Last September I took a little trip to Seattle to go to one of my favorite food blogging conferences. I look forward to attending IFBC (International Food Blogging Conference) every year. It has been fun watching this conference evolve and I have to say, this was the best one yet.
The conference organizers really hit it out of the park and I am so happy for them. They really “get” what we as food bloggers like to come away with at this type of event. And yes, I already have my ticket purchased for next year. If you are a food blogger….I hope you can make it too.
Here is a sneak peak of one the conference rooms before a general session. We break out into smaller rooms too, for more intimate discussions on various worthwhile topics. But some of my favorite peeps are right here in this room.
One of favorite sessions was this cooking demo with award-winning chef, The Chef In the Hat, Thierry Rautureau. He has this uncanny ability to take all the stuff in your fridge and make it into a gourmet meal. Loved watching him do it…LIVE.
One of the BEST parts of having IFBC in food-centric Seattle is its proximity to Pike Place Market. Have you been? Or is it still on your bucket list? All I can say is it’s worth making the trek. It is more fabulous than you’ve heard and it’s sensory overload between the sites and smells of all the wonderful food and items you can find there.
One of my favorite things to do is fill up my shopping bags full of bite-sized produce and take it back to my hotel room during the conference. This year I grabbed sweet-ripened tomatoes, huckleberries, raspberries and some of the best peaches I have ever tasted.
Scenes like this are every where and I haven’t even made it inside yet. Aren’t these beautiful?
I could not pass up Caramel Apple-Apple Cider….it was as delicious as it sounds. There were many flavors available and you can taste them all before deciding.
Once inside, Pike Place is in motion…people every where but it’s not overwhelming. The eye candy is as far as you can see.
I imagine everyone who gets married in Seattle to have these amazing flowers they picked up at the market. They are so beautiful and inexpensive. Most hotels in Seattle will provide a vase during your stay to keep a gorgeous bouquet in your room. Make sure to ask the front desk.
The seafood at the market is out of control and most vendors will ship it anywhere. The shrimp are some of the biggest I’ve seen. It has always been my dream to rent a condo for a week close to the market just so I can cook things I find there every day.
The endless array of seafood is mind boggling.
Look at these mushrooms? I just don’t have this stuff in my town…..
And the market does not just have food, but also lots of craft vendors too. Something for everyone.
An absolute must is a 1/2 dozen of these little doughnuts from a Daily Dozen Doughnut Company….they are amazing….warm and shaken in a paper bag with cinnamon-sugar….just unreal.
Back outside at the market are a handful of very popular restaurants, a favorite is Piroshky Piroshky, where they spealize in handmade Russian pastries. They are out of this world, which is why the line is very long…it moves fast though.
I couldn’t resist the Piroshky Piroshky Poppy Seed Rolls….swoon.
Historic Pike Place is laden with pig art…pigs everywhere in fact. This guy was big enough to sit on if you are so inclined.
Even the original and first ever Starbucks Coffee has a giant hog made out of coffee beans. Also the line to this Starbucks wraps around the corner. Every one wants to get in there.
If you come to Seattle Pike Place is a must stop. You just can’t miss this place, it’s foodie heaven.
And if you are a food blogger, I hope to see you at IFBC next Fall, it’s really a great weekend in the city.
If you’ve been to Pike Place Market or attended IFBC, please tell me what you love about them. It’s always great to get another perspective.
One Year Ago: Apple Pie Spiced Doughnuts with Sour Cream Icing
Three Years Ago: Mushroom and Herb Crostini
Six Years Ago: Butternut Squash-Tangerine Soup with Pistachio Gremolata
