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Category Archives: Conferences

Quebec City’s First-Ever FoodCamp: A Delicious and Inspiring Experience

Quebec City’s First-Ever FoodCamp: A Delicious and Inspiring Experience

Well, Quebec City has finally had its first major food event. Sure, there are a few tradeshows that take place every year, but we had yet to host a fully fledged conference with chefs, and demos, and tastings, and networking opportunities—and fun!

It was called FoodCamp Québec, and it all happened thanks to the determination of one of Québec’s foremost bloggers, Francis (Tranche de Pain). I truly admire people who stop wishing and start doing. I mean, I’ve been wishing for a conference to happen in Québec, like those I fly miles to attend, but truthfully, I never even thought of organizing one. Why not? Francis created the event he dreamed of attending (and he had never done anything like this before). I have to say, he and his team did a fantastic job. The events ran smoothly, the sessions were unique and interesting, the food was fantastic, and the crowd was delightful.

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On Being a Food Writer in 2012 (or what the IACP conference in New York City taught me)

On Being a Food Writer in 2012 (or what the IACP conference in New York City taught me)

A little over a week ago, I was sipping one last drink with Nikki in New York, feeling inspired and discouraged in equal measures. Over the course of the previous five days, during the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Annual Conference, I had been fed with incredible amounts of information about the state of the food writing world. My head felt heavy and clouded and I wasn’t sure what to do with all that newly acquired knowledge. I felt contradictory emotions: I’d had the chance to see and hear (and sometimes meet) many successful authors and writers, so I felt a little light-headed, like a star struck teenager; but what these professionals had to share didn’t amount to such a rosy picture, which made me a little queasy. Like all young writers (by young, I mean in the early stages of their career), I feel confident one minute and discouraged the next; writing is what feels like I’ve always been meant to do, yet I can’t help but notice what a bad time I have chosen to take this turn in my career.

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A Foodie Tour of Salt Lake City {Part 1 of 2}

A Foodie Tour of Salt Lake City {Part 1 of 2}

One of the great things about the Altitude Design Summit, which I attended recently in Salt Lake City, was that it featured activities suited for a wide range of interests, including food. Yay for me! Of course, I signed on to anything remotely food-related in an effort to fulfill the foodie as much as the designer side of me while attending the conference.

On the last day of Alt, a Foodie Tour was going to be led by food blogger Lindsey Johnson (of Café Johnsonia). I was very eager to discover what gourmandises Salt Lake City had to offer because, as the tour’s description put it, one wouldn’t necessarily picture SLC as a foodie paradise. Lindsey was also hosting a dinner on the night immediately before the conference started. Together with Jennifer Hoiyin (of Delightful Delicacies), they took on the formidable challenge of cooking dinner for 16 strangers at SLC’s Viking Cooking School.

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5 {Objective} Reasons Why I Loved Alt Summit

5 {Objective} Reasons Why I Loved Alt Summit

Last week, I attended the Altitude Design Summit, a yearly design and craft blogging conference held at the chic Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Being a graphic designer, design in all its forms is a passion of mine. I follow dozens of design blogs from which I draw inspiration on a daily basis. That’s how I first heard about the Alt Summit last January: suddenly, all my favorite blogs were posting about it, and in fact, after checking out the schedule, I realized that all my favorite bloggers were speakers at the conference. My first thought was, “Why haven’t I heard about this conference before now?” then, “I have to make sure I make it there next year”.

I knew attending the summit would be fulfilling from a creative point of view, but I wondered whether I would draw true relevant advice for my work and my blog.

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An Inspiring Visit at the Whole Foods Market Flagship Store in Austin, Texas

An Inspiring Visit at the Whole Foods Market Flagship Store in Austin, Texas

In 1980, a small grocery store selling natural and organic products opened in Austin, Texas. Today, this small store has grown into an empire that manages over 300 stores in the US, Canada and the UK, counts over 54,000 employees and is publicly traded. The company is called Whole Foods Market, Inc. (WFM) and its stores have become lifestyle destinations. I have heard and read people questioning the company’s practices, but to me, WFM stores are still a shopping destination whenever I visit a city where they are located. There are plenty of other smaller, independent stores (as well as farmers’ markets) selling natural foods – and I do shop in those stores and markets since there is no WFM in Quebec City – but I see WFM as a leader that is carrying the organic and locavore movement forward.

Austin’s flagship Whole Foods Market store and the company’s headquarters right behind.

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A Fulfilling Week at the 2011 IACP Annual Conference, Austin

A Fulfilling Week at the 2011 IACP Annual Conference, Austin

I’m just coming back from Austin, Texas, where I attended the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) annual conference. For those of you who don’t know the IACP, it’s a “professional society of individuals employed in, or providing services to, the culinary industry.” I became a member last fall, after Stephanie (Wasabimon) convinced me it was the best all-round association for food professionals and that the annual conference was not to be missed for the learning and business opportunities it provides.

As soon as I became a member, I realized I now had access to an incredible wealth of knowledge. I was amazed at the other members’ experience and felt proud to be part of this new community. I also felt it kind of “legitimized” my food blogging hobby and confirmed the choice I made to target my graphic design and translation services toward the culinary industry.

A week ago, I flew to Austin for the long-awaited conference.

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The Modernist Cuisine: Future or Science Fiction?

The Modernist Cuisine: Future or Science Fiction?

I am somewhat ambivalent when it comes to molecular gastronomy. As much as I drool over blog posts published by the chosen few who had the chance to enjoy one of Ferran Adrià’s spectacular meals, when I really challenge myself to figure out if I would genuinely enjoy that kind of experience, well, I’m not so sure. Don’t get me wrong; I would book a flight and go to El Bulli if I could make it before Adrià closes the kitchen for good, but mostly it would be because of the exclusive character of the experience, for the unique chance to experience it myself, and because, deep down, I am a bit of a chef groupie. There, I said it.

But do I feel true attraction for molecular gastronomy? Not really. In truth, I don’t know that much about molecular gastronomy (which I will abbreviate to MG from now on), but I know that I like true, simple flavors.

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IFBC 2010 – The Food: A Pictorial

IFBC 2010 – The Food: A Pictorial

In the end, it’s all about the food, isn’t it?

I feel for the IFBC organizers who had to take up the challenge to make 250 food enthusiasts belly-happy for 3 days. For me, they really did it. At every meal, we were lucky enough to benefit from the talent of creative chefs and we never served the same thing twice. Here’s how it went down:

Friday night: Opening of the conference at Hotel Monaco. Cocktail party hosted by the main sponsors with wine tastings, cocktails, and small bites.

Saturday:

  • Breakfast: Fresh breads and French pâtisseries; one-bite muffins and cakes; variety of berries.
  • Lunch: Small plates menu prepared by 5 different chefs with wine pairings.
  • Cocktail-hour: Tapas with Sherry pairings.
  • Dinner: Tasting menu crafted by 6 different chefs; desserts; wines.

Sunday:

  • Breakfast: An incredible array of (enormous) doughnuts, muffins, berries.
  • Lunch: Food truck gathering; beer.

Are you hungry yet? If not, wait ’till you see the pictures.

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On Food and Friendships: The International Food Blogging Conference 2010

On Food and Friendships: The International Food Blogging Conference 2010

So, months ago, I planned a visit to my brother’s in Seattle. I’ve been coming here almost every year since he moved to the Pacific Northwest ten years ago. Days after I booked my tickets, I learned the International Food Blogging Conference (IFBC) would be held right in Seattle, right when I planned to be there! A newcomer to the food blog community, this was perfect to get inspired, boost my confidence, and allow me to meet new people.

Fast-forward to August: as the start of the conference grew closer, I began feeling a bit stressed. I’m naturally reserved and timid when it comes to meeting new people, especially when I’m by myself. Would I be stuck on my own all weekend? Would I be able to get to know new people and form friendships? My only comfort resided in my deep belief that food always brings people together, no matter what.

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