I flew to Portland to attend the International Food Bloggers Conference, and I came home with plenty of stories and inspiration.
This trip was my first time traveling alone, so I admit I was nervous. The flight itself added to the adventure — a propeller plane that felt a lot smaller than the jets I’m used to. It turned out to be an interesting experience and a chance to connect with fellow passengers. By the time we landed, I was relieved and ready for the conference.
The event opened with a warm welcome followed by a lively food-tasting and live-blogging session featuring Oregon producers. Each vendor had about five minutes to introduce their product, let us sample it, and give us time to photograph and share it on social media or our blogs before the next vendor arrived. It was like speed dating, but with food. We sampled local beers, chocolates, fresh canned tuna, sushi, jams, jellies, and salted caramel — a delicious parade of flavors.
One memorable moment was meeting John from Fishes Sushi, who asked, “Does anyone like Sriracha?” The answer from our table was obvious and enthusiastic.
We wrapped up the first day with even more food: a wine reception hosted by Washington County, Oregon, followed by the Taste of Oregon and Gourmet Fair. Everywhere you looked there were tasty offerings. There was also a generous gift suite filled with sponsor swag.
One striking demonstration that evening was a live butchering demo sponsored by the National Pork Board. A skilled demonstrator walked us through the steps while wielding a very sharp knife — a practical, if slightly intense, lesson.
On day two I attended sessions on technology and writing led by respected bloggers such as Tori Avey, Gabi Moskowitz, Kelly Senyei, and Keren Brown. The presentations were engaging and packed with actionable advice. I was so absorbed that I didn’t reach for my camera once — a sign of how compelling the speakers were. Their practical tips and insights left me energized and ready to implement new ideas.
That evening we attended a Farm-to-Table Dinner hosted by Wildwood Restaurant and Oregon Wine. The four-course meal was thoughtfully paired with local wines and showcased seasonal ingredients. We began with a tuna paté crostini, followed by a three-bean salad with basil purée. The main course featured jerk-spiced Draper Valley chicken with black quinoa, balsamic-roasted strawberries, and grilled pineapple. Dessert was a shortbread tart topped with Oregon blackberries. Every course felt fresh, local, and expertly prepared.
The third and final day was the highlight I’d been looking forward to: a photography workshop and live cooking demo with New York Times food photographer Andrew Scrivani and Chef John of FoodWishes. Their chemistry made the demo both informative and entertaining. They prepared white gazpacho, super-crispy onion rings, and shrimp scampi while sharing tips on lighting, composition, and plating. I even had a chance to hand my camera to Andrew and ask a few questions, hoping some of his expertise would rub off on me.
Although the conference schedule was packed, I did manage a few hours to explore Portland and catch up with my sister Linda and her husband Bill, who moved there after retiring. I also plan to share a recipe from Linda’s kitchen soon — a little taste of our family time in Portland.
The conference was an eventful, inspiring trip to a vibrant city, and I left feeling grateful to the organizers, sponsors, and fellow attendees who made it so special. Next year’s conference will be held in Seattle, and they’re offering a discounted blogger rate for attendees.