With all of the blackberries, i phones, and social networking applications like Facebook and Twitter, there is certainly no lack of information out there no matter what your passion is – whether it be cooking, cocktailing, cupcakes, cookies, quick dinners, bbqs, restaurant reviews and on and on. The great thing is: there are so many doors that open once we embrace the opportunities technology brings!
Last weekend I had the honor of attending and speaking at the first International Food Blogger Conference held in Seattle. I was a guest speaker at – children, shield your eyes – The Food Porn seminar! Now, don’t get all hot and bothered, the topic of this seminar was Food Photography and Styling, which is what really makes websites, books and blogs come to life!
This conference shed the light on a lot of up coming trends of how we share information in 2009. There are so many new information-sharing sites and different ways of communicating popping up all the time, it can be hard to keep up! The conference brought together the timeless and classic food and hospitality industry with the relatively new and ever-changing and updating technology industry, which came to be a very interesting and fun group of minds.
People are getting really creative with their sites and we have so much to be inspired by, right at our fingertips! So no matter what your pleasure is there is something out there in cyber land to feed your interest. Here is a list of some fun websites and blogs that my foodie friends and I love- let me know which sites are your favorites!
Bakerella – for super fun and innovative baking tips for all different skill levels, and lots of fun pictures!
Smitten Kitchen – A clever, witty site for comfort food recipes and other fun ideas from a woman who is probably thinking the same thing you are (wishing she had a bigger kitchen!!)
The Pioneer Woman Cooks – A favorite of radio personality Lisa Brooks – A light-hearted series of narratives that everyone can relate to and will inspire you to get in the kitchen.
Recipe Runway – If you’re an avid recipe collector and don’t know what you are going to do with all those clipped recipes and stain splattered recipe cards – Recipe Runway is for you! It is an interactive site where you can organize and share your favorite recipes. I’m featured as the “Chef on Board” and will be posting some fabulous summer recipes and entertaining ideas. Never again will you have to tear your kitchen apart looking for that illegible recipe card, covered in ingredients!
Foodista – The cooking encyclopedia everyone can edit! Where you can search recipes, foods, tools and techniques.
Simply Recipes – Elise Bauer’s site with a variety of really fun and delicious recipes for the home-cook. Elise started Simply Recipes to document her family’s extensive recipe collection. The blog has grown into what Time Magazine called a “great resource for cooks” in their “50 Coolest Websites of 2006.
All You Can Eat – This list would not be complete without Seattle’s go-to foodie, Nancy Leson who always keeps us up-to-date on the latest and greatest of Seattle’s dining scene.
Eat All About It – Rebekah Denn’s fun and insightful blog featuring what’s hot in the foodie scene. Rebekah is a James Beard award wining writer.
Steamy Kitchen – Jaden Hair is a food blogger, newspaper columnist and television host who focuses on Modern Asian cuisine. The photos are worth a visit alone!
Cakespy – is a sweet site – literally – the motto: seeking the sweet things in everyday life! Jessie Oleson’s search for sweet treats – is complimented by her amazing artwork! I absolutely adore her paintings!
Seattle Tall Poppy – Amazing musings by Traca Savadogo – an avid foodie and super connector of people! From her blog: What is a Tall Poppy? That’s an Aussie expression for “a happy high achiever.” – She is a huge achiever and a Tall Poppy in my book!
Drink Boy – Author of the Essential Bartender’s Guide, Robert Hess’ site shares all kinds of knowledge of the bar.
Al Dente – The cooking portion of the Amazon blog features guest chefs, including myself! My posts are every Wednesday so be sure to check it out!