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| Collard Greens were everywhere at the Sweet Auburn Curb Market! |
Last weekend I attended the annual BlogHer Food conference in Atlanta, where more than 500 food bloggers gathered for several days of sessions, tastings and networking.
The schedule was full: seminars covering a wide range of topics, numerous food samples from sponsors, and social events including a party hosted by Ree Drummond’s Tasty Kitchen. One highlight was a visit to the Sweet Auburn Curb Market, and I also enjoyed meals with new friends at several local restaurants.
Meeting fellow bloggers in person is an amusing and warm experience after connecting online. You often recognize someone immediately if they have a photo on their blog, and the familiarity makes it easy to strike up conversations and form real friendships.
I was especially happy to reunite with Grace from La Mia Vita Dolce. Grace was one of the first bloggers I met at BlogHer Food 2010 and has been a supportive friend as I’ve learned the ropes of blogging. Her site features beautiful cakes, pastries and sweets, and I was thrilled to hear her exciting news about a book deal.
I also finally met Marly of Namely Marly. Although we had never met in person before Atlanta, we’ve followed each other’s blogs for more than a year and greeted each other with a big hug. Marly’s vegan recipes and her ongoing Name Project interview series are both inspiring, and she spent a lot of time photographing fellow attendees at the conference.
I reconnected with several bloggers I follow and admire, including Kathy from Panini Happy, Debra from Smith Bites, Jennifer from Savoring the Thyme, Kelsey from The Naptime Chef, and Marla from Family Fresh Cooking. I also spent time with newer bloggers such as Sommer from A Spicy Perspective, Ilke from Ilke’s Kitchen, and Susie from Return to Sunday Supper. Conferences like BlogHer Food are ideal for meeting people who share your passion for food and food writing.
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| Me, Grace, Marly, Ilke and Sommer |
One of the most inspiring panels I attended was “Finding Your Visual Voice,” featuring Aran of Cannelle et Vanille, Tami of Running with Tweezers, and Stephanie of Desserts for Breakfast. Each speaker brought a distinct photographic style and practical tips. Photography is a skill I want to improve this year, and I left the session eager to apply several techniques and possibly update older posts that lack original images.
Although much of my time in Atlanta was spent in sessions at the hotel, there was an afternoon visit to the Sweet Auburn Curb Market. The market blends outdoor food vendors with an indoor produce area. I was struck by the abundance of collard greens—massive bundles arranged in stacks, far larger than what I usually see in the Northeast. The market also offered interesting local varieties of fruit and produce, including unusual plums and items noted for traditional medicinal uses, such as yellow root, which some people regard as having anti-inflammatory properties.
On the final night I joined a group dinner at Urban pL8, a restaurant focused on seasonal, local ingredients. There I met Kalyn from Kalyn’s Kitchen, one of the earliest food blogs I followed, as well as Andrea Myers, Lydia of The Perfect Pantry, Susie of Eat Little Eat Big, Liz from Meal Makeover Moms, Kathy from Panini Happy, and Kelly from Sass and Veracity. I ordered the Red Curry Pan-Seared Tofu with roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli and coconut milk—it was the best meal I had on the trip, although I had to leave early to catch my flight.
Overall, BlogHer Food was a wonderful opportunity to deepen connections made online and to meet new friends face to face. The conversations, shared meals and creative energy reinforced why in-person events remain valuable for anyone who blogs about food.
