Minnesota Food Bloggers in 2011

Photo credit:  Joy Estelle Summers

Had you told me at this time last year that in 2011 I would:

-spend much of the year behind a camera snapping food photos,

-have the chance to meet local chefs and cookbook authors whom I admired,

-do a cooking demonstration at the Minneapolis Farmers Market,

-be recognized as a Blog of the Month by Jamie Oliver,

And most importantly,

-make dozens of new friends in 2011, super cool people who were as crazy about food as me, 

Well...I'm not sure I would have believed it. 

But that is exactly what happened this year.  Many of these opportunities came about via a local networking group called Minnesota Food Bloggers, which was started by uber-talented blogger Stephanie Meyer. 

I remember seeing a Twitter notice last December about an upcoming food blogger event in February and signing up with a bit of anxiety - would anyone talk to me? It felt intimidating.

Yet, from that first gathering, it was clear that this was a passionate group of welcoming folks who were supportive and collaborative.  We all loved to eat food, cook food and talk about food. (Not to mention, photograph food!) This was my tribe.

The Facebook group started out with around 100 members and has since grown to over 300 members (!).  There is now a Minnesota Food Bloggers website and Twitter account (@MNFoodBloggers).  Other bloggers have taken the lead in creating off-shoots of the group - Girls Big Food Night for the ladies, Guys Big Food Night for the fellas, Big Veggie Night for the veggie lovers of the group and MN Food Dudes.  

There were many official group events throughout the year, some of which I blogged about and some I did not (and sometimes I simply blogged about something connected with the event). There were other food events, that while not officially Minnesota Food Blogger gatherings, I considered to be blogger events because a blogger had organized them or so many of my food blogger friends were there.  Hundreds of dollars were raised for charities at most of these events.

At each gathering, we ate delicious food prepared by the talented chefs in the Twin Cities.

FEBRUARY: 128 Cafe

MARCH: Corner Table

APRIL:  The Local

MAY: Heidi's

MAY: Blogger Bake Sale fundraiser organized by Kate Selner

JUNE:  Rainbow Chinese

JULY: California Olive Ranch event at Cafe Levain organized by Will Hsu

JULY: Eat Ramen Help Japan fundraiser organized by Stephanie Meyer

AUGUST: Fulton Beer, Sangria and Bars Bake-Off at Stephanie Meyer's house

AUGUST: Celebrity Chef Tour / Tour de Farm dinner

DECEMBER: Lady MN Food Bloggers + Adam Vickerman at Stephanie Meyer's house

But equal in importance to the food were the people.

We were there to celebrate each others' triumphs.  Some bloggers won awards and cooking contests this year; some began freelancing in food writing, while others expanded the publications for which they create content; some started food-related businesses and others completely switched careers to work in food.

I've been excited to witness it all and cheer people on.  It's inspiring to see individuals follow their passions.

I can't wait to meet more local bloggers from this group next year.  Here's to more Minnesota Food Blogger adventures in 2012!