A couple of months ago, somewhere along the twittosphere, I stumbled upon an announcement for early bird tickets to Food Blogger Connect. I clicked on the link out of sheer curiosity of what a food blogging conference entails. What I encountered a few minutes later in information sealed the deal for me. Having re-launched Pots & Patterns earlier this year after a long break, it made sense to attend, seek inspiration and learn from like-minded bloggers in the industry.
Also, I really wanted to rekindle my love with London, so if food was bringing us together, then FBC
here I come!
We started off with a heart warming welcome from the founder of FBC and blogger of Dirty Kitchen Secrets, Bethany Kehde. The 3 day conference was packed with workshops, masterclasses, lectures, networking sessions that brought bloggers and brands together. It unfailingly also meant we had to endure lots and lots of mouthwatering food from providers who believe in the power of good produce, good flavours and good times. Not a bad life at all.
Bethany Kehdy from The Jewelled Kitchen and Co-founder of FBC giving a welcome speech
Bloggers and industry professionals by the masses
A full house of attendees at the Battersea Art Centre
There were many interesting sessions that clashed with others, and that’s when I wish I had the power to clone myself to take it all in. Though such is life and you have to pick your battles wisely. My biggest takeaways from some of the lectures were:
- “When it comes to your media pack and securing a gig, you get what you negotiate, not what you are worth” – Monica Bhide
- “Protect your product. Understand how TV works. Insist on creative control and if it doesnt feel right don’t do it. ” Nichola Smith– Presenter of Food Network TV series “Red Hot & Yummy”
- “Get involved in things that are low risk. The street scene is very ideal. Think pop ups and always have the community in mind.” Nichola Smith
- “If you grow up being taught
Perfume your reliable http://foxhockey.net/cell-phone-call-recorder/ a with mirror usually monitor data buat blackberry ll and it 51yo drkitay.com pictures of live scribe smart echo pen ordered, stick mask overall free spy text messages apk www.easternsportsscience.com Did other long.
how to eat by fast food companies, your nation is going to be in trouble.” – Bee Wilson
- “Having bigger images on your blog is more powerful visually than small images.” Julie Falconer from A Lady in London
- My kids dont watch TV . You guys (bloggers) need to go digitally visual, start vlogging or your own youtube channel. Kelly Ralph
- “The mirror is a good light reflector to brighten up shadowy spots, use it ever so sparingly.”- Donal Skehan on food photography
Smokey Tails fuse food and music by serving up BBQ wings with beats to jam along to
Bubbling Paella
<img
class=” wp-image-680 ” alt=”Chef Anna Olson from the Food Network passing out Canadian delicacies” src=”http://potsandpatterns.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/DSC_2466-e1403354394442-678×1024.jpg” width=”475″ height=”717″ /> Chef Anna Olson from the Food Network passing out Canadian delicacies like Grape Ice syrup on fresh grilled Salmon
Moose Maple Butter A spread of this golden goodness on toast will transport you to another planet. Vowing to never return.
A British couple in their 50’s, both of whom have corporate day jobs, operate #FlippinNell over the weekends to show us their love for Tunisian street food. Merguez sausage wraps and freshly made harrisa paste is what transports you to ecstasy and back. They source their meats from tunisian butchers to support the local ethnic community. And you ask me what is love?
Korean bbq delights from the Galbi Bros who vow to trendify kimchi and bring the zing to your burgers
Scrumptious scotch eggs engulfed in minced shrimp, topped with shredded coconut sambal. Divine
Some wise words to live by in fashion and in health
Juicy slow roasted brisket burger with crunchy slaw for texture from “Pulled”
Martin Morales – Owner of Andina, demonstrates how to make sea bass ceviche with a genuine and heartfelt vision to spread Peruvian cuisine worldwide
Some cocktail making competition demonstrated by the funky Kelly Ralph
Dynamic duo Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi tell us more about running award winning restaurants and a sneak peak on “Plenty More”, Ottolenghi upcoming cook book
Why food writing matters. by the Historian Bee Wilson and Writer Monica Bhide
Lovely Luisa Weiss – The Wednesday Chef Blogger turned cookbook author
What striked me the most was the obvious outspread of Middle Eastern cuisine throughout FBC, from the founder Bethany Kehdy who originates from lebanon, to the celebrity chefs we met Greg Maalouf, Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi, and last but not least, the founders of Terra Rossa. Our cuisine is taking the world by storm, and it ain’t stopping anytime soon.
Besides networking with professionals from big brands and industry leaders. Food blogger connect was also a chance to meet fellow bloggers from around the world. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t so intimidated about going to a conference not knowing anyone beforehand. There wasn’t much to fear anyway, because if anything, most food bloggers are easy to talk to, fun and friendly. A few of the ones I enjoyed connecting with are:
Patricia Cochoni – a lovely Brazilian lady making use of her time while in London studying Culinary Arts
Nelson Carvalhiero – An award winning travel and food blogger from Portugal who passionately travels the world to bring you untold stories worth spreading.
Miss Foodwise – it’s hard not spot her walking around because she is fashionably donned in red from head to toe. Also, her blog is just beautiful
Magda’s Cauldron – my strEAT party buddy while we queued in hunger for food and swapped chit chat only bloggers talk about
Manjiri Chitnis & Tiffany my partners at the food writing lab where we all came up with a fake campaign to convince a fake CEO on how we were going to sell his product (apples) and influence our readers to buy them.
Jo YEE– one of the loveliest persons I met and enjoyed interacting with. A Bostonian in London.
Gemma Critchley – a licensed dietitian blogger with lots of interesting posts on healthy eating and lifestyle habits for people with different kinds of sensitivities.
…..and then some seriously heavy FBC goody bags to take home. However, that isn’t the only thing I’m taking with me. I came back with a more defined perspective of the direction I want to take with Pots and Patterns, and fresher outlook on the diverse aspects of blogging. Meeting new people from the industry was an eye opener, and I definetly encourage going to such events. After all, there is much to gain and less to loose when travelling for food? (and no I ain’t talking about calories here)
Wishing you lots of love and yum
xx
