For the Love of Food - NZFBA Conference

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Thursday 17th November 2011

Marinated Olives / Prawns in Cider with pickled shallots, garlic purée @ The Tasting Shed

I'm still on a high from my weekend away in Auckland for our first ever New Zealand Food Bloggers Conference. Where I was surrounded by so many creative and passionate people, it's a far cry from when I began food blogging.
In 2005 there were only 2 of us in New Zealand, soon 3 and 4. However now there are over 75 members signed into the NZFBA's website and I'm sure there are more Kiwi foodie blogs we are yet to discover.

26 of us converged at The Tasting Shed in Kumeu on Saturday morning for a full packed day of presentations, food and laughter.
I arrived in Auckland on Friday evening along with fellow presenter Jaco Swart from Christchurch and had the privilege to stay with Allison Pirrie-Mawer the brains and driving force behind the event out in the beautiful beach side town of Muriwai.

Due to nerves I started Saturday morning much earlier than I'm familiar with, Allison's sunny face soon put me at ease as we packed the final goodies into their bags and loaded up her little car.

Lemon Cheesecake Goodies from Gu / Alli brings out more bags / The Little Green Car / Attendees chat over morning tea / Here's trouble! - Sue, Alessandra, Alli and Kristina

The Tasman Sea @ Muriwai. / Jaco & Milly the Smoocher / Bread and Oil @ The Tasting Shed

Kristina and Sue made everyone feel welcome playing Santa and gifting each attendee on arrival their goodie bag chocka block full of nommy food noms.
Who would go to other conferences? Seriously food conferences have THE BEST goodies.

Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of all the loot in mine before I started separating and spreading the items throughout my luggage and/or devouring them.
However a quick recap - There were chocolates from Whittakers, Fruit leathers from Annies, Sweet slices, brownies and caramel from Loaf, Delicious Ice Teas from Teza, More Chocolate Brownies from Kokako - you can never have too much chocolate! Gravity Coffee, Christmas blend Tea, Cereals from Hubbards, Gu puds, more treats and a tote bag to hold it all from Cuisine.

Andrea from So D'Lish gave us great tips on Design, Fonts and Search Engine Optimizing - "if your viewers were bees, which flowers would they find and go for first?"

Jaco explained the benefits of social media, finding the one/s that suit you and ended with the flattering account of how we arranged our first coffee tweet up after he stole my 4sq mayorship for a local Chch foodie haven.

The lovely Alessandra had us in fits of hysteria as she gave it to us straight about more professional food writing. The ins and outs of getting a book proposal together and magazine articles after they have been under the editors knife.

Just before lunch we heard from Emma who blogs with several others in a collaboration for Fisher & Paykel's "Our Kitchen"

Romesco marinated Chicken thigh, Israeli couscous, Parsley, Harissa @ The Tasting Shed

After lunch I was part of a Q&A panel, including Sasa, Rosa, Jemma and Vanessa simply discussing our views on issues that are unique to NZ food blogging and that all frequent question.. "How do we make money?"
We didn't come up with a great answer... do you have one?

Next up Louise from Pacific Harvest presented an absolutely fascinating, educational, and for me - an utterly inspiring introduction to "Sea Vegetables" - the other seafood. With plenty of yummy tastings how could this not be a highlight of the day?! I could have listened to Louise all evening, quite happy to miss the photography workshop!

We were squeezing in every moment, so while the others went off to Coopers Creek next door for wine tastings. I continued devouring seaweed and helping Louise pack up ready for my piece on food photography and styling.

Sadly in keeping with Auckland's four seasons in one day, it had begun to rain and with limited space available inside it became a bit more of a presentation than actual workshop although we did get around the table a bit discussing the use of reflectors and diffusers - and my favourite guys at Photo & Video International had given me 2x 5'n'1 sets give away to the best looking attendees.

We wrapped the day up with those giveaways in a raffle together with other goodies from our other sponsors, I was delighted to score one of Mad Millies Cheese Kits.

Then it was time to race into town for more FOOD!! This time at "Cook the Books" in Grey Lynn, where Felicity had created loads of different tastings for us to enjoy well into the night.

It sure was a grand day out and once back in Muriwai, Alli, Phelan (Mr Pease Pudding), Jaco and I even plotted ideas into the early hours for the next one!

Below is a list of everyone who attended and their blogs, and a link to their account of the day where possible and also our generous sponsors.