Three Fabulous Food Blogs

I highly recommend the following food and photography blogs. The photos, recipes and writing styles are devine!

Cannelle et Vanille by Aran Goyoaga

Still Life With by Lara Ferroni

La Tartine Gourmande by Beatrice Peltre

Wonderful Rievew by Aran @ Cannelle-Vanille.blogspot.com: Returning from the International Food Styling and Photography Conference

Cannelle et Vanille: Returning from the International Food Styling and Photography Conference

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.....

Memorial Day 2009

Condor Squadron Fly-Over

Today I attended a Memorial Day Program at Pierce Brothers Valhalla, North Hollywood honoring the fallen Veterans of all wars past and present.

1st Studio City Community BBQ

I believe it's important to support local events that bring neighbors together.
This fundraiser sponsored by Studio City Residents Association to support Save the Los Angeles River Open Space and Studio City Beautification was surprisingly fun. Live music, line dancing, chow by Captain BBQ, and kids activities all held on the 2o+ acre Hirsh Ranch.

BBQ pulled pork, chicken and tri tip was mediocre, with rice, mac n' cheese, and cornbread. Saucy + greasy aren't my favorite style, however a nice Memorial Day get-together for a good cause with friends and neighbors. Pass the Tums please.

Sour Taste and Vegas Dining Critics Faux Pas

My trip to Las Vegas exposed the insincere, rude, off-camera persona of two American TV chefs.I won't disclose the second encounter, Mr. Colicchlio of Top Chef-a-Rama!
How can these self-righteous tradespeople get away with disrespecting a fellow colleague whose craft (Food Styling) visually enhances their culinary creations? Guess they don't trust I'm (we're) on the same team, have the same goal. They take themselves WAY to serious!

NEXT: I want you all to read this revealing article linked below by John Curtas (local Vegas food clown, sorry, I mean critic) and Al Mancini (Vegas food writer of CityLife Magazine).

This article speaks for itself. Please remember these guys get national invitations for FREE fancy food happenings 24/7, are looked upon as honored, educated and respected food writers (journalists)!

Celeb Chef's Blackjack Tourney

MGM's Alex Gaudelet & Chef Robuchon

Chefs are ready to hit the blackjack tables

Paul Bartolotta, D. Boulud with hostess Elaine Wynn

Uncork'd Blackjack felt

My favorite part of Vegas Uncork'd 2009 was attending the Chef's Blackjack Tournament at Encore standing behind Chef Robuchon. Thanks to Emily Wolford for this perk. I served the important duty as official cheerleader and gave moral support to JR( this man has 25 Michelin Restaurant stars)! Alex Gaudelet, MGM's director of Food & Beverage, served as translator/coach. Chef told me that he was a novice blackjack player, however he knew when to bet, hit and hold.

After round 1 of 10 hands, Chef was ahead in chips. It was the 11th hand, doubling down on a pair of 8's that broke his bank. What an honor to stand behind my culinary mentor during the short tournament. Elaine Wynn, owner of Encore Las Vegas and event hostess graciously greeted players. I extended my hand to introduce myself as a loyal patron of the Wynn dynasty. Elaine welcomed me like I was a long lost friend. SO impressive.

Chef and I left the table after his elimination. He & Alex went to dine at Botero Steakhouse (Encore). I went into Casino Encore to find Goldberg hitting the machines. After an hour I returned to the exclusing outdoor pool area to get another glass of Perrier-Jouet Champagne and explore the chi-chi nightclub XS scene (I was doing research).

There was Chef Robuchon holding court on a comfy outdoor sofa with chilled Belvedere Vodka and Verve-Cliquot Champagne for his posse (Exec. Chef Eric Bouchenoire,GM Emmanuel Cornet, and resv. manager, Dara Pierce). What a host! He waved me over to sit next to him, enjoy more champagne with pulsing European disco and watch the parade of loosing tourney chefs. Too much fun. A lovely end to Vegas Uncorked.

How great to hang out with Robuchon & his A- team! Merci, Chef.

p.s. Chef Paul Bartolotta won the Tourney.