Comraderie

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There’s something to be said for being around those like you.

When I signed up to attend the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. OK, yes, food, drink, learning about both. But being a shy person, I didn’t know if I would be able to break out of my shell and talk to people. I grew further worried about it when my plane was late and then the BART was broken, and I missed out on meeting Mardi of Eat, Live, Travel, Write for lunch in Chinatown. I was wandering around Union Square hungry and wet and wondering just what the heck I had gotten myself into.

But I was there, and I couldn’t turn back. My matchbox-sized room served to chastise me for any waking moment I spent in there, and after changing into what became known as “The Party Dress” I went out to meet the food bloggers.

I’m so glad I did. Even though I was instantly embarrassed that the very first person I talked to was Jeff Hertzberg of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Thankfully he was very nice and I relaxed once I got over my little shock of talking to someone I consider a celebrity. I sorry to say that I don’t remember the names of quite a few of the people I met over the weekend, and even sorrier that I didn’t take the time to talk to more people. It’s hard to put blog names to faces, and even though we all had badges with our blog names on them I didn’t want to be squinting at people’s stomachs all weekend, as if I was keeping track of how many times they returned to the free tasting booths.

I did meet some great people, too many to name really, and it gave me a bit of calming to talk about all the stuff I was interested in – real, whole foods, CSAs, cooking from scratch, non-junky snacks for kids. It’s kind of like the instant you know you’re with the person you’re going to marry. Everything just feels right. The entire weekend made me want to blog more, cook more, and do both better.

I do want to give a special shoutout to the ladies I ended up spending most of the weekend with: Leah of The Snacking Chef, Melissa of Cheese, Wine, and Chocolate, and Rose of The Bite Me Kitchen, who incidentally was the Daring Cooks co-host this month. I had a fantastic time with them and hope I get the chance to see them again.

Also, a big thanks to Foodbuzz for putting on a great weekend. You introduced me to some great people, great foods, and great local companies. See you next year!