BlogHer Food '09

I had a lovely Saturday. I attended the first annual BlogHer Food conference, and it was fantastic.

I was actually a bit hesitant to attend, since I don't really consider myself a foodie, and although this is technically a food blog, and even though I've written about food for over a year and have a cookbook coming out (in a few weeks! squee!) I don't actually know that much about food.

And I will never, ever have a zen moment while cutting an onion.

shhh. don't tell anyone.

So I was a bit worried to go. I was worried that it might feel a bit snotty.

I was SO WAY WRONG.

I didn't bring my camera (Adam had it on the soccer field for the girls' game), so I don't have pictures of the lovely ladies I met, but I'd like to link to some extraordinary women (and Sean. Hi, Sean!) who you might or might not already know.

These are all real people who know about food. I had a real conversation with all of them, and guess what? No one was snotty. Yay!

And they all twitter. I've been super hesitant to jump on the twitter bandwagon because I'm terrified of time-suck. But I signed up, so I can keep in touch better with my peeps. I haven't actually tweeted anything yet, though, because I haven't figured it out. I think this is who I am: http://twitter.com/stephanieodea
well. I know WHO I am, but that doesn't mean I know what to do with this here account. I plan to put the kids to bed early and figure it out.

(psst, there is no order to these blogs. just how they happened to pop into my head just now.)

Shirley Braden, Gluten Free Easily
Diane Eblin, The W.H.O.L.E. (whole healthy organic living everyday) Gang
Alison St. Sure, Sure Foods Living
Elana Amsterdam, Elana's Pantry
Michelle Stern, What's Cooking Blog
Karen, Sassy Monkey
Kristen Doyle, Dine and Dish
Michelle Lentz, My Wine Education (wine-girl.net)
Book of Yum
Anne-Marie Nichols, This Mama Cooks
Shauna James Ahern, Gluten Free Girl
Kalyn Denny, Kalyn's Kitchen
Sean Timberlake, Hedonia
Stefania Pomponi Butler, City Mama
Lydia Walshin, The Perfect Pantry and Drop In and Decorate
Alana Kellogg, Kitchen Parade and A Veggie Venture
Jaden Hair, Steamy Kitchen
Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman Cooks
Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes

I enjoyed this conference so very much, and if I had a choice between attending the full BlogHer conference or BlogHer Food, I'd choose the smaller focus of the Food. While I always have a complete ball at the full conference, I really liked the smaller feel at Saturday's event.

I get overwhelmed easily.

There has been a bit of buzz throughout the blogosphere about lunch. Lunch was sponsored by Bertolli, and the wine served was from one of my favorite wineries: St. Supery. I was invited to an event Friday night at St. Supery winery, and although I originally RSVPd yes, I chickened out due to 1) being pregnant and 2) not wanting to stay out late (probably had lots to do with number 1!)
Adam and I served St. Supery's Sauvignon Blanc at our wedding, and I routinely give St. Supery as a gift. It's a great wine, a great price, and it's local.

As for the food, I didn't have it, because I ate the gluten free option, which was a fabulous risotto.
Which you can make in the slow cooker!

Traditional Risotto
Corn Risotto
Breakfast Risotto

Thank you to Lisa, Elisa, and Jory for this wonderful event. I'm looking forward to next year!