I Left My Heart, in San Francisco!

You all remember the song..."I left my heart in San Francisco?"...or I left my heart at the 3rd Annual Blogger Festival, in SAN FRANCISCO//NOV 4-6, 2011... hosted by Foodbuzz!

For the last 3 months, I've been planning to join this exciting event, since I missed the 1st and the 2nd event for the last 2 years. It was a sudden decision for me, but once I decided to attend, there was no "backing out." Besides, my food blogger friend Joanna, of ChicGorgeous told me that she is planning to attend, all the way from Malaysia, and asked if I would like to be "roomies" with her to split the cost. After all, the Grand Hyatt Hotel, at a great discount, and split by two people is more affordable, and very luxurious!

The fifth building from the left, on the 17th floor, is where we stayed, overlooking the most beautiful view of the city, and a portion of the Bay, Very elegant, and I must say a perfect room assigned to us with a fabulous view!
Such an amazing place to hold the 3rd Annual Blogger Festival.

So, this is the spectacular view from the Grand Hyatt Hotel, from the 17th floor. You can see a glimpse of the Bay, behind the skyscraper buildings. As for the weather...around 61 degrees F in the daytime, and about 47-51 at night, wind blowing every day. A little "nippy" for this Florida girl! Good thing I packed a warm light jacket, sweater, and the best...my trusty little windbreaker light coat, that really protects you from wind, and rain, which we also experienced, and sunshine, as well!

Another view from our room, through the full length window... one of my favorite stores, Macy's, staring right at me! So far, I'm just showing you the immediate view, as we settled in our hotel...wait till you see all the foods, provided by the Foodbuzz team, Alexia, and Godiva Coffee!

Spacious large room, with 2 Queen size beds, a large flats screen T.V, and the view!...did I mention the view?...of course I did...just cannot get over the magnificent view!

My beautiful friends...Gina from SPCookiequeen, and my roommate, and friend. Joanna from ChicGorgeous

Our first stop was at the Terra Gallery, for the Welcome Reception, to meet up with all the attending foodies, and start out the feast with appetizers, and an open bar. I just stayed with my Chardonnay wine. Such a great turnout for this event!

Endless appetizers, fresh veggie crudities, and dips. This is where people were mingling around! You might recognize a few people in some of these photos!

Here we are having all these fabulous dinners upstairs. This is from the Comfort food station...sponsored by Electrolux. Tuscan Beef Stew, with Honey Cornbread!

Housemade Beet Ravioli, Wild Arugula, Fine Herbs, with Shaved Holly Springs Aged Goat Cheese...Yumm! This was to "die for" delicious!

This is one of my favorite photos...waiters bringing endless food, and some of the bloggers self serving, at the Buffet Station!

This is the "small plates" Action Station, serving Glazed Marin Sun Farms Pork Belly, and Pan-Seared Day Boat Scallops.

Glazed Marin Sun Farms Pork Belly...Broccoli Puree, Wood Roasted Florets, Pickled Shiitakes and  Chile Morita Vinaigrette.

Chefs, plating the small plates with the Glazed Pork Belly!

Jennifer Che (Tiny Urban Kitchen) winner of the 2010 Project Food Blog Competition...with some encouraging words!

This has been part of Day 1...haven't even shown you the dessert station from the Foodbuzz Awards Dinner yet. I will be posting it tomorrow! It's getting very late, I'm still tired from the trip, and the 3hr time difference, which really isn't too much!
All in all, I can't seem to stop talking about my trip, and the Foodbuzz people for making this event so successful, and thanking all the sponsors as well, for their generosity to participate in the 3rd Annual Blogger Festival. Also, I am so sorry for not being able to comment to my food blogger friends, since I was so busy enjoying the festivities and meet up with my food blogger friends, and getting to know new bloggers, as well!
I am so glad to be back in my little S. Florida city...no sky scraper building here...among other strange but interesting things I noticed in San Francisco, which is not food related!
Will catch up with more, in at least 3 parts...Nite, nite!

Electrolux, and Kelly Ripa Confidential Tea Party Event

Electrolux, and Kelly Ripa are hosting a tea party, and I as a proud Featured Publisher would like to host my own tea party the the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.
Electrolux will donate $1. to the Ovarian Research Fund when I host my tea party outfit. Foodbuzz in return, will donate $50. to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund for every tea party recipe created by a Featured Publisher.
Visit the website of Kelly, @ Kelly Confidential for more information, of how you can donate to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.
For me, personally, it's an honor to participate in the memory of my own mother Ana-(aka) Anushka, who lost her battle with ovarian cancer, a long time ago.

Chocolate Chip Shortbread
adapted from Family Circle, Dec, 2008


Start out with the Basic Sugar Cookie Dough, 
and add 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips


! 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1stick) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a medium sized bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bow, beat butter, and sugar until smooth, about 2 minute. Beat in egg, and vanilla
On low speed, beat in flour mixture until just combined.  Fold in the chocolate chips.
Wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
Unwrap plastic, and press into a 9 inch round, fluted nonstick tart pan, with a removable bottom.
Score into 16 pie-shaped wedges, (be sure not to cut all the way through.)

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 25-30 minutes. Let cool before serving.

For Glaze:

Melt 3 Tablespoons seedless raspberry (I used boysenberry) preserves and drizzle over top of tart.
Cut into wedges, along the scored lines, and serve.