piece of chocolate for you.

The last session I took on the first day  was  SEO for food bloggers, geared toward the beginner.  I got a lot of info, but I failed to take any pictures. 

After the conference,there was the Food Fete Welcome Party across the street. Three levels of  food, sponsors and drawings, we  left kind of early. Later, when we were home from the conference, Barbara found out she won an IPad! Yeaaa Barb!

Not being able to catch a cab because of all the city activities, our cab man called a friend who owned a limo service. It was a hysterically fun ride, crammed in the limo with 13  lovely food bloggers, on our way to the La Petite Soiree party.!I t was  held at an amazing photography studio called  Blue Sky Studios.

Arrangement from Spring Street Floral Design.

We didn’t last long, as we were beat with another full day on the horizon.

Second day, session one-Food Styling! Taught by  Dolores Custer,  Tami Harderman, and Adam Pearson. This could well be my favorite session and I would love to buy Dolores’s new food styling book. I first saw it when I was visiting The Culinary Institute of America and have lusted after it ever since. It would make a great Christmas gift! (hint, hint, to The Hubby!)

For our mid day session we had an excursion to the Ferry Building where the Saturday Farmer’s Market is held. It looked like Disneyland with all people crawling around.

It was so exciting. My Hubby would have hated every minute of this sort of thing so I was happy to be with a foodie friend!

Stopping for a pizza lunch and eating out over the bay. It was a warm and beautiful day!

We came back for our finale session. I attended the one for building community, but it was not what I was expecting. I’m not ready not do I want to start my own community. I kind of wish I would have skipped it for some more great San Francisco food! But it was nice listing to Elise, Ree, Kristen, and Alana talk.

Fun people, Barbara from Barbara Bakes and Chris from Mele Cotti.

Sorry about the blurry picture, but here’s  Elizabeth Falkner doing a demo for Scharffen Berger.

The conference was wrapped and we attented an awesome party held at the California Culinary Academy, hosted bu Ree, Jaden, and Elise.

Michael Ruhlman, my new crush, showed us how to cure our own bacon. That man knows the way to my heart.

BACON!

We were treated to Bacon Martinis, bacon ice cream. chocolate covered bacon, and well as many other treats.  Are you getting the theme here? What a good time!

After tugging my camera around for the last 2 days, I didn’t bring it to the after party so… no pictures for you.

What happens at the after party, stays at the after party. 

But I did win one of the many door prices at the party!

A Bay Leaf colored Stand up Kitchenaid mixer!

The next morning, after a nice breakfast with Barbara and Maria, it was time to pack up and leave my heart in San Francisco.  It was an inspiring, fun weekend and I was thrilled to meet so many bloggers that I have  been reading for years.

A big thank you to Barbara, your the best!

Until next year…

When I hope to do it all over again!

Reminder! Stay tuned for tomorrows goody in round 3 of  

The Twelve Weeks of Christmas Cookies!