MN Food Bloggers

Bloggers: Matthew and Abby Hughes
Blog: Fig & Fork
Twitter handle: @figandfork

The MN Food Bloggers is a community of some pretty awesome people. We blog. We cook. We grow. We dine. And now every month, we’ll turn the spotlight on a fellow blogger and learn about their love of all things Minnesota and all things food!

1. What was your first stand-out food experience?
Matthew: Our first stand-out food experience as a couple was all about figs. We hit the peak of fig season on a trip to San Francisco. We hiked up Mount Tam and packed a picnic lunch from a local market. We had Adriatic figs so ripe they were ready to explode. We agreed we’ve never tasted a fruit so pure and fresh. The next day we were at a restaurant in Sonoma and I mentioned to our server that figs were Abby’s favorite food. He ran away and returned a minute later with figs picked straight off the tree outside. We were beside ourselves. He put a slice in our champagne — it was perfect.

2. What inspired you to start blogging? When did you start?
Abby: We just started in January of this year. It wasn’t a big decision we had to make. We didn’t really even talk about it. It came up randomly in conversation one day, and we started working on it the next. It’s been easy to stick with because it’s so fun and we were already doing the cooking. It’s a great creative outlet for us. Of course, there are many talented bloggers out there that consistently inspire us!

3. What is/was your favorite food event to attend, and why?
Matthew: In Waseca, where Abby grew up, we cater an annual event called “The Smoker” hosted by the Masonic Lodge. Upon entry into this old mansion everyone gets an empty wine glass and a cigar. Abby and I volunteer our Saturday to make the best-possible appetizers we can come up with to pair with cigars or wine. This year, one of the appetizers we are making is “Cold Smoked Cubanos” made with cigar tobacco and cold smoked pork. It’s a fun play on the name of the event. We have guests popping into the kitchen all night to talk with us. It’s so fun.

4. Tell us your most fun food story.
Matthew: I’ll never forget cooking with Abby for the first time when we were just barely dating. Her parents were having a dinner party with friends and pairing some amazing wines with a menu I had created. Meeting her parents, their friends and trying to make a great impression on her was a little nerve racking. I wrote an over-ambitious menu for my future in-laws. I was in over my head. Abby recognized this when she saw me scrambling to replace one of the three mignonettes for oysters I had forgotten. Instead of sitting down and enjoying the dinner, she swooped in, tied on an apron and bailed me out like veteran cook. We had a blast. From that day on we’ve loved cooking together. We turned a Chambord mousse into a semifreddo last minute that night. They must have liked it because they hosted the wedding at their home one year later!

5. What advice do you have for anyone interested in getting into food blogging?
Abby: Just start writing, cooking and photographing. There is no good time to start — you’ll learn and evolve as you go.

6. Give us 5 tips—anything from cooking to blogging to restaurants to life in general!

1. Cook with what you drink. Think beyond wine (although we enjoy it) and use different beers, ginger beer and root beer.
2. Make a night out of dining out. Go to a few places instead of parking it at one spot. We love to have dinner at one place and dessert at another.
3. Highlight ingredients instead of masking them with heavy sauces or seasoning. When’s the last time you tasted lettuce undressed?
4. “Don’t get caught short in the land of plenty.” (Quoted by Kevin Clemons, Abby’s dad.) It sort of applies to everything, especially in catering and entertaining.
5. Get a CSA. It’s the greenest way to experiment with cooking.

Share your food blogging experience with us! If you would like to have the spotlight shine on you and your blog, send a tweet over to @GourmetGlee using our hashtag #MNfoodbloggers or email micki@gourmetglee.com.

Micki Sievwright is the writer and cook behind Gourmet Glee, a food and craft beer blog bouncing between the Twin Cities and Denver. She is the former editor of the Stillwater Gazette, four-time volunteer for the Twin Cities Food Experience, two-time volunteer for the Great American Beer Festival and longtime fan of all things gourmet. Follow her on Twitter @GourmetGlee or visit GourmetGlee.com.

Austria is for lovers – Wine lovers, that is.

Join us Thursday, April 26th, for a transporting five-course tasting menu created to highlight the flavors of Wimmer-Czerny wines with the winemaker himself, Hans Czerny. The Czerny family has been working their land and winery, located about 50 miles west of Vienna on the Danube River, for over 250 years. Hans, who is extremely committed to practicing minimal intervention in the vineyards and in the cellar, will be speaking about the identity and the personality that comes from biodynamic wine-making.

$130 includes pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres, five-course tasting menu and wine pairing for one person. Tax and gratuity are separate.

Call La Belle Vie at (612)874-6440 for your reservation. Space is limited!

Check out the blurb on City Pages by Joy Summers!

Blogger: Pola M.
Blog: An Italian Cooking in the Midwest
Twitter handle: @ItalianMidwest

The MN Food Bloggers is a community of some pretty awesome people. We blog. We cook. We grow. We dine. And now every month, we’ll turn the spotlight on a fellow blogger and learn about their love of all things Minnesota and all things food!

1.    What was your first stand-out food experience?
One of the first things I remember about food is going down to my grandma’s house in the afternoon for a little tasting. At about 4 p.m. she would have me sit on the table— it was a small table, but I was even smaller so my leg didn’t get to even half the table. From the table I would watch Grandma prepare dinner and she would let me taste everything. It wasn’t special food, but the whole thing was kind of a daily ritual and I loved it!

2.    What inspired you to start blogging? When did you start?

I just decided that I wanted to collect my recipes somewhere. So one day, I opened a blog. I had no idea what I was doing and it took me a while to figure out even simple things such as that there are food blogger communities and taking good pictures is important. After almost two years I think I am starting to make sense of some things, but I still have so much to learn! What kept my blogging going at first was that it gave me a sense of accomplishment: after writing a post I could say I had something that day. Now, I keep it going because of my readers.

3.    What is/was your favorite food event to attend, and why?
I love dinners with friends. Small groups of five people or big groups of 20. As long as the company is good, the wine is flowing and the food is prepared with love, it is great to spend the time together enjoying the conversation. Plus on those occasions I don’t have to feel guilty about overeating!

4.    Tell us your most fun food story.
I guess I’ll go for funny and choose going to the butcher’s. Meat cuts are complicated. U.S. and Italian butchers have different way of breaking down the meat. English teachers usually don’t spend much time on explaining the names of the different meat cuts. Hence, going to the butcher becomes a sort of a “guess the meat cut” game with me trying to explain in more or less broken English what kind of meat I want explaining where it should be located in the animal, what I want to use it for and so forth. Usually we surprisingly get to a suitable meat cut.

5.    What advice do you have for anyone interested in getting into food blogging?
Keep it fun for yourself. It is easy to get obsessed with the numbers: page views, hits, visits, unique visitors, comments... But if you are not a professional blogger, numbers do not matter all that much. So just do your thing, have fun with it and treat it as a hobby. If you are passionate about it, it will show and people will eventually come. At least that is what I tell myself.

6.    Give us 5 tips—anything from cooking to blogging to restaurants to life in general!
This one is hard I’m tempted to go with slogans, but I will try to come up with my own cheesy tips. You can interpret them as for the kitchen, blogging or life. Up to you!

1. Be fearless. Nothing is quite as difficult as it might look at first.
2. Push your boundaries. When you get out of your comfort zone you’ll discover something new.
3. Know your basics well. Everything will come easier.
4. Build your network. It makes falling less scary and helps you get back up.
5. Make mistakes. You cannot know what you are doing right until you know what can go wrong.

Share your food blogging experience with us! If you would like to have the spotlight shine on you and your blog, send a tweet over to @GourmetGlee using our hashtag #MNfoodbloggers or email micki@gourmetglee.com.

Micki Sievwright is the writer and cook behind Gourmet Glee, a food and craft beer blog bouncing between the Twin Cities and Denver. She is the former editor of the Stillwater Gazette, four-time volunteer for the Twin Cities Food Experience, two-time volunteer for the Great American Beer Festival and longtime fan of all things gourmet. Follow her on Twitter @GourmetGlee or visit GourmetGlee.com.

Please join the Minnesota Food Bloggers for the 3rd Annual Blogger Bake Sale to benefit Share Our Strength's No Child Hungry Campaign.

There will be lots of fabulous treats baked by many of our wonderful local bloggers, including some gluten/soy/dairy free goodies - so there will be something for everyone!

Event Details:
Saturday, April 28th, 12-3pm

Location: Midtown Global Market, Stall #158 (right by Mapps Coffee)

Help spread the word on Facebook and Twitter (#bloggerbakesale)

Questions? Contact lisa.mnfoodbloggers@gmail.com

Hope to see you there!!!

Second Harvest Heartland Fundraiser Aims to End Hunger in the Heartland

Extraordinary culinary evening set for Thursday, April 19

What: Dish: Cuisine for Change is Second Harvest Heartland’s annual fundraiser to raise awareness of hunger’s prevalence in our community and funds to provide nutritious food to our hungry neighbors. This year’s evening gala will offer attendees an opportunity to help end hunger in the heartland while sampling signature dishes from some of the Twin Cities top dining destinations, including al Vento, Amore Victoria Ristorante, French Meadow Bakery & Café, Good Earth, Hell’s Kitchen, Kincaid’s, Kitchen Window, The Lexington Restaurant, McCoy’s Public House, The Oceanaire Seafood Room, Porter & Frye, Red Stag Supperclub, Scusi, Sea Change, Solera, The Strip Club, Treasure Island Resort & Casino, W.A. Frost & Company, Zelo, and more. The evening, which will also include wine tastings, a martini bar, and a silent and live auction, will conclude with comic relief provided by renowned comedian and Tonight Show with Jay Leno regular Sebastian Maniscalco. More than 1,000 attendees are expected at this year’s event. Last year’s event raised $500,000 for hunger relief in Minnesota and western Wisconsin.

Who: Participating local chefs include Jason Blair, Dan Calloway, Joshua Carroll, Chester Dyrud, Wyatt Evans, J.D. Fratzke, Jorge Guzman, Peter Hoff, Jon Hunt, Greg Johnson, George Lohr, Sarah Master, James Powers, Tim McKee, Alex Victoria, Joe Wuestenhagen, and more.

Why: Hunger’s reach is growing in our community as one in 10 Minnesotans is at risk of missing a meal today—that’s 583,000 of our neighbors at risk of missing a total of 100 million meals this year.

Event Details:
Thursday, April 19, 6:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Saint Paul RiverCentre
175 West Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, Minnesota 55102

Individual tickets are available for $150; tables for 10 are available for $1,750.
To purchase tickets, visit dishcuisineforchange.org, www.2harvest.org or call Second Harvest Heartland at 651.209.7994.

Blogger: Keane Amdahl
Blogs: FoodStoned.com, MNFoodDudes.com, AboveTheBurner.com
Twitter handles: @foodstoned, @mnfooddudes, @abovetheburner

The MN Food Bloggers is a community of some pretty awesome people. We blog. We cook. We grow. We dine. And now every month, we’ll turn the spotlight on a fellow blogger and learn about their love of all things Minnesota and all things food!

1. What was your first stand-out food experience?

Nailing down one standout experience for me would be pretty difficult. Food was a big part of my growing up. I remember watching a lot of food TV early on and becoming enthralled with it and in turn that inspired me to play around in the kitchen.

I do remember my first real fine dining experience and that played a pretty large part in stepping up my game at home. I went into Vincent, A Restaurant, in downtown Minneapolis not too long after it opened and I was blown away. The food was unlike anything I’d ever had before. It was the first time I was ever able to sample “exotic” ingredients. The sweetbreads I ate that night will stay with me forever.

Conversely, I was at a wedding in Croatia a few years back and for dinner we had lamb and octopus that had been slow roasted in an underground pit all day. That really brought me back around to understanding just how good natural flavors could be when treated with that kind of respect. All of the food we ate that night came within a few mile radius of where we were staying. They even made their own house brandies using fruits that they had grown right there on the property.

2. What inspired you to start blogging? When did you start?

I’ve been blogging now for about a year and a half. I had some friends that had started “food porn” albums on Facebook and I decided to follow suit. After receiving quite a few comments on things that I had been preparing at home, I decided to give blogging a try. I also really needed a distraction from work and school. At that point, I had a job that I was at working 40 hours a week and I was also taking between 12 and 16 credits in school. I needed something for me. Something I could do for fun that didn’t relate to work or school. I didn’t actually think anybody around here really blogged, nor did I think anybody read blogs. Obviously, I was mistaken!

3. What is/was your favorite food event to attend, and why?

Each new event brings a little something new and special. I think the one that had the biggest impact on me would’ve been the MNFoodBloggers event at the Corner Table in South Minneapolis. I was absolutely stunned that a local restaurant would just sort of open up their doors to us and let us run wild in their kitchen! I think it was the second event or something like that, so it was pretty early on and I still didn’t really know anybody very well. The energy in the kitchen that night was truly out of this world!

4. Tell us your most fun food story.

One of the best food adventures I’ve ever been on was with the MNFoodDudes. Our first outing (and several subsequent outings since) was absolutely INSANE! We hit four different top shelf restaurants and ordered a slurry of dishes at each one. Most of us barely knew each other at the time, but that did not stop us from having an amazing time. It’s funny how food can do that.

5. What advice do you have for anyone interested in getting into food blogging?

Just do it! Jump right in. Don’t let anything hold you back. There are a lot of really great blogs out there, but don’t let that stop you from tossing your hat into the ring. Everybody has a perspective. Everybody’s got something to say. Get out there and say it loud and proud. The more the discussion grows, the better our food system will get and the stronger our communities will be. Blogging is one way in which that can happen.

6. Give us 5 tips — anything from cooking to blogging to restaurants to life in general!

1. Don’t be afraid—Your kitchen is your friend, not your enemy.
2. Don’t be afraid—To pick up something at the store you’re not familiar with just to play with it; it’s only food.
3. Don’t be afraid—To go to a restaurant that you might not normally go to.
4. Don’t be afraid—To step outside of the box. Do something different. Do something new.
5. Don’t be afraid—To ask questions. Questions lead to answers and answers lead to good things.

Share your food blogging experience with us! If you would like to have the spotlight shine on you and your blog, send a tweet over to @GourmetGlee using our hashtag #MNfoodbloggers or email micki@gourmetglee.com.

Micki Sievwright is the writer and cook behind Gourmet Glee, a food and craft beer blog bouncing between the Twin Cities and Denver. She is the former editor of the Stillwater Gazette, four-time volunteer for the Twin Cities Food Experience, two-time volunteer for the Great American Beer Festival and longtime fan of all things gourmet. Follow her on Twitter @GourmetGlee or visit GourmetGlee.com.

There's a friendly competition happening Monday night between Sea Change and Oceanaire. It’s a Sustainable Seafood Throwdown during which Sea Change Chef de Cuisine Jamie Malone and Oceanaire Chef Robert Wholfeil will use a number of mystery ingredients to showcase how to prepare sustainable seafood. Attendees will enjoy tasting the results.

The event is part of the Minnesota Zoo’s Fish Smart program, which is designed to raise awareness of and demand for sustainable seafood. As part of the program, several Twin Cities restaurants have committed to only serving sustainably caught seafood. Both Sea Change, which was founded as a sustainable seafood restaurant, and Oceanaire are among those restaurants.

Event Details:
Monday, Feb. 27 from 6:30 – 9:30 pm

Location:
Kitchen in the Market at Midtown Global Market
920 E. Lake Street in Minneapolis

Tickets cost $60 per person, and a percentage of proceeds will benefit the Minnesota Zoo.
To purchase tickets, call 612-568-5486.

On a dark winter evening this past January, the MNFoodBloggers made a return trip to Heidi's - the icy, slush covered patio event of last spring a distant memory. Stewart and Heidi Woodman welcomed us through the back door, right into the bustling kitchen.

Why did we come in the back door, you ask? Oh, no big deal - just that Brother Ali was filming a music video in the bar area and we'd all be hanging out, drinking and eating fantastic food while all that was going on. You know, typical Monday night. I can't even begin to describe the good vibes and happy energy of the night. Stewart laid out an incredible spread (photos to follow) that we happily loaded up our plates and then snuck seconds and thirds. I think most of us could have even survived fourths of the oxtail ravioli. Heidi could have doned heels and a white apron, she was such a charming hostess - making the rounds and taking drink orders. Rest assured not a single glass was empty the whole night.

And, most importantly, the MNFoodBloggers and Heidi's teamed up to raise several hundred dollars for Sojourner, where the mission is to provide safe shelter for women and children as well as advocacy and education for individuals and communities victimized by domestic violence. Read Stewart's person account of why he supports Sojorner here - and please consider making your own gift to an organization that does very important and amazing work.

Thank you to Stewart and Heidi, and of course, Stephanie Meyer, for throwing one heck of a party. Also, thanks to Brother Ali for letting us crash the video shoot. Watch the full video at the end of those post and you'll spot many familiar faces!

pickled papya and microgreens on crispy papardelle - tasted like a bite of summer or a caribbean island

Heidi, being the hostess with the mostess

gorgeous lamb meatballs with cilantro pesto - so addictive!

crab cakes

blogger ladies - with their wine and nosh

Heidi sampling some ginseng vodka, courtesy of Will Hsu

Keith, in anticipation of some of the best foie gras any of us will ever have

Stewart, getting "high" with the seasoning

The infamous foie, before it was ravaged

Foie, after the devastation. Stephanie turned around a screamed when she saw the carnage - barely a bite left!

What do you think the ladies are thinking as Stewart is giving his spiel?

Adam (and Crystal!), being a VERY bad influence and distributing tasty apple pie moonshine to the bloggers

Brother Ali chatting with the Morioka's before the cameras roll

Molly and the rose have a very tight bond

The stunning Miwas, straight from the senior prom

This is what happens when you have a lot of people drinking late into the night - snack time!

And finally - THE VIDEO! Shine on by Brother Ali

Read other accounts of the night:

EAT.DRINK.LIFE.LOVE

Blogger: Amy Peterson
Blog: Green Your Plate
Twitter handle: @amybpeterson

The MN Food Bloggers is a community of some pretty awesome people. We blog. We cook. We grow. We dine. And now every month, we’ll turn the spotlight on a fellow blogger and learn about their love of all things Minnesota and all things food!

1.    What was your first stand-out food experience?

I’ll share two: My grandma was a big influencer in my love for food. Whenever we arrived at her house for a visit, there were usually freshly made caramel rolls or her special chocolate cake waiting for us. She made her own bread on a weekly basis and she always shared bits of the leftover bread dough and pie crust scraps with us kids. I remember sitting around her kitchen table with my sister at an early age, making designs out of the dough and sprinkling cinnamon sugar over everything. We felt pretty special. When you cook for friends and family, it’s a way of sharing your love for them.

My most memorable restaurant meal was at Aquavit around 2000 when Marcus Samuelsson was head chef. For my office holiday outing, we chose to do the Chef’s Table with the eight-course tasting menu (in reality, it turned out to be 10 courses). It was my first “kitchen table” experience at a restaurant and one of the first tasting menus I’d had. With Marcus personally waiting on us and wines paired with each course, it was truly phenomenal. It made me appreciate how talented chefs can create magical experiences.

2.    What inspired you to start blogging? When did you start?

I started my blog in March 2009 as a way to share ideas for what I was doing with my CSA share, and, more broadly, to document how I was trying to shift my habits to a more sustainable way of eating. Green Your Plate has evolved a bit over time, but the focus is still on local, seasonal foods and grapples with the million-dollar question: how does a person shift their food and lifestyle habits onto a healthier path while living a busy life?

I love learning and sharing knowledge with others. My intent is for Green Your Plate to be an informational resource; through my blog I hope to influence people to think about their food choices and inspire people to cook more at home.

3.    What is/was your favorite food event to attend, and why?

The Minnesota Food Bloggers get-togethers are always a fun time — so many passionate, interesting people who love to eat, drink and talk food, all in one room. Such a buzz!

4.    Tell us your most fun food story.

I studied abroad in the UK during my junior year of college. After I arrived in northern England, I realized some of the foods that I took for granted like maple syrup and peanut butter were not readily available in British grocery stores. In particular, I loved to bake cookies and at that time you couldn’t find chocolate chips anywhere. I had my mom ship me a jumbo jar of Toll House chocolate chips and I baked chocolate chip cookies for all of my new English friends and housemates. They loved it!

5.    What advice do you have for anyone interested in getting into food blogging?

• Pace yourself for blogging: Slow and steady wins the race — it is more important to focus on quality and consistency of posting than quantity.
• Work on your photography skills. Food blogs are very visually driven and you’ll attract more readers with good quality photos. You don’t have to have a DSLR camera but it certainly helps to boost your photo sharpness. Always shoot in natural light if possible, and good composition makes all the difference.
• Make sure you have a blog Facebook page and get on Twitter. Readers have different preferences for how they follow blogs and some tend to prefer hanging out on certain Internet venues over others (e.g. primarily hang out on Facebook or Twitter). Facebook is great for the smaller network feel and in-depth discussions you can have. Twitter is great for quickly spreading your content beyond your immediate network / readership and developing relationships with other bloggers.
• Get to know other bloggers. Blogging can be a solitary pursuit and it’s wonderful to meet people face-to-face if possible. Think of other bloggers as collaborators rather than competitors. Generously cross-promote their content if you like it.

6.    Give us 5 tips — anything from cooking to blogging to restaurants to life in general!

1. Just do it. Whatever “it” is, pursue it if it’s important to you. Don’t just talk about it — take action. You’ll amaze yourself with the things you can do once you put your mind to it.
2. Operate with high integrity — your reputation is everything. Don’t take other peoples’ recipes or photos or other content without asking for permission. Give credit to others who have influenced you.
3. Be patient — with others and most of all with yourself. (This is something I have to keep reminding myself, too.) In terms of blogging, it can take a long time to build up an audience and develop your voice as a writer. Enjoy the process.
4. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to try new things, both in the kitchen (new ingredients, equipment, cooking techniques) and life in general. That is how you learn and grow.
5. Do what you love! Your passion will inspire others.

Share your food blogging experience with us! If you would like to have the spotlight shine on you and your blog, send a tweet over to @GourmetGlee using our hashtag #MNfoodbloggers or email micki@gourmetglee.com.

Micki Sievwright is the writer and cook behind Gourmet Glee, a food and craft beer blog bouncing between the Twin Cities and Denver. She is the former editor of the Stillwater Gazette, four-time volunteer for the Twin Cities Food Experience, two-time volunteer for the Great American Beer Festival and longtime fan of all things gourmet. Follow her on Twitter @GourmetGlee or visit GourmetGlee.com.

Minnesota Food Bloggers heated up a frigid, Minnesota morning by hosting our first educational event on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at Minnesota History Center. Bloggers, farmers, food advocates, chefs, journalists, and concerned eaters gathered to view the morning session of the live TEDxManhattan: Changing the Way We Eat webcast.

The morning session's focus was sustainability. After the viewing, Minnesota Valley Country Club executive chef, Tour de Farm founder, host of In Search of Food, and local food advocate Scott Pampuch spoke to the group about the evolution of his thoughts, menus, and purchasing decisions at his restaurant Corner Table. Scott then joined a panel discussion with Barth Anderson of Fair Food Fight, Debbie Morrison of Sapsucker Farms, and myself, moderated by Brett Olson of Renewing the Countryside, to continue the conversation as a group.

Rather than recount the specific discussions, I asked a few participants to offer their thoughts about the event. Below are those impressions, followed by a short-n-sweet video overview. I'll lead off by saying: It is a ton of work pulling together an event like this. And yet, to me it is so very worth it to feel the energy of a group of passionate, smart people in the same room, people that have good and different ideas about how to change our food system, people that want and can offer specific ideas about what to do right now. There are already plans in process for future events so if you missed this one, stay tuned (subscribe to this blog, join the Minnesota Food Bloggers Facebook page, follow @MNFoodBloggers on Twitter).

The issue of sustainable food gets debated over and over again, yet seems to get very little attention in the press. Attending this TEDxManhattan viewing party opened my eyes as a food journalist as well as a citizen of the world. The Minnesota Food Bloggers group put together a well-rounded day, including a very engaging panel discussion that left me wanting to research the topic more. Well done, and hope there are more discussions to come on the topic of food sustainability. - Adam Estrum, food writer, WCCO TV

My main take-away from Saturday's event was how MUCH the population in general still has to be informed about factory farming, GMO's, antibiotics/chemicals in "cheap" food, etc. - there really can't be too much awareness at this point! I volunteer at an after-school center in North Minneapolis and see every week what the kids there are given for their snack time and it really hit home how important it is, not only to make informed food decisions for myself, but how do I participate in helping get fresh food to where it's needed most? - Lisa Nguyen, Making Electricity

Lots of talk. All very charming. Nothing new. I came away thinking that we need to solve this problem ourselves. There was a time when we planted gardens; when we helped feed our friends and family and they helped us. We need to go back to those roots. That 'can-do' attitude was what made us Americans. We need to turn out back on Big Ag to get their attention. No only is our food dangerous, but 1 our of 4 children go hungry. Help plant a community garden or neighborhood garden with your pals. Trade that extra loaf of bread for some homemade peanut butter. Learn to can and make your own sausage - it's easy and if you do it with others, it doesn't seem like work. Open your door, your heart, and your kitchen to the world and you will make change one plate at a time. - Nicole Mary Kelby, author White Truffles in Winter

Thanks for the party Minnesota Food Bloggers! TedXManhattan brought together so many folks with different food relationships. That was powerful. The conversation was lively and honest. If they locked us in the room, gave us food and water, we could've talked for hours learning from each other and developing some awesome strategies to change the way we, Minnesotans, eat. So who wants to get together again?!?! I sure do. - Meghan Likes, National Cooperative Grocers Association

I learned so much about where I stand on food issues. By the end of the day I realized that I am an activist, and I want to make a difference in two ways: Get people healthier by eating real food and make the world a more sustainable place. I want to learn more and get involved! Everyone should! - Val Stanley, Tofu Surprise

Although all of the discussions were engaging and educational, the points that resonated deepest with me are that bacteria are becoming immune to antibiotics at a rate like never before; that 80% of all antibiotics are used in agriculture; and that instead of changing the practices that breed disease, the problem is addressed with antibiotics. The "wow" factor? The analogy photograph of human babies crammed together. - Dave Ostlund, Direct Line Services

It's unbelievable to think that we live and participate in a community where a conversation of this magnitude can take place on this scale. It's undeniably special that we have people here who are extremely knowledgeable and that they are willing to share that knowledge with all those who seek it. It's through these events, these people, that the information surrounding our broken food system will start to gain weight. - Keane Amdahl, Food Stoned

I loved that you guys provided this opportunity to not only view the morning session, but have a discussion about it. Dr. Rangan once again blew me away with her ability to connect to us on the level. She's brilliant and we need to hear more from her. Wenonah was powerful as well and immediately had me reassessing my purchasing. The 11-year old seemed too gimmicky, too coached. My 11-year old thought it was cool though. - Josh Nelson, Minnesota Zoo, Fish Smart Program

It was inspiring for me to see so many passionate people who really want to make a difference in changing the way we eat. The food system is broken, but we as individuals have lots of choices. By making one small choice at a time, we can collectively make a huge difference. As a small-scale farmer, I am thrilled to see such tremendous support for the work that we do. - Debbie Morrison, Sapsucker Farms

I really liked when the first audience question was asked: Are there ways to get good food into low income "food deserts?" I jumped in saying, "If we're going to talk about food access, then, first, we gotta talk about price," and half the audience started nodding YES, and from there we went right into classicism and the failings of capitalism, and I remember thinking, Wow, these people are eagerly willing to talk about revolution and food on a freezing Saturday morning? This is so totally my crowd. - Barth Anderson, Fair Food Fight

For me an event like TEDxManhattan is like sharing a great meal with friends - I'm nourished by so many people believing in similar things meeting each other, seeing possibilities. So who are we inviting to the next meal? - Scott Pampuch, Minnesota Valley Country Club, Tour de Farm, In Search of Food

Huge thanks to Minnesota History Center, Minnesota Monthly magazine, and TCFoodFinds. Thanks also to Meghan Likes and Molly McNeil for taking photographs (see them all here on Facebook), and to Nick Zdon for the video below.

Read more:

Fair Food Fight
Food Stoned
At Escoffier's Table

TEDxManhattan: Changing the Way We Eat Viewing, Panel Discussion & Reception from Minnesota Food Bloggers on Vimeo.

Join the Lymphoma Research Foundation for an evening of tastings from top Twin Cities chefs. All proceeds benefit LRF. The 2011 event raised more than $115,000 for research and we are looking forward to another fun night at the Depot in Minneapolis in 2012.

Event Details:
Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012
6:00 - 7:30pm Cocktails & Silent Auction
7:45 - 8:15pm Program
8:15 - 9:45pm Dining Experience

Location:
The Depot
Minneapolis, MN

For more information, a sneak peak of the menu and to purchase tickets, visit the Lymphoma Research Foundations event page: HERE

Blogger:  Kelly Branscomb
Blog: Small Serving
Twitter handle: @SmallServing

The MN Food Bloggers is a community of some pretty awesome people. We blog. We cook. We grow. We dine. And now every month, we’ll turn the spotlight on a fellow blogger and learn about their love of all things Minnesota and all things food!

1. What was your first stand-out food experience?

Cooking Thanksgiving at my grandma’s house when I was young. I can remember her teaching me how to make the dishes that would be served every Thanksgiving.  My first responsibility was mashed potatoes. I couldn’t wait for the potatoes to cook in the turquoise blue pot of boiling water so I could drain them, mash them up with milk and butter, and spoon them into the bowl that would be passed around the table for everyone to enjoy. I would dream of the day she would teach me to make her endive salad that everyone loved. It wasn’t until I think I was in my 20s that she finally taught me how to make it. I still remember all of the aromas lofting in the kitchen and the taste of each bit food whenever we cooked together; Thanksgiving will always my favorite.

2.  What inspired you to start blogging? When did you start?

When I started my blog in March 2011 it was because I had been posting pictures and recipes of the food I make on Facebook; friends often comment about how much they love them, but they follow it up with “You make that for just yourself?” I am a single gal with a passion for good food and I love to cook. I wanted to share my passion for good food with other singles (and everyone else) because being single doesn't mean you have to eat those dreaded boxed meals or only eating takeout and fast foods.

I have always had a passion for cooking and entertaining. My family and friends tell me I should open a restaurant or work on getting my own TV show; both take time, money, and the right connections. On October 13, 2011, I attended the 2011 Communications Day for the St. Paul Archdiocese. The final speaker of the day was Lou Carbone, President and CEO of Experience Engineering. He started his presentation stating that he came to Minnesota to work on the global branding of 3M and Target; this was after he worked with Disney. It was at the end of his presentation that I heard the words that fit with what I was trying to do with my life: "I try to make a difference in people's lives in small ways." It was if God was speaking to me saying this is really why you were here today. This was the point where I realized I could change Small Serving from a food blog about cooking for singles, to a page that encompasses the talent God gave whether it is food, event planning, tips, reviews or other creative ideas.

3. What is/was your favorite food event to attend, and why?

My favorite food event to attend are all the events we have as the Minnesota Food Bloggers. The first event I attended was June 2011 at The Local in Minneapolis. I was a bit intimidated at first because I went alone and didn’t know anyone. I was amazed at the amount of knowledge people had, but I quickly found that everyone is willing to share. I have learned so much about various restaurants (I have a long list to try of recommendations from fellow bloggers), local chefs, recipe ideas and even foods I do not usually cook with that I want to try. It is a great way to sample local restaurants and talk to other people who write and/or are passionate about food. I have made a lot of new friends who are always available for recommendations, feedback, or going out to try someplace new. One tip for attending food blogger events, when they put the food out do not start eating it until people have photographed it.

4. Tell us your most fun food story.

After starting my blog I started using Twitter (@SmallServing), I think it was to follow one of my friend’s company but I then started following all sorts of people (friends, celebrities, chefs, businesses, etc.). I was surprised to find out people want to follow me.

One chef I started following was John Besh from New Orleans. I was giddy with excitement when he started following me too. I will tweet my blog posts and was shocked (and again giddy with excitement) when he responded to my post about Chicken and Smoked Sausage Gumbo and asked how it turned out. He has commented back about a few of his dishes I have made.

My passion for John Besh goes back to when I was introduced to him, via television, when he completed on Season 1 of "The Next Iron Chef" on the Food Network. He was my pick to win from the first episode; Michael Symon defeated him in the final round to win the title. I liked his style. His Southern charm and seemingly laid back personality combined with incredible skill makes him the type of guy you would want to hang out with and cook. Two of my favorite cookbooks are his books “My New Orleans” and “My Family Table;” they are such stunning books I actually keep them on my coffee table. One of my goals for 2012 is to go to New Orleans and cook with John Besh.

5. What advice do you have for anyone interested in getting into food blogging?

Do it!  Write what you are passionate about. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Let it be a work in progress. Read other food blogs to find ones you like and follow (but don’t copy) them. Local magazines and newspapers often have a contributing writer that blogs about food. Go to local food events, whether they are tastings, classes, or blogger events. Don’t be afraid to go alone, you will quickly meet people there that share your passion. Don’t forget your camera, bloggers love to take pictures. If you do post pictures of someone’s food make sure the picture is a good representation of that food; if it isn’t, don’t use it. There are a number of free sites to use to write blogs; I use BlogSpot. I find it easy to use and I have taught myself a lot in the past few months.

6. Give us 5 tips—anything from cooking to blogging to restaurants to life in general!

1. Eat local! I have had the opportunity to travel all over the world; I research the local food scene before leaving on a trip. When I arrive at my destination I talk to the local residents about their favorite places and get recommendations. When I am at home I like to eat at local restaurants and stay away from chains.
2. Go it alone! Do not be afraid to dine alone. Many people are hesitant or even afraid to step into a restaurant alone to dine. I am not one of those people. I find the best spot is often at the bar; you often have more attention from the bartender and it is easy to strike up a conversation with people around you.
3. Try it! I am a firm believer in trying food at least once (just ask my niece and nephews). I am not a fan of fish and seafood, but I can say that I have tried it. In the kitchen I am not afraid to try a recipe. If you are unsure about a recipe you are using for the first time and you want to impress people, try making it before serving it to make sure you are comfortable with the recipe.
4. Read it! When I pick up a cookbook for the first time I do a quick flip through the pages to look at recipes. Do they show pictures? How are they written? What types of ingredients are used? Do I see recipes I would make from this book? Once I buy a new cookbook I read it like I would any other book - front to back. Find out why the book was written, you may gain insight to the writer’s style or favorite recipes. I write the date I make a recipe and any notes about it right on the page.
5. Explore! Become a tourist in your own area and try new places. Set a goal to try one or two new restaurants per month. Check local papers, magazines, social networks, etc. to find places. Try eating something new at each of those restaurants; ask the staff or chef for recommendation.Try different types of places to eat (food trucks, ethnic, vegetarian, brew pubs, etc.). While you are there don’t only try new food, try new beverages (local beers or wine, and craft style cocktails).

Share your food blogging experience with us! If you would like to have the spotlight shine on you and your blog, send a tweet over to @GourmetGlee using our hashtag #MNfoodbloggers or email micki@gourmetglee.com.

Micki Sievwright is the writer and cook behind Gourmet Glee, a food and craft beer blog bouncing between the Twin Cities and Denver. She is the former editor of the Stillwater Gazette, four-time volunteer for the Twin Cities Food Experience, two-time volunteer for the Great American Beer Festival and longtime fan of all things gourmet. Follow her on Twitter @GourmetGlee or visit GourmetGlee.com.

2012 Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota Annual Conference:
Keeping the ‘Family ’ in Family Farming

When/Where: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 18, Gorecki Center, College of Saint Benedict, St. Joseph

Why: Meet the movers and shakers in Minnesota sustainable agriculture and hear keynote speaker Val Farmer, an expert on rural mental health issues

Workshops include: Farm Transitions; Meat Processing in Minnesota; Beginning Farmer Curriculum; Diet, Stress & Health; Vegetable & Meat Quality; and Raw Milk Research

Also on tap: Four culinary sessions with local chefs and a local wine and cheese tasting

The SFA Annual Conference is vital for anyone interested in local food and sustainable agriculture.

Want to attend? The first 10 MN Food Bloggers to sign up get in free.
Contact Jason Walker at jason@sfa-mn.org to get your discount code.

More information: www.sfa-mn.org

Wine Lunch Saturdays

Each month, from October through May, The Cellar's Wine and Spirits Wine Education goes on the road to some of the best Chef driven restaurants in the Twin Cities. Wine Lunches are always held on a Saturday and always start at Noon. Costs may vary slightly from one restaurant to the other but the typical offering is: 4 courses, 4 wines (or more) for $40!

The next wine lunch, on February 4th, will be held at:
Vincent - A Restaurant
(On the mall in downtown MPLS)
(612) 630-1189 for reservations

The Cellars Wine & Spirits

Vincent - A Restaurant

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a traditionally an Italian Christmas Eve meal that includes seven dishes served family style. Sea Change is putting its own unique twist on The Feast of the Seven Fishes by holding a special seven fishes wine dinner on Monday, January 30. Chef Tim McKee and Chef de Cuisine Jamie Malone will prepare a a family-style meal paired with wines selected by Sea Change Sommelier Bill Summerville.

Feast of The Seven Fishes at Sea Change
Monday, January 30
6 pm Reception
6:30 pm Dinner Service

Dinner Menu:
1st Course
Oysters with Horseradish Snow and Finger Limes
Fried Boccaronnes/Bone Marrow/Pimenton

2nd Course
Smoked Sardine Salad/Artichokes/Piquillo
Egg Yolk and Brandade Ravioli/Bagna Cauda/Tomato
Served with Warm Bread with Anchovy Butter

3rd Course
Salt Baked Whole Stripped Bass
Whole Grilled Arctic Char
Clams/Turnips/Fingerlings/Ruttabega
Served with Condiments to share

Dessert will also be served

Details:
$85 per person
Limited seating
Reservations required
Call: 612-225-6499

Sea Change Minneapolis

2 GINGERS IRISH WHISKEY - Officially Official Launch Party

A night of joyful banter, mixology, music, comedy, and dance - EXCLUSIVELY for the industry that makes the world go 'round (read: spin).

2 GINGERS may be distilled in Ireland, but our reputation is made in Minnesota. We'll be celebrating the first of many glasses tippled together, and our launch to the state we call home.

This event is FREE, with drinks included, and open to all service industry folks and their friends. STRICTLY 21+

Event Details:
Sunday, January 22, 2012
7:30pm - 1:00am

The Brave New Workshop Theatre
824 Hennepin Ave. Mpls, MN 55403

Facebook

2 Gingers Website

TEDxManhattan: Changing the Way We Eat, is a full day of talks broken into three sessions—Issues, Impact, and Innovation—exploring the state of our food system and our progress toward sustainability.

Please join the Minnesota Food Bloggers for a webcast viewing of the morning session, live from New York City, on Saturday, January 21, 2012, followed by a discussion and reception.

Event Details:

Minnesota History Center Irvine Room

9:00- 9:30 am Registration

9:30-11:00 am TEDxManhattan morning session webcast

11:00 am -12:00 pm Talk/discussion with
Minnesota Valley Country Club Executive Chef,
host of In Search of Food (airing spring 2012), and
local food advocate Scott Pampuch

1:00-2:00 pm Reception

RSVP ONLINE HERE

Stewart and Heidi Woodman, chef/owners of Heidi's 2.0, invite the Minnesota Food Bloggers for a 2.0 gathering from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Monday, January 30, 2012. (Click to register!)

The $10 ticket fee will be donated to Sojourner Project women's shelter www.sojournerproject.org. Thank you to Heidi's for generously donating 100% of the ticket proceeds to charity.

Maybe it will even be cold outside?! That's the assumption, so be ready for appetizers, braised bits, playing in the kitchen, cash bar, and fun!

You are welcome (and encouraged!) to bring cameras and phones and tweet during the event: @HeidisMpls @MNFoodBloggers #MNFoodBloggers #braisedbitsandwhisky

www.heidismpls.com

Register on EventBrite!

Questions? Email Stephanie Meyer meyer.stephanie.a@gmail.com or DM @FreshTartSteph. See you January 30!

(Thanks to Chris Ann of the LoveFeast Life blog for the photo!)

The MN Food Bloggers is a community of some pretty awesome people. We blog. We cook. We grow. We dine. And now every month, we’ll turn the spotlight on a fellow blogger and learn about their love of all things Minnesota and all things food!

Blogger: Matt Weber

Blog: Thyme In Our Kitchen

Twitter handles: @thymeinrkitchen

1. What was your first stand-out food experience?

When I was eight years old, I decided to make some taffy while my parents were out. I substituted vegetable oil for the corn syrup and failed miserably but I realized how much I loved cooking and challenging myself to make new things.

2. What inspired you to start blogging?

I use the Internet a ton to research things to make and I was always forgetting where I found a recipe when I wanted to make it again. I started blogging primarily as a way to record what I made and share it with family and friends. My first post went up in June 2010.

3. What is/was your favorite food event to attend, and why?

I honestly haven’t really ever attended a food event other than the MN Food Blogger events, which of course would be my favorite thing to attend anyway. I love getting together with other people that love to eat and cook and just talk all night!

4.    Tell us your most fun food story.

When I was 12, I got to help a family friend take their yacht from Alaska back to Seattle. I spent a week enjoying the beautiful scenery and I got to cook food for everyone each day. Cooking in a galley was a great experience and I got to pick out fresh food at each harbor to cook for the group.

5. What advice do you have for anyone interested in getting into food blogging?

Just start and unless you’re doing it professionally, don’t push yourself too hard. I enjoy blogging but I don’t want to burn myself out or make it less enjoyable so I don’t hold myself to any schedule. I post when I want and just enjoy the journey!

6. Give us 5 tips—anything from cooking to blogging to restaurants to life in general!

1. Push yourself to try new things. You never know what you’ll like!
2. Make time for the things that are truly important in your life. Everything else will fit in or fall off.
3. Get to know the people who cook your food. I have had so much fun getting to know new chefs and especially food truck owners this year!
4. Learn from the other bloggers in this group. I have learned so much from them and gained so many new friends.
5. Forget about trends and what other people think. Cook and eat when, where and how you want and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Share your food blogging experience with us! If you would like to have the spotlight shine on you and your blog, send a tweet over to @GourmetGlee using our hashtag #MNfoodbloggers or email micki@gourmetglee.com.

Micki Sievwright is the writer and cook behind Gourmet Glee, a food and craft beer blog bouncing between the Twin Cities and Denver. She is the former editor of the Stillwater Gazette, four-time volunteer for the Twin Cities Food Experience, two-time volunteer for the Great American Beer Festival and longtime fan of all things gourmet. Follow her on Twitter @GourmetGlee or visit GourmetGlee.com.

19th ANNUAL MUDDY PAWS CHEESECAKE SAMPLING EVENT

This event is open to the public and FREE with a donation of a new, unwrapped toy and/or an unopened bag of pet food (Partner: Pet Project)

ALL DONATED ITEMS WILL SERVE 'STEP' (Serving Families in Crisis), The Pet Project and Perspectives Kids.

Attendees will get to sample several flavors of the Twin Cities best cheesecake while shopping the Holiday Bazaar chock full of local products, services and yummy treats, sipping tea and listening to live music by local artists who have donated their time. ....all to help some great causes!

This year we'll have the first ever Green Room for those Twitter users too!

RSVP is not required but it does help! For more details and to RSVP, please go to our Facebook page or public invite link: HERE

Event Details:

Tuesday November 29th, 4:00-8:30pm

Location:
Muddy Paws Cheesecake
7600 W 27th Street - Commons B
St Louis Park, 55426

Sponsors: Muddy Paws Cheesecake, Traveling Photo Booth, SNAP Social Media, Midway Party Rental and Studio Laguna Photography

Chef Iyer recently launched the Turmeric Trail line of roasted spice blends with four signature blends to represent four distinct regions in India; Madras Masala, Mumbai Masala, Garam Masala and Chai Masala. The handcrafted, roasted blends were created by Chef Iyer to allow everyday cooks to easily incorporate the spirit and flavors of India in their home kitchens.

Event Details:

Saturday, November 19th, 6:30pm

Location:
Kitchen in the Market
Midtown Global Market
920 East Lake Street #107
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Raghavan will demonstrate how to give a classic Thanksgiving meal a fun and delicious twist while guests enjoy the following menu:

Spiced Lamb Chops with Mumbai Masala
Mashed Potatoes with Madras Masala
Cranberry Relish with Chai Masala
Spinach and Golden Raisins with Garam Masala

Also featuring; Summit Extra Pale Ale, Summit India Pale Ale, and Summit Horizon Red.

These hoppy and spicy brews will pair nicely with the food. You'll find more citrus elements in the EPA and Red, and more earthy/caramel/spice in the IPA.

$35 per person

To purchase tickets, click here http://www.turmerictrail.com/events-pg

The MN Food Bloggers is a community of some pretty awesome people. We blog. We cook. We grow. We dine. And now, twice a month, we’ll turn the spotlight on a fellow blogger and learn about their love of all things Minnesota and all things food!

Blogger: Monique Volz

Blog: Ambitious Kitchen

Twitter handles: @moniquevolz and @ambitiouskitch

1.    What was your first stand-out food experience?

Honestly, I’ve loved food all of my life. My Dad loved to cook and bake. Good soul food made with love and laughter is better than any restaurant could offer in my opinion. I love the flavors, experiences and stories you can create with food. Food brings people together and never fails to create a memorable story. That is truly one of my favorite things.

2.    What inspired you to start blogging?

During my senior year of college, I started baking and cooking more for myself and friends. It became a passion. Any free time I had was always devoted to baking a good banana bread or cooking healthy meals for myself. I was always talking about food, and so I wanted to be able to share my “sweet delights and healthy bites” with more than just my friends and family. My college roommates really encouraged me. Starting my blog is one of my biggest accomplishments.

3.    What is/was your favorite food event to attend, and why?

I love the Minnesota Monthly Food & Wine Show that takes place every year. I like to learn about new products, restaurants and wine. Plus, it was SO amazing last year at Target Field. Everyone should go this year!

4.    Tell us your most fun food story.

You should read my blog, there might be some fun food stories in there.

5.    What advice do you have for anyone interested in getting into food blogging?

Just do it! It doesn’t have to be pretty at first. If you are truly passionate about what you are making it will show through your pictures and/or words. A true “foodie” never runs out of things to say or make! Create a niche for your blog, and always be yourself—people will love you for it.

6.    Give us 5 tips—anything from cooking to blogging to restaurants to life in general!

1. Eat at small cafes and restaurants for really good food. Avoid chains. Seek out the unusual.
2. Subscribe and read food blogs or magazines—then get inspired to create your own meals and start cooking more.
3. Ask for advice anytime you need it if you are interested in food blogging. People are always willing to help others with their passions.
4. If you have a blog, tell everyone you know about it. Seriously even people you meet once. Word of mouth marketing and social media are key to followers.
5. Don’t get discouraged! You’ll get the hang of it. I promise!

Share your food blogging experience with us! If you would like to have the spotlight shine on you and your blog, send a tweet over to @GourmetGlee using our hashtag #MNfoodbloggers or email micki@gourmetglee.com.

Micki Sievwright is the writer and cook behind Gourmet Glee, a food and craft beer blog bouncing between the Twin Cities and Denver. She is the former editor of the Stillwater Gazette, four-time volunteer for the Twin Cities Food Experience, two-time volunteer for the Great American Beer Festival and longtime fan of all things gourmet. Follow her on Twitter @GourmetGlee or visit GourmetGlee.com.

Via the Fair Farm Bill Campaign:

Fair Farm Bill Campaign Community Kickoff Meeting

On Wednesday, September 21st from 7-8pm there will be a Fair Farm Bill Campaign community meeting at Bethany Lutheran Church, 2511 E Franklin Avenue in Seward. The meeting will be hosted by Food and Water Watch, a nonprofit working for healthy, sustainable food for all.

The goal of the Minneapolis Fair Farm Bill Campaign is to pressure Senator Klobuchar to support the 2008 Fair Farm Rules, which protect the profits of Minnesota's small farmers by creating a fair marketplace in which they can compete. The Fair Farm Rules also ensure that safe, healthy, and sustainable food options will remain on the shelves for consumers. Unfortunately, large agricultural companies lobbied successfully to kill the Fair Farm Rules. Senator Klobuchar sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee and has the power to stand up for small farmers, but she has yet to take a stance on the issue. We need to organize in support of small farmers and make our voices heard by Senator Klobuchar. Attend the community meeting on Wednesday, September 21st to learn how the Fair Farm Rules protect farmers and consumers, and to take action on behalf of Minnesota's farming backbone. All are welcome.

Contact: Will Mathewson at william@greencorps.org or 716.725.1076 if interested.