3rd Annual FoodBuzz Blogger Festival!!!

Hi Everyone!!!! I just got home after attending my 1st ever FoodBuzz Blogger Festival in San Francisco & I have to say it was just the best thing ever!!!!! I'm so amazed by the generosity of the many sponsors for the event & the event organizers did a fabulous job of putting this all together...1st, just look at all the wonderful goodies we got in our gift bag on Fri. (Day 1, Nov. 4):

2 12 oz bags of Godiva coffee, Godiva truffles,Oxo peeler, etc.

 Later that Fri. evening, we were treated to a wonderful reception that was sponsored by Sabra where we sampled Jalapeno Hummus Mini-pizzas, Sabra Rosemary Chicken Salad Puffs, Sabra Bruschetta, etc. and:

Dungeness Crab Louie in Lettuce Cup

1 hour later, we moved to the upper level for the Dinner & Blog Award Ceremony dinner that was sponsored by Electrolux. And was treated to more food & wine!!! Here's a sampling of what  we ate:

Glazed Marin Sun Farms Pork Belly
Broccoli Puree, Wood Roasted Florets, Pickled Shiitakes, Chile Morita Vinaigtette

Brown Sugar Butter Roasted Chicken
Whipped Potatoes with Pecorino Cheese
Baked four cheese Macaroni
Potato-Broccoli Soup
Butternut Squash Orzo

Cerviche Shooters with snapper,Lime juice,cilantro,jalapeno & tomatoes
Mai's Rolls Vietnamese spring rolls
Housemade Beet Ravioli with wild arugula, fines herbs & shaved holly springs & aged goat cheese
Tuscan Kale,Leek & Ricotta Salata Tart

Here's Eileen (my partner!) reaching for the Creamy Italian Nougat & Valrhona Chocolate
Ganache Bite with Marcona Almond...she got 1 for me, too!!!!!

A Dessert Sampler plate:
Mascarpone cheesecake with Calvados quince & gingersnap crumble
Chocolate-coffee cream star cookie sandwiches
Christmas macaroons
Heirloom pumpkin tart, gingersnap tart shell, candied pumpkin seed, nougatine, milk choc crunch center
Silky Pomagrante, candied kumquat & fresh pomagrante seeds

Day 2, Saturday, Nov. 5: Classes!!!! The 1st session of the day started at 9:15 am. at the Federated Media Headquarters on Townsend St. They told us that a continental breakfast would be served & let me tell you that it was more than what I'd expected...it was another feast!!!!!!!!!!! There was sooooo much to eat & choose! A huge assortment of breads & scones, 2 types of frittata, fresh fruits & my favorite yogurt~Brown Cow!!!

 The sessions I attended were valuable, quite informative & well presented. Chuck Lai (Foodgawker) provided useful tips on how to take good pictures using an iphone, Angi Chau (Rice & Wheat) gave informative info on choosing a camera (I learned about the Micro four-thirds model...I need one! I want one!!!) & Greg Henry (Sippity Sup), who is also a professional photographer gave lessons on taking eye catching photos using a regular "point-and-shoot" camera.
At 12 noon, everyone headed to the Metreon for the Taste Pavilion where several vendors had samplings to whet our tastebuds...yes, more to eat & drink!!!!! There were quite a few vendors & here's just 2 of what I tried:

Alaska Seafood

Australian Lamb

4 hours later, the Gala Dinner!!!!! I was still full from breakfast & the tasting, but had to at least sample the dinner, which was sponsored by Alexia Foods!!!!! But before the dinner, we were treated to a cooking demo by the wonderful, talented & well known chef, Tyler Florence!!!!!!! He prepared a pork chop that looked yummy & would've loved a bite...but at least I had good seats & had a good view of Tyler Florence!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to attend this fabulous event...I gained valuable information, met new friends, and tried different foods...and for sure I'll be back next year!!!! Eileen, thank you for asking me to blog with you!!!!

Yours truly, Karen