Better late than never, here’s my BlogHerFood16 Wrap-Up. All I can say is BlogHerFood16 in Austin Texas was amazing! Nah, I can say a lot more.
And I have lots of photos to share with you too.
Upon check-in I received a canvas tote bag filled with lots of foodie swag and treats from quite a few of the sponsors: Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls, Heluva Good Dip, Lentils.CA, American Dairy Association, American Egg Board, Enjoy Life Foods, National Confectioners Association, and RX Bar*(s).
Breakfast was sponsored by Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls & Bread.
During breakfast, Martin’s @potatorolls had a fun Instagram contest, with the hashtag #thetoastisgolden. It was a cute idea to have the instructions for the contest printed on the place mats.
Of course, I had to take a ridiculous selfie donning a Martin’s baker hat. In case anyone should accuse me of being a stuffy, serious, food blogger. 🙄
The conference was held at Austin’s downtown Hilton. The food was delicious and plentiful. There was almost TOO much food. Is that possible for a food bloggers conference? 😕
BTW the future of BlogHerFood is safe and illustrated here… because BABIES!!! 😉
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My favorite speaker and break-out session was with Jane Ko, travel & restaurant expert, and blogger @ A Taste of Koko.
In the workshop, Jane shared her secrets about photography composition, styling, and maximizing natural light. She covered 3 main topics:
- How to take better photos using the features and apps on your mobile phone
- How to creatively style your photos
- How to use apps made just for mobile to edit your photos
How generous of Jane to share all her Instagram tricks and tips. I’ve been using her techniques on my Instagram account since the workshop. They work. I’ve been getting more Followers and more engagement.
Did you know that lentils grow in Canada? Canadian Lentils, Lentils.CA, one of the conference sponsors, is a brand funded by Saskatchewan Pulse Growers. SPG is accountable to and funded by over 17,000 farmers in Saskatchewan. The organization’s mission is to nourish the world through profitable pulse production.
Pulses are a protein-packed, and earth-friendly food we know as beans, chickpeas, lentils and dry peas. So, eat lentils for your health and for social good. Lentils! Who knew?
A bag of bars were waiting in my hotel room Friday afternoon. RX Bar*s have no gluten, no soy, no dairy, and no added sugar. Their main ingredients are dates, egg whites, almonds and cashews. I like the chocolate ones the best.
Sometime you need a break from even the best of food blogger conferences. By the pool with Bloody Mary; need I say more?
Across the street from the Hilton is the Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill. Moonshine’s craft cocktail, “The Waterloo,” made with Waterloo gin, cucumbers, and grapefruit juice was very enjoyable, but their hot pretzel sticks, with whipped pimento dip… OMG! (Who had 2 orders? 😛 )
Did I mention Yianni came along on the trip? It was our first time in Austin.
Here he is at The Driskill, an historic hotel more than 100 years old. It was built in 1886 as the showplace of cattle baron Jesse Driskill. Fun fact: Former President Lyndon B. Johnson awaited news of his successful 1964 election as President of the United States from the mezzanine-level Jim Hogg room.
Good times! Thank you BlogHerFood16!
Have a Merry Christmas and Shop with your Heart! 
