Alice's Food Styling/Photographers Boston 09 Conference Wrap

Morning dorm view of The Charles River with Crewing

Evening view of the Charles River

Back from The International Food Stylists and Food Photographers Conference held at Boston University. This biennial conference was geared solely towards editorial (cookbook & magazine) food styling/photography.

I was one of the first speakers Saturday morning along with respected historian & author, Laura Shapiro to kick off the lecture series. Our topic was chosen for us by organizers John Carafoli and Lisa Golden Schroeder called "Styling Trailblazers". Laura's talk was wonderful describing food trends post WWII to the Betty Crocker era 1945-1955. Fascinating. Unfortunately, we were scheduled against East Coast favorites publisher-author-shooter-stylist, Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton, owners of Canal Books. I was extremely disappointed with our poor turnout, however proud of my slide content and performance. I will use this experience as a dress rehearsal for future venues.

I stayed in the dormitory at Boston University with 3 terrific ladies consisting of Chicago shooter Ann Mehrman, UK shooter Pascale Cumberbatch, and Dallas Food Stylist Angela Yeung.

I'll speak about my highlights and the fabulous people I met on this adventure. UK cookbook author, stylist Clare Ferguson was the first person I met at the Boston/Logan airport waiting for the bus to get into town. A character like myself, we became instant friends, having a mutual passion for food and frivolity! Clare and another lovely lady, Marcela Sorondo from Buenos Aries, Argentina spoke about food styling on a Global platform. Really entertaining!

Another new friend and styling colleague, Stef Culbertson owner of a 24-acre farm in Wisconsin and shooter, Mette Nielsen spoke on Sustainable Styling. I promised I would do my part especially on a wasteful commercial shoot to recycle and/or donate all the food left over.

Dinner that evening was a New England Lobster Bake prepared by Jasper White's Summer Shack. As a food critic it tasted like an ordinary steamer entree from Joe's Crab Shack chain.(Alice's grade =C, Samuel Adams local Summer Ale =A. Yummy and delicious)! Good fun!

Next day attended a general session including local agency dude, Tim Foley, Eugene Mopsik of ACMP along with a totally hip marketing wiz, Ilise Benum co-owner of Marketing Mentor from Hoboken, NJ. She was very forthcoming & generous with her ideas. Impressive lady!



With this panel of experts came a delightful French shooter/stylist-blogger, Beatrice Peltre. Her
work is wonderful with that French, playful style . La Tartine Gourmande, Bea's blog is a premier food blog and blew us "pros" away. Check it out. More on food blogs later.

Next came the Keynote Speaker, food scientist Harold McGee, a highlight indeed. He spoke on one of my favorite topics Molecular Gastronomy. I think he attended my lecture (smart man!). Harold is a great teacher of science, food and a nice guy too! Wish my high school chemistry teacher was that cool...

A special mention of UK food stylist/author, Lorna Rhodes who is so talented and spoke about re-formulating her business; Francine Matalon-Degni, NYC prop stylist and Maxine Kaplan owner of The Prop Company( NYC) delighted all of us with their artistic talents and wisdom.

Part 2 to follow.....