Blogger Bash

Sorry this will be a quick, rather rambling post, but I wanted to let you know that the Food & Wine Bloggers Bash was so much fun! I saw on Whole Foods Twitter that you should contact your local store if this is an event you would be interested in. Of course our Whole Foods is a huge landmark store with a culinary center that has three full kitchens, two of which are classrooms, and outdoor seating. Even though this was not a vegan food event, it was still great to be around folks that love food and wine. Our nationally renowned sushi chef, Tyson Cole of Uchi, did a demo and served up one of his famous rolls. It was filled with fish, but my sister gave me a piece with just rice and I must say it was the best rice I had ever tasted. And the sauce – OMG! Uchi is far too expensive for me to ever dine in, and I don’t even know if it serves vegan rolls, but I really think I should save my money and check it out. We talked with chef after the demo and got some pointers. And my sister learned that he has a restaurant in Alabama! Not in Montgomery where she lives, but in Birmingham. I got recipes and methods if you want them. Of course you’ll have to wash your sushi rice five times, but it would be so worth it. And grapes – yes, little green grapes – play a major role in his recipes and plating.

Whole Foods provided food as well, and I did get to eat some fabulous mushrooms. I also got to taste some of our wonderful Texas wines. And we got a huge gift bag to take home! I can’t eat any of the food goodies, but there is pomegranate soda, lotion, and bags and a t-shirt – woot!

Oh, I also spent some time talking to Rachel of Cupcakes Take the Cake. She was very interested in vegan and gluten free cupcakes, so I pointed her to some of our best local vegan and gluten free bakers.

I do hope this bash turns into an annual event. Our food writer, Addie Broyles, put this event together. She is not only adorable, but a true friend to local bloggers and a terrific blogger in her own right. Just in case you are interested, here is her write-up (please note she says Austin bloggers are the best!) and also the newpaper's video from the event. I’m not in the video, but my sister is. (She doesn’t even have a blog!) I do have pics on my sister’s camera, so when I get those I’ll post them.

Relish Austin 2009 March 17
Food bloggers rock (and bash pretty well, too)
By Addie Broyles Tuesday, March 17, 2009, 01:44 PM

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that we have the best food blogging community in the country right here in Austin.

The 60-70 Central Texas food and drink blogs I follow (and counting; I find a few more every week) are written by some of the most fun and engaged foodies I know. They work in tech, education, publishing, film and every other industry you could think of. None of them, to my knowledge, make a living off their blogs, yet they keep at it, day after day, meal after meal, kitchen disaster after kitchen triumph, sharing with the world their love of eating (and drinking!).

Getting to know the local bloggers has been the most rewarding part of my job for the past year, and to thank, honor and motivate them to keep doing it, Austin360 threw a food and wine blogger bash last night at Whole Foods downtown.

We invited as many bloggers (mainly local, but a handful of visiting bloggers who are here for SXSW) as we could fit in the room, and asked Tyson Cole of Uchi and Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due supper club to cook. Devon Broglie and the GO TEXAN wine program provided the Texas wine and know-how.

So, thanks so everyone who came out, and to everyone who writes, reads or otherwise supports local food blogs, it’s been an honor to get to know you all. I look forward to growing this strong community in the months and years ahead.

I didn’t get a chance to take a single photo, so if you did, leave a link in the comments.

Keep up the good work!

(I hope this video link works - fingers crossed.)





Tomorrow is a mini family reunion and lunch at my cousin’s restaurant about an hour from Austin. I’m hopeful she will prepare something fabulously vegan especially for me. But if not, I’ll be happy with a big ol’ salad.