FoodFash

Adventure Begins in the Kitchen

AFBA Potluck

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As soon as I walked up to Springdale Farm for the Austin Food Bloggers Alliance potluck, I took a deep breath, made a crooked little smile, and found comfort in knowing that Austin is exactly where I’m supposed to be.  That’s big life stuff right there, but on a less serious note, the farm house was completely adorable and the perfect setting for AFBA members to test out recipes for the upcoming AFBA cookbook.

After signing in, my new camera and I were pointed towards Melissa, who is leading the photography effort for the cookbook.  I walked into a dream of a kitchen that was fully stocked with blogging accessories.  One day I’ll have a spare bedroom with plenty of natural light that will serve as both studio and storage, one day!

Even better than the accessories was the side yard full of tree stumps and fire pits and textures galore.  If I lived in a house with this much character, I would have a camera permanently affixed to my face.  I had the best of times shooting all of the fabulous dishes that everyone contributed.  All of the arranging and squatting, I felt like a pro.

As far as the food was concerned, I’m not the biggest fan of, say… group food.  Traditionally at a potluck, I’ll eat what I brought and stick to dips.  However, today’s dishes were the best of the best of local bloggers and I had faith that everything was delish.  And to that point, everything I had was worthy of getting seconds.  So not only am I excited about having some of my recipes and photos published, I’m also excited to own a book with recipes from amazing Austin bloggers that sure know how to cook a meal!

Cupcakes & Cocktails

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I officially attended my first Austin Food Bloggers Alliance event tonight!  It was a trip full of purpose: a glammed up night with Jodie before she moves to Hawaii, an excuse to eat an exorbitant amount of cupcakes, a meeting with my blogging bud Brittanie, and an opportunity to help out a local charity.  Total good stuff.

I walked in the door wide-eyed, ready to mounge on some cupcakes.  Actually, I was more like super ready – 6PM on a weekday is my cooking time.  And when Jodie and Brittanie informed me that they weren’t cupcake eaters, I gladly picked up their slack.

We walked around the room, admiring the perfect presentation.  I gave Jodie my cherries and Brittanie my chocolate covered espresso beans as I described what I liked about each mini-cake.  When it came down to it, I had two favorites in mind: Texas Tea and Arnold Palmer.

What to do when you prefer the texture of one and the flavor of the other?  Well, go back for seconds.  But when you still can’t decide, force your anti-cupcake friend to taste them and get her opinion.  The verdict?  Taste over texture, Arnold Palmer for the win!