FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner-San Francisco

by Peter G on November 18, 2009 · Places, Reviews


DSC 0684 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

Better late than never.  Right?

I’m sure a lot of you may have already read about the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival held in San Francisco recently.  Admittedly, I did miss the first evening and second days activities but I did manage to make it to the dinner.  And for that I feel very privleged.  A 14 hour “jaunt” across the Pacific, a 3 hour nap, one double espresso and a quick cab ride later, I found myself in the foyer of the Hotel Vitale waiting like a nervous teen about to go on a first date!  I was a little anxious and very excited in meeting some of my fellow blogger colleaugues.  Anticipation had been building up all day/night and let me say it was all worth it!  Everyone was lovely, warm and very welcoming.  Even better in “real life”!  I also wanted to thank the people at Foodbuzz for putting on such a spectacular event.  They were real professionals all the way through and everything went as smooth as a well oiled machine.

DSC 0689 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

I enjoyed meeting new friends and old.  Where do I begin?  I sat with Jenn and Roberto from the Leftover Queen, Joan from Foodalogue, Val form More Than Burnt Toast, Giz from Equal Opportunity Kitchen and Peter and Christey from Fotocuisine.  I also had the opportunity to talk (and drink with later)  with Marc from No Recipes and I met the wonderful Angela from Spinach Tiger, whom I had a great meal with at Cafe Zuni on the Sunday night.  I did attend the brunch at Lulu the next day and finally got to meet Jerry from Cooking By The Seat Of My Pants.  I’ve “known” Jerry since we started blogging at around the same time and meeting him in the flesh was quite an honour and a lot of fun!  He’s quite the character!

DSC 07081 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

The dinner itself was held inside the Greenleaf Produce Warehouse.   A very appropriate venue for the foodies that had gathered there for an evening of feasting and drinking!  Organised by the brilliant people of Outstanding in the Field in conjuction with Foodbuzz were were treated to a six course Korean inspired menu created by chef Dennis Lee of Namu with wines provided by Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Vineyard.  I personally enjoyed every element of the menu.  I also indulged in a fair bit of wine (for “research” purposes of course!) and managed to break a glass at the table!  I remember telling everyone I was “delirious” as the night progressed…jetlag, excitment and nervous energy will do that to you!  It was kind of surreal and in my opinion the dinner was a success.  Having worked in catering in a previous life, I can only imagine the organisational skill required to pull off 300 people having dinner on one long snaking table with a makeshift kitchen!  But to everyone’s credit, it was amazing.  Thank you again!

As per usual, I like to tell my story with pictures.  I’ve sort of tried to “mix and match” elements of the whole evening to give you a feeling of being there.  Enjoy! (I’ve provided links at the end of the post for further reading regarding the Festival…check them out!)

fb FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

DSC 0724 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

fb1 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

DSC 0729 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

fb2 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

DSC 0736 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

DSC 0692 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

fb3 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

DSC 0696 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

DSC 0710 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

fb4 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

DSC 0771 FoodBuzz Blogger Festival Dinner San Francisco

You can also read more about the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival from these following bloggers.

You might also like:

1 Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen November 18, 2009 at 16:29

It was great to meet you and hang out Peter! I hope we get to do it again soon! As always your pictures really capture the event!

2 Rosa November 18, 2009 at 17:34

A great event! Lucky you ;-P!

Cheers,

Rosa

3 maybelles mom November 18, 2009 at 17:41

I am not surprised that yours are the best of the photos of the event.

4 Joan Nova November 18, 2009 at 18:45

Peter, I don’t know why people say you are such a good photographer. I pretty sure I didn’t have all those facial wrinkles. Perhaps you need to clean your lens. Great perception and presentation otherwise. :)

5 Peter G November 19, 2009 at 03:31

Joan, you look wonderful!

6 Alessandro Guerani November 18, 2009 at 20:02

Damn you Peter, now I feel an old lazy dumbass for not having come there too. I admit I was scared too by the 14 hours of plane-flight across the Atlantic and the Big Nothing. I hope the next one will be organized on the East Coast, I couldn’t miss if it were in NY ;)

7 Jerry (CBSOP) November 18, 2009 at 20:23

Peter,
it was great finally meeting you as well. maybe next year we’ll have more time to catch up on the real and the virtual over drinks. My trip was harried and poorly planned; something that will not be repeated next year.

It was a pleasure, and thanks so much for the photos from brunch!

8 maria November 18, 2009 at 20:41

Great photos Peter … I was already quite envious of everyone’s posts on the festivaland now you’ve sent me over the edge!

9 Bellini Valli November 18, 2009 at 21:04

You have captured the spirit of the evening perfectly Peter. I really don’t remember you getting up and leaving the table to have the opportunity:D Perhaps I had too much wine or was distracted by broken glasses and fallen zippers…sorry I crack myself up. I am only kidding because it certainly was a pleasure to meet you all the way from Australia. Perhaps we will all share a table and a glass of wine next year:D

10 billy@ATFT November 18, 2009 at 21:15

The event looks like a hoot! I think you are the perfect Australian represent for this event! :)

11 Ben November 18, 2009 at 21:33

I am so sad I couldn’t make it this time. I wanted to meet all that wonderful people, but there will be more opportunities, right? Amazing pictures as usual :)

12 Marc @ NoRecipes November 18, 2009 at 22:20

Peter, it was great meeting you there! Will definitely have to come down there and meet you on your own turf. I haven’t been to Sydney in ages and I’m curious how the food scene has evolved.

Nice captures BTW! I really need to get on the ball and finish processing my pics.

13 giz November 18, 2009 at 22:58

Some really great shots Peter and so many wonderful memories. We’ll have to do it again next year. We were all very fortunate to be there.

14 maria v November 19, 2009 at 00:39

great rundown of the events
the food looked exciting and you were all having fun
you were very lucky to be there

15 Peter November 19, 2009 at 07:26

I’m enjoying all the photos and reports back from SF…if you have more…by all means – post away!

16 Núria November 19, 2009 at 09:08

I love the way you presented it Peter! Really natural and moving… the people, the environment, the food… How I wish I was there too!!!!!!! I’ve been complaining for one week now, but I mean it!
I would have loved to do some “research” with you all!!!! ;D

17 Carol, Simply...Gluten-free November 19, 2009 at 09:10

May I just say how jealous I am? Thanks for the fabulous write up and as always your photos are stunning! Don’t you just love San Fransciso?

18 FoodJunkie November 19, 2009 at 09:26

Great photos Peter and the dinner looks superb. I wish I were there!

19 Simone (junglefrog) November 19, 2009 at 12:19

Lovely photos that capture the event really well Peter. I have been reading many stories about the foodbuzz festival and would have loved to join as well, but maybe next year… :)

20 lisa (dandysugar) November 19, 2009 at 13:42

Looks like it was a fabulous time. I enjoyed reading your post- very beautifully documented with such gorgeous shots.

21 Angela@spinachtiger November 19, 2009 at 21:15

I am so jealous of your photography. Not only did my camera work only half the time, it’s not your camera. WOW! What camera do you use? One day I want to take photos like this. You have taken the BEST of SHOW for the Awards Dinner. And, I think you’re pretty wonderful too!

22 SippitySup November 20, 2009 at 11:39

These photos really capture the event beautifully. I was so pleased to have met you and am looking forward to getting to know you better through this blog. GREG

23 MPG November 20, 2009 at 14:24

Looks like a lot of fun…some great shots there…you know SF is not that far from Seattle ;)

24 Christey November 20, 2009 at 23:40

Peter,
Wonderful meeting you finally!!! We had a great time and hope to see you in Florida soon :)

These pics are amazing. You captured the spirit of the whole dinner!

25 Emily November 21, 2009 at 03:53

I am so jealous that you went. I was dying to go. It looks like so much fun! Your pictures are incredible, Peter. Thanks for posting a recap.

26 Jen of a2eatwrite November 21, 2009 at 17:58

I was so jealous of all of you who were able to go – but these pictures make me (almost) feel like I was there. Just beautiful photos and I’m so glad you were able to make it!

27 Christie @ Fig&Cherry November 22, 2009 at 22:41

Such fun Peter! I narrowly missed out on meeting Marc in NYC. Glad you got to meet him and all the others too.

28 Marija November 23, 2009 at 11:35

After reading yours and Jen’s posts, definitely will be coming next year!

29 barbara December 11, 2009 at 06:31

I didn’t realise you had gone to the meet up in SF. Such fun. Which one is Giz in your photos?

30 Peter G December 11, 2009 at 06:53

Hi Barbara, Giz is in the second photo…on the far right.

Comments on this entry are closed.

Previous post:

Next post: