Alexia Foods Cooking Demo, and Gala Dinner

When you are attending a Gala Dinner, just make sure it's actually a GALA! According to the Webster Dictionary, it is referred to, as: Festive Occasion, Celebration, Special Entertainment, and Showy...and that it was! Anything less than that would not have been the proper name for this festive occasion, hosted by Alexia Foods!

Yes, all these flavors of Alexia's fries, were served for the appetizer course, open bar, and afterwards, the Cooking Demo, by Chef Tyler Florence, and the Gala Dinner. Doesn't this sound exciting, already?...you bet it was!

Jo, and Angela munching on the yummy Alexia french fries!

Such a fabulous cocktail party...and afterwards the GALA CELEBRATION!...from left to right: Joanna, from Chic&Gorgeous, and Angela, from Fab Find Foodie, who was a finalist in the Alexia french fries creation!

Getting the stage ready for Chef Tyler Florence to demonstrate a simple, and delicious Pork Chops dish, made gourmet!...(sorry, no photo of the dish)

Watching the cooking demonstration, so amazing, Chef Tyler Florence making this simple dish with such style, grace, and so comfortable, with such ease, was so nice to watch. The did show the the dish on the large screen, but my photo turned out blurry, so I had to delete it!

The table setting was so elegant, the appetizers were divine, and starting with the first course: Bibb Lettuce Salad, with Honey Roasted Pears, Glazed Pecan, and Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette

For the Entree: Brandt Beef Farms Filet Mignon, and Meyer Lemon Roasted Prawns...Heirloom Carrots, Celery Root Puree, and Peppercorn Demi Glaze. For an entree: as amazing as this, I tend to forget that I shouldn't consume eating a lot of beef. (well, maybe once a month)...I just exceeded my limit...guilty, but a happy feeling!

For dessert: Scharffen Berger Chocolate Mousse, Sourdough Bread Pudding, and Cowgirl Creamy Cheesecake...yumm!

Totally forgot to add this photo, from the Gala Dinner held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel (not a very good photo, so dark in the room, but you can get an idea of the large turnout for this event!

...and for my dinner companions, Chef Dennis at A Culinary Journey, with Chef Dennis , and the sweet, and lovely Gina, from SPCookiequeen.

Across the table, lovely Joanna, from ChicGourgeous...whom I had the pleasure of meeting up in person, all the way from Malaysia. Now, do you see how far bloggers were willing to travel for this special 3rd Annual Blogger Festival?
A huge thanks to Foodbuzz, for making all the possible to bring so many food bloggers together!

Can't leave the photo of myself, and Chef Dennis! He is every bit of nice, as he is on his blog, Such an honor to have him as a dining companion, and to meet him for the first time!

Afterwards..."girls nite out"...upstairs from the Grand Hyatt Hotel, from the 36th floor, a final cocktail! Emily, and Gina, in the background!  Cheers!...Salute!...Salud!...Egészségedre!

Back at our hotel room...before turning in for the night, couldn't resist taking a photo of the night scene. I'm such a fanatic for view photos, and my little trusty Canon camera does take great photos in pitch darkness, as long as there are lights in the background!

This is the sunrise scene, at approx. 6:30am, Sunday, Nov. 5th...our final day for meeting up at the Farewell Brunch. I hope you don't think I'm a lunatic for taking all these photos (don't answer that.LOL) I'm an early riser, actually it was one hour ahead...changing the clocks back, 1 hr.
My next, and final Foodbuzz last event, coming up, and more photos to show you of the city, from the open two Decker tour bus!
Until then, have a wonderful day!

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

• Tyler Florence's Wayfare Tavern: An Ode to San Francisco's Barbary Coast? (gadling.com)
• 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!