Taste Pavilion, and Book Signing, from Chef Tyler Florence!

As I mentioned in my previous post...here we are at the Taste Pavilion, on the second day, November 5th. at the Metreon! I happened to stop by the Alexia station to sample their delicious Sweet Potato Bites. Spicy, light and totally addictive.

Judy's Breadsticks lovesticks...all organic incredible, crispy, and so delicious!

These amazing breads are all organic, and vegan. I enjoyed the bread with cream cheese spread...had at least 3 pieces...yumm!

Lynda Najarian...Creative Director-Founder

Different kinds of fig dips featured...on the left, and right is pork tenderloin on skewers

Lettuce wraps, a huge favorite of mine...from ALASKA SURIMI SEAFOODS!

The famous Warren Pears...so sweet, and juicy!

Food tasting is not complete...unless you can have cupcakes with the creamiest swirled frosting!

I decided to check out the terrace, and of course...the VIEW!

I met some feathered friends, who were also checking out the view!

The BEST part was, Celebrity Chef, Tyler Florence...from the Food Network, signing his newest copy of his cookbook!...I missed out on getting a book...sigh!

Another magnificent view, from the terrace!...a cloudy, windy, and chilly day, but the photos turned out great!

Chef Tyler Florence came back to the Grand Hyatt Hotel where we were staying...just happened to catch him outside and asked if I could take his picture...he was ever so gracious, and said yes. He then asked me if I would like to have my picture taken with him...wow! I was not expecting that, from my all-time favorite celebrity chef from the Food Network! He is so, so creative, talented, and super laid back kind of person!

Patience is a VIRTUE...and patient, I was! I could not get through the crowd at the Book signing, to meet him in person, and unexpectedly I met him, afterwards. Later on, for the Gala Dinner, he gave us a fabulous cooking demo, that was equally laid back, and done with ease, and sheer casual, but with elegance, that only Chef Tyler Florence can do! Looks like I have more to show you of this unforgettable event!

Related articles

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• Celebrity Chef Twitter Faceoff: Michael Chiarello vs. Tyler Florence [INFOGRAPHIC] (uncork29.com)
• Creative Chefs: Tyler Florence Unveils House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year (curbed.com)

3rd Annual Blogger Festival...part 1, cont. & part 2

Well, I'm back to take you along for some more amazing foods, and desserts...speaking of which, I guess I was too busy sampling all the Sabra Chocolates, and  I realized I only took 3 dessert photos...but oh, my! I wish you could have been there to try this gorgeous, and elegant dessert!
This is a Silky Pomegranate, with Candied Kumquat and fresh Pomegranate Seeds!

Are you ready for this scrumptious dessert?...Heirloom Pumpkin Tart. A gingersnap tart shell, candied pumpkin seed nougatine, and milk chocolate crunch center! Go ahead...help yourself to one, or more. I just wish I had the recipe for you. Guess will have to google this amazing dessert, to try to make it.

First row, from left is; Colorful Christmas Macaroon, in the middle is; Chocolate-Coffee Cream Star Cookie, and another Christmas Macaroon. In the back row, Heirloom Pumpkin Tart, Creamy Italian Nougat Ganache Bites, with Marcona Almond. The last one is Mascarpone Cheesecake, with Calvados Quince, and Gingersnap Crumble...and in the middle is the one I really loved is the Silky Pomegranate!

Foodbloggers intensely listening to the announcement of the Foodbuzz Award Winners!

Food Bloggers enjoying the festivities, getting to know each other, and mostly all the fabulous foods, drinks and yummy desserts!

Wow, an actual authentic Cable car in San Francisco...just like in the movies!

Saturday, Nov. 5th. I did not sign up in time for the Session Programming. so Joanna and I were on our own to venture out in the morning and walk a short distance from our hotel, to get a light and affordable quick breakfast.

A fair warning! One thing you have to keep in mind in a big city, is all the "crazy people" and the "bums"...not legitimately "homeless."...but just the way they happened to end up this way. Sad, but true!

To think that this poor man's entire "possessions" are in this tote bag. At least he was able to get a cup of coffee!

This poor Asian elderly "bag lady"...just roaming the streets, really makes you wonder...where is her family? her children?...when is virtually unheard of elderly Asians to be abandoned as such! Maybe she doesn't have any family!

 Same cable car...picking up more people, hanging on to the pole!

Joanna, walking to the bagel shop that we finally found!

Finally found the bagel place, called; Posh Bagels. Such fantastic fresh bagels, muffins, rolls, danishes!

I chose the salted bagel, with omelet and veggies, topped with a slice of cheddar cheese. Also, a large Cappucino!
You can actually see the freshness of the yummy bagel, and the perfect omelet! By this time, it's 9:30am...this should hold me over until 1:00pm for the Taste Pavilion...can't wait...so exciting!

That's me! All bundled up, under the "paper thin" wind breaker jacket...another jacket, and scarf. It actually kept me warm! (I wanted to take photo to prove I was in San Francisco...still can't believe it!)

Back at the Grand Hyatt, and getting ready to go to the Taste Pavillion. at the Metrion!

We finally arrived at the CITY VIEW, for the Taste Pavilion! Just look at the size of this Pavilion...still early, and in another 20 minutes it started to fill up with Foodbloggers...Food Vendors were already inside, welcoming us with their incredible products, samples, and valuable coupons!

Nothing like a refreshing cocktail; a Sicilian Sunset! I did try it, and it was very good with blend of Vodka with Blood Orange infusion, Campari, Lemon Juice, Rosemary Syrup, and Club Soda!

So I will say Good Nite again...hope you enjoyed the tour...will continue tomorrow, with the Taste Pavilion, and the GALA DINNER, and Chef Tyler Florence!

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!

Reese's Peanut Butter Chip Chocolate Cookies

Now that Halloween is  over, and your little ones have their candies sorted out by the parents, just to make sure that there are no unsafe, opened candy or something suspicious in the their "goodie bags." Such a fun time of the year for kids and adults, all alike...except for early snow, as some of you have experienced it.

In the meantime, while the kids are enjoying their Halloween goodies...sparingly, for their health sake, I decide to make a large batch of these wonderful chocolate cookies, made with Hershey's Cocoa Powder, using less sugar, because the Reese's Peanut Butter Chips are just perfectly sweet; made from real peanuts and are so darn addictive, you can just snack on those Reese's chips by themselves, packed with peanutty goodness!

Now, for the big announcement! I will be leaving early...I mean real early morning, on Friday, Nov. 4th flying out, at 5:45am to the Foodbuzz Festival, in San Francisco. This is the 3rd. annual event, and it's my first time that I am attending. It is from Nov. 4th, thru Nov. 6th. I was saving my excitement until now...and now, I can hardly contain it. Finally, I will be meeting up with other food bloggers, and get to know them in person.

The sad part is that I have to leave my poor old kitty, Prince, a tall Maine Coon... who is close to 19 years old, and getting frail, otherwise he is still quite alert, and very sweet and caring. He is my "alarm clock" in the morning, and at night reminds me it's late, and makes sure I don't stay up past the 11:00 news...so funny!