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Archive for the ‘Epicurean Events’ Category
Monday, September 6th, 2010
One of the best hours of the conference belonged to Penny De Los Santos, an award-winning documentary photographer who has spent the past several years documenting food culture around the world. Her session “Point of Departure” on food photography was inspirational. In addition to giving a lesson on camera angles, lighting (she prefers natural light), and editing she asked us to communicate, contribute, and challenge ourselves. She asked us to do the extra work to find the light and show a sense of place, to make a picture that is a gift. She stressed using our instincts and to shoot for ourselves. To match our insatiable appetites for delicous food with a curiosity that drives us to stop taking pictures and start making pictures. To be inspired, lead with our hearts, be open and realize we have the chance to tell a story.
Penny is a senior contributing photographer for Saveur Magazine, following are a couple of the cover images of hers I recognized as favorites of mine:
Photo used with permission by Penny De Los Santos, copyright Penny De Los Santos 2010
 Photo used with permission by Penny De Los Santos, copyright Penny De Los Santos 2010
Posted in Epicurean Events, Photography | No Comments »
Monday, September 6th, 2010
Because they make me so happy….! We have here a Chocolate Old Fashioned, a Feather Boa, and a Maple Bar. It would have been wrong to have not tried (devoured?) all three. This was breakfast at a food blogger conference after all and we would never want doughnuts to go to waste. Yes, fresh fruit was available, but I was being the good samaritan and eating doughnuts so fruit lovers could have their fruit. Oh and how could you just have one - obviously I had to have a chocolate one, the pink one was so pretty…and that name, as for the bar well I’m a sucker for those. Let’s face it I’m obsessed with sweets so there was no way I was going to worry about calories and take a look at all the boxes believe me everyone got their share.
Posted in Baked Goods, Comfort Food, Epicurean Events | No Comments »
Monday, September 6th, 2010
It feels natural to be return to posting, but also a tad intimidating. I am back in Maine thinking about all those engaging sessions, gifted speakers, and super fun (I know the term “super fun” sounds childish, but it fits believe me) bloggers I met last weekend at the International Food Blogger Conference (IFBC). The event was my first foray into the offline blogosphere.
A few of the people I met there are professional writers who have been published, but most of my blogger kinship are individuals like me who found blogging to be a place to voice authentic thoughts online. I am an amateur at writing and photography and this blog is a place where I can share places I love to visit, post recipes others have developed and I’ve tried and enjoyed… this is where I write about my musings. My personal space where you dear readers can visit as much or as little as you like. Of course, I am hoping for the former! This space continues to be a way for me to meet interesting people in other cities such as Los Angeles based Nathan of thechocolate0fmeats.com who graciously shared his knowledge of food trucks with me and Jen of userealbutter.com, who gave up programming for NASA to ski the Colorado Rockies and bake up a storm. *Note to Jen I’ll be baking that Caramel Cake odyssey you posted about some time back.
Before moving on to the photography seminar, food truck lunch, and oh yes goody bag I want to share a couple of uplifting resources I was introduced to at the conference.
Farmers Colin McCrate and Brad Halm, otherwise known as the Seattle Urban Farm Company, could well be your answer to sustainable food sourcing if you live in Seattle. McCrate and Halm will help design and install a ready-to-go organic vegetable garden for your backyard, and plan out a multi-year garden strategy including maintaining healthy soil and irrigation. After an initial garden installation, they will provide weekly maintenance and if you choose even harvest a weekly supply of fresh produce and flowers for you and your family!! Along the way, while tending to your garden, they will share their knowledge of organic growing with you.
Readers to Eaters is a Seattle based bookseller and publisher with a mission to promote food literacy from the ground up, so children and families can become active participants in their local food culture. They retail and publish books about food, and develop programs and events about our food system by partnering with farmers, gardeners, chefs, teachers, librarians, parents, organizations and communities. I am happy to report I supported them by purchasing a few books at their conference booth. Amy Penington’s Urban Pantry: Tips & Recipes for a Thrifty, Sustainable & Seasonal Kitchen is one I’ll be toting with me next weekend to share with my tomato canning companions.
Posted in Baked Goods, Books, Do Good, Epicurean Events, Gardens, Local Flavors, Travel | No Comments »
Saturday, August 28th, 2010
Lunch as provided by the IFBC…what I sampled
Chef John Howie, Seastar Restaurant, John Howie Steak, Sport Restaurant and Bar
Salmon Carpaccio
Suggested Wine Pairing: L’Ecole No. 41 2008 Semillon-Columbia Valley & 2007 Syrah-Columbia Valley
Chef Shannon Galusha, Bastille
Marinated Octopus with Chickpeas and Preserved Lemon (others enjoyed with Chorizo Vinaigrette)
*This was my favorite dish, I had two helpings! Attractive in an artistic way, the octopus was large enough to be a tiny offensive - as in do I want to close my eyes or am I brave enough to take a big bite - I chose the latter and found it deliciously flavorful and perfectly chewy. A tad bit salty, and I mean that in the best way.
Suggested Wine Pairing: Skylite Cellars 2008 Sierra (73% Pinot Gris & 27% Sauvignon Blanc)
Chef Jason Stratton, Spinasse
Zucchini in Capione with Fennel and Apricot
Suggested Wine Pairing: 2009 Carderetta SBS 79% Sauvignon Blanc, 21% Semillon
Middle photo Lemon Basil.
Posted in Drink, Epicurean Events, Travel | No Comments »
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Tomorrow I fly to Seattle, where I expect to meet a lot of interesting people (some of whom have blogs I have begun to follow and really enjoy), eat and drink (and write all about it), see friends, and spend a little more time in a city I’ve only had the briefest of relationships with in the past year.
One day I would like to roadtrip to and throughout the Northwest by back road and highway. It is the best way to see the country, conversing with oddball strangers (because those are the most memorable), having deep conversations with my traveling partner(s), eating good and really bad food, and checking out for a few weeks.
Photo by Grant Harder.
Posted in Epicurean Events, Travel | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
The FourCoursemen is an underground supper club in Athens, Georgia. Picture three professional chefs, a wine pro, and two former web developers/designers. A shotgun house with a big stove, two big tables, and a small dishwasher. The rules (supposedly) go they never make the same thing twice, never plan a dinner more than a few days out, and do not announce the menu until the evening starts. I would love to be part of something like this, how fun, and of course I would love to attend one of their delicious meals.
They accept reservations online.
Menu and pictures from a recent dinner:
MENU:
Chilled Vidalia Onion Soup w/ Roasted Tomato, Crisp Lardo, Basil Oil
w/ Hugel Et Fils, Pinot Gris, FR ‘06
Watercress Salad w/ Housemade Ricotta, Local Green Beans, Proscuitto, Tomato, Lemon Chive Viniagrette
w/ Les Hexagonales, Savignon Blanc, FR ‘08
Sablefish w/ Roasted Patty Pan Squash, Eggplant Puree, Curried Carrot Cream, Shallot Rings
w/ Morgan, Unoaked Chardonnay, CA ‘08
Quail Two Ways – Chicken Fried Breast & Leg Confit w/ Sweet Corn, Arugula, Fresh Plum, Plum Souse
w/ Decoy, Pinot Noir, CA ’08
Spiced Banana Chocolate Ice Cream Bar w/ Coffee Dust, Oatmeal Cookie Fingers, Fruit Coulis
w/ Hudson, NY Corn Whiskey, USA, NV
All photographs The Four Coursemen.
Posted in Epicurean Events | No Comments »
Friday, July 9th, 2010
I am so excited, next month I will be in Seattle at the International Food Blogger Conference (IFBC) with Molly Wizenberg, Kristine Kidd, Shauna James Ahern, Carol Gillott, and a slew of other wonderful people who blog/write about food. The extra special kicker, the folks at Theo Chocolate are giving me a factory tour. The Marketing Director has actually read my blog, is aware of my passion for chocolate, and is still letting me in the doors. Amazingly sweet woman. Sunday evening I will dine at Delancey, the end to what I am sure will be a perfect trip.
Posted in Epicurean Events | No Comments »
Thursday, July 8th, 2010
I have read Frank Bruni, the former New York Times restaurant reviewer, refer to his job of eating for work as a tough one. While dining at Eric Ripert’s restaurant is a dream of mine, he not only had the opportunity to dine there on numerous occasions, and was paid to do it. Granted he had to take on an intense exercise routine to balance out his daily caloric intake.
Well, I felt a tiny bit like him yesterday when I just “had” to attend one of Michael Salmon’s cooking classes at the Hartstone Inn. Just “had” to eat his cookies, drink a fancy cocktail, hang out with his lovely wife/my friend Mary Jo plus a few other friends I never get to see enough of, learn a few really cool cooking/baking techniques, dine on a lobster roll handmade by Michael (with lettuce from his garden and locally caught Maine lobster), watch a professional photographer at work, and eat a lot more of Michael’s goodies. Um, yes I even got to lick a spatula. This was all done for a feature article to run in a fall issue of one of the nation’s top shelter publications. Seriously though after all that food I felt like I needed to walk several miles, nap, and attend a Zumba class. Instead I “had” to eat more with the editor, photographer, and Mary Jo at Shepherd’s Pie (new restaurant Brian Hill of Francine’s opened month or two ago in Rockport, ME.) Hey it is a tough job at time, but someone has to do it - really they do!
A few pics from the day…
Posted in Epicurean Events, Friends, Local Flavors, Media, Midcoast Maine, Photography | No Comments »
Monday, June 28th, 2010
Today I spent several hours wandering the halls of the Javits Center attending the Summer Fancy Food Show organized by the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. In addition to running into an old friend and getting to spend time with some clients whose products I find pretty tasty, I was able to meet some of the people behind the edible products I enjoy so much. Similar to the natural food trade show I went to in Los Angeles a few months back, this event is attended by hundreds of food retailers, distributors, and exhibitors.
My favorites:
Fastachi (I carry a bag of their Super Nut Mix in my bag for protein on the go)
Theo Chocolate (their salted caramels are tasty and the sales manager was kind enough to invite me to their blogger conference in Seattle - um hello yes I would like to attend! oh and that factory tour yup sign me up for that too)
Tate’s Bake Shop (love their chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies, oh and the packaging by Louise Fili!)
The French Farm (import delicious goods including salts, oils, and mustards from France)
Bella Cucina (I use their pestos to make homemade croutons, they also have the most beautiful presentation and packaging). Check out their fun blog!
Hancock Gourmet Lobster - owner Cal Hancock is one of the nicest people. Her grandmother owned a lobster restaurant in Ogunquit, Maine. When someone does me a big favor I thank them by sending Cal’s Downeast Lobster Rolls or Black Dinah Chocolatiers truffles. Anyone who reads this blog enough knows of my love for BDC truffles so the fact I would include Cal in the same sentence..well you get the idea. Authentic, locally sourced, the real deal and so tasty.
Guittard Chocolate - I bake with their chocolate chips. Tasted their green mint chips, pretty good but not sold in Maine.
Top image Louise Fili Ltd. Bottom image Hancock Gourmet Lobster
Posted in Baked Goods, Epicurean Events | No Comments »
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
Slow Food’s Portland chapter will help the Portland Museum of Art celebrate the final days of their exhibition ”Objects of Wonder: Four Centuries of Still Life from the Norton Museum of Art” tonight with a farmers’ market style event. I will be there to support my goat cheese making friends and guest speaker Nancy Harmon Jenkins (published author, food writer, expert on Italian food). Tickets are available at the door $25/$20 museum members. Event is 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Portland Museum of Art.
For those of you who attended the event I organized at the Portland Museum of Art last summer, this event will be similar (but indoors).
Slow Food is a vision, a way of living and a way of eating. It is a non-profit eco-gastronomic member supported global organization founded in 1989 to counteract the fast food movement.
Support good, clean, and fair food. Commit to your community and the environment. Access your local food system.
Image: Daniel Seghers, A Garland of Pink Roses…, oil on canvas
Posted in Epicurean Events, Local Flavors, Portland Maine | No Comments »
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