New York Times Food Section July 29

I was woken up this morning by NY Times food writer, Kim Severson.

She's doing a piece on food styling regarding upcoming Julie & Julia (Child) movie and wanted an interview from ME, "the Expert" whom she saw on last week's Food Network Challenge "Food Magicians". Kim told me the food stylist used for the movie was a friend of Martha Stewart, who's a friend of Nora Ephron, movie's screenwriter!

Check it out online or at the "ol fashioned news stands" for my East Coast pals. Piece will run Wednesday, July 29 in the NY Times Food Section.

-post script: my words were in the article, however no attribution.

TV Food Network Challenge "Food Magicians" A Grand Success!

Contestant Angela Yeung at work

Winner Angela Yeung faces the judges

I'm so excited and relieved that the latest Food Network Challenge episode"Food Magicians" aired with great panache! This was my second appearance as the Expert Food Stylist Judge. I'm my worst critic and seeing myself on national television is never a fun experience , however I was pleasantly pleased with how the editors at High Noon Productions condensed 15 grueling hours of shooting into a 60 minute, nail biting food style-off.

TV Food Network Challenge "Food Magicians" Airs July 12

Here comes The Judge! I return as the Food Stylist Expert Lead Judge!

Premieres: Sunday, July 12th at 8pm Est. "Food Magicians"

Four of the best food stylists in the business come to Challenge to prove who has the skills to take home $10,000. The competition takes place over three rounds: breakfast, mystery lunch box, and romantic dinner for two. The competitor whose presentations garner the best photographs will take home $10,000 and a gold medal.

Cindy Lund @ General Mills Styling Workshop

Cindy Lund's Cinnamon Roll Drizzle

The Perfectly Frosted Cake

One of the highlights for me at the Food Styling Workshop was Cindy Lund, General Mills Food Styling Manager. I took my first class from her at a Food On Film® Seminar 25 years ago in Minneapolis, MN and she was terrific.

For many years I have been styling baked goods (layer cakes, muffins, brownies, cupcakes) for Bradshaw International Inc.'s various bakeware packaging. Her techniques haven't changed validating my cake construction as spot on.

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.....