International Food Bloggers Conference Seattle

I realized something today. I’m spoiled.

First, I’m currently in Seattle attending the International Food Bloggers Conference with about 300 other food lovers. If you’ve never attended a food blogging conference it’s basically 48 plus hours of eating, drinking, laughing and discussing those things that bore all your other non-food obsessed friends. Complemented by helpful information for blogging, writing and food photography, of course.

I got a good laugh when Mark Briggs, the instructor of the Entrepreunerial Journalism session, said that we (as food bloggers) are different with all our happy attitudes, eagerness to meet people and introduce others. I’ve mentioned this before. You simply can’t be grumpy when it comes to food. We are a great bunch to be around.

So that’s one reason I’m spoiled. The second has to do with my visit to Pike Place Market today. My husband and I visited Seattle several years ago and the one thing I could not wait for was this market. I absolutely loved it.

Fast forward to my life now. I walked to the market today as soon as I got into downtown. I marveled over the gorgeous flowers, the European shops and the seafood. I stopped by the water, snapped a few photos. Then I sighed, feeling disappointed.

What is wrong with me? I’m at one of the most awesome markets in the world and I feel disappointed? How much of a food snob can I be? It was then I realized what has happened.

I’m becoming a full-fledged California girl and California foodie. At that moment it became even more evident to me just how lucky I am. You really cannot beat California agriculture (big and small).

So here I am at the this conference feeling like the luckiest person in the world both because I have access to amazing food, but also because this food is now my job as a freelance writer, recipe developer and food photographer outside of this blog. Life is good.

As part of attending this conference I made a commitment to blog about it, so I’ll be taking a short break from recipe posts to share some of the amazing food and drink from the weekend. And if you are a blogger, I’ll share any great tips I learn, too.

After my self-reflective trip to the market, the conference got off to a great start. We started with food, of course. Burrito bowls from Chipotle (the pickled onions were a tasty touch) and Red Velvet ice cream from a local sweet shop, Cupcake Royale.

Next came an inspiring keynote from Dorie Greenspan (an honor to hear her speak), then a food tasting of natural products from Amazon.com Grocery, and learning sessions. Then a Taste of Seattle and Gourmet Fair. See, more food.

Not to make you hungry or anything, but here are a few highlights from my day.

Sablefish Ceviche with guajillo chile, lime, onion, cilantro, serrano and black sesame, and Huitlacoche Tamale (you know, that Mexican corn that grows fungus), from Poquitos. Both delicious.

Great sushi from the W hotel.

Baked potato and tofu sushi from Blue C Sushi. Interesting, but so good!

Purple potato gnocchi with pork belly. I had to try this since I’ve played with my own blue potato gnocchi. This version was outstanding!

Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Bisque from Volunteer Park Cafe. One of my favorites!

Asian inspired guacamole with ginger. And my very favorite for the night — smoked scallop from Boka. It was one of the best things I have hand in long time, and I told the chef so. The flavor was amazing. Now I want to experiment with smoking scallops.