Believe it or not, after eating our way through the Street Fair and the Tasting Pavilion, we actually were hungry and ready for more deliciousness!
The 2nd Annual Foodbuzz Festival Gala Dinner was hosted at the Grand Hall in the Ferry Building in San Francisco and catered by Paula LeDuc Catering.
The Husband chauffeured us right up to the front of the building where we made our way to the Cocktail Party.
Since I knew dinner was going to involve A LOT of wine, I opted for something a little healthier ~ an Orange Juice Mocktail!
They managed to stuff us all in the downstairs cage area where there wasn’t really any place to mingle or move 🙁
We did manage to snag a few appetizers when we spotted them.
These Hoisin Beef Rolls were stuffed with scallions and were pretty delicious.
I wasn’t really a big fan of these since they didn’t have much flavor and had a funky texture.
Zucchini and parmesan madeleines. They were filled with lemon pepper creme and crimson cured salmon.
Herb Polenta Cups stuffed with chevre and Provencal vegetables ~ LOVE!
I finally managed to run into two of my favorite bloggers that I was looking for ALL WEEKEND! I am pretty sure I LOVE them even more now – they are way more awesome in person than on their blogs and we had a blast chatting it up.
Melissa of Trying to Heal & Bobbi of Bobbi McCormick (NHerShoes)
The main dinner was hosted upstairs inside the Grand Hall ~ the lighting and building were absolutely beautiful.
The table decorations sorta freaked me out. We all touched “it” to see if “it” was real, but, that Styrofoam moss like ball made us all jump when it moved 😉
Each dish was paired with lots and lots of wine…..check out all all the glasses 😀
We had such a fun table & I honestly LOVED chatting it up with each & everyone of them.
Janetha, Moinca, Marci & Elise
Susan, Gabriela & Super Duper Fantastic
My absolute FAVORITE thing on the menu was the Roasted Golden Beet Tart.
The flavor combination was just outstanding with you had a bite with a little creamy “pesto”, golden beet tart, sweet currants & beets, creamy feta and tart arugula. I totally want THE RECIPE! 😀
Can you all believe I’ve never had a scallop before in my life until Saturday night? I dunno, they sorta freak me out being all slimy and ball like and really, like what IS a scallop – you don’t ever see it’s head or fins or eyes 😀
But, I have to admit, I thought these Champagne Beurre Blanc Fennel Braised Scallops were delicious and I ate everything except for the funky fried fennel grass 🙂
THIS is one reason I LOVE eating with other food bloggers ~ you NEVER feel like you are the only one taking pictures of what you eat 😉
There were 3 options for dinner ~ A Lamb options, A Fish Option (Pescatarian) and a Vegan Option. Since I have moral issues with lamb 😀 (I seem so opinionated today, huh?! LOL), I opted for the Vegan dish.
Mushroom deliciousness!
The shiitake mushrooms were garlicky and delicious. The stuffed portabello mushrooms had a leek balsamic filling and pesto on top. The butternut squash puree should’ve been roasted or seasoned, I think….it was sorta bland like baby food.
There were two desserts that were deserved.
Melissa ordered the Vegan Sorbet & Fruit
And I got the Tarta De Almendras with oranges. I LOVED the cake part, but, have to admit that the parmesan cheese crisp on top didn’t really mix with anything else.
The other part I LOVE about bloggers…..we ALWAYS share our food with each other too 😀 (hehehe….XOXO ~ E & H ~ I couldn’t resist 1 pic of you all eating ;))
After dinner we headed out with the group to the Clock Tower Bar before heading back to get some sleep before SUSAN kicked our booties with her Boot Camp Workout in the morning.
I have to admit the fact that she gave us such a great workout made me feel justified in piling on the brunch (you know, since I’ve shown such restraint all weekend and all LOL :D)
Brunch was completely delicious especially since it involved applewood smoked bacon, spinach frittatas, yogurt parfaits and LOTS of Nature’s Pride Bread!
I totally LOVED that they served up salads for the people like me who LOVE fitting in at least a 1/2 cup of veggies for breakfast every morning 😀
I actually didn’t eat the French Toast or the grilled cheese muffin gravy thing, but, I did devour everything else you see here 🙂
After breakfast, we chatted it up one last time and snapped our parting shots. I really do LOVE all these girls and I had such a blast meeting everyone this weekend. I think the BEST thing about blogging is that each time you get to meet up with everyone, it’s like catching up with an old friend…..I can’t wait to see everyone again!
The 2nd Annual Foodbuzz Festival Crew ~ The Husband and all my roomies <3!!!!
Even as we parted ways, I had some great things to take home to remember all the fun people I met.
Janetha was one of the first people to read my blog and we have since become great friends. She is so freakin’ amazing, sweet and nice ~ check out the awesome gift she brought all of us to take home.
Complete with her favorite coffee mug!
Homemade Trail Mix that she whipped up complete with apples dried with LOVE by Momma B! Thanks you two ~ I LOVE you both ~ xoxo!
Susan brought us all bags of Simply Protein Oatmeal!
I LOVE it when I get to try things from other places (Like Canada!) that we do not have in California.
Sabrina (Rhodey Girl Tests) has these super cute re-usable bags made up that she gave all of us.
We also got fun gifts to take home from the Tasting Pavilion
Super Cool Apron!
T-Shirts! By the way, the Foodiacs are hosting the 12 days of Christmas Giveaway where they are giving away some awesome prizes!
Frog Hollow Farms kept their tradition of sending us home with their fantastic treats!
Then, there is the Foodbuzz Fest Swag Bag! I have to say I LOVE that they went “green” this year and used a re-usable bag!
Since I know everyone always wonders what is inside, I decided to include pictures to show you what’s in the bag!
The Husband is all too excited about the Saags meats and lunch bag.
The funkiest salad chopper scissors I’ve ever seen.
The Devil Knife that cuts mainly anything….Holly wants to know what it “doesn’t cut”? LOL
Tyler Florence’s Brown Sugar Rub by Made In Napa Valley!!!
My personal fav….a Chef’s Catalog Gift Card!
The rest!
Can’t wait for next year!!!
In case you missed them, here are the links for my Day 1 and Day 2 Festival Recaps.
Last year’s DAY 1, Day 2 Little Bites Tasting Pavilion and Day 3 The Grand Finale.
FOODBUZZ FESTIVAL LINK LOVE
~ Check out the Festival recaps from these other bloggers!
* Brittany at Eating Bird Food
* Amanda at Two Boos That Eat ~ Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
*
*Super Duper Fantastic Recaps!
* Lynn of The Actor’s Diet created a VIDEO!
If you want me to add you link, leave a comment or email.
Gahhhh ~ It’s Biggest Loser Night ~ Can’t wait to just relax!
Night all!
great recap, danica! i’d love it if you’d link to my video:
http://theactorsdiet.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/foodbuzz-kill/
I am loving all of the recaps! I cant wait to read more!
you are too funny! scallops are similar to clams and oysters. they come in a shell, but they are a very pretty shell.
thanks for the photo! i’m stealing it for my archives. hehe.
my foodbuzz recap posts : http://superduperfantastic.net/category/hungry-suki/foodbuzz-festival-2010/
Thanks so much for the shout out girl!!!! 🙂
What an awesome last dinner 🙂 So sad I missed it this year!
Great wrap up! Scallops are a bivalve that come in a shell though there’s a lot of speculation that some are now “made” by cutting circles out of Skate wings. Either way, I stay away. I was pretty proud of myself though for eating the raw salmon appetizer that night. I never eat it raw (though cook it often). Those appetizers were fantastic!
Looks like a really great time! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the pics! 🙂
I can’t wait for next year either!!! 🙂
I love your recap! And once again I realize I missed out on a bunch. The only appetizer I tried was the polenta! (Which I LOVED) Next year, for sure. Haha.
Your cute snippet about me made me a little teary eyed, I must be emotional or something, I love you!
Thanks again for EVERYTHING. Seriously–you are the BEST. Jay too!!!!
Great to meet you last weekend! Cute pic that you linked to me. I don’t have that one!
Scallops are kind of like mussels. You never ask what they are, and don’t examine them too closely. Just take your bite and love every second of it 😉
I’m wearing the Annie’s shirt right. now. AND I had the shells for dinner. Loved. Also, what the heck are those wonky scissor things??
It was awesome getting to spend so much time with you in San Fran! I’ll come to Napa to be your personal bootcamp instructor any day 😉
Nice to meet you and read your interesting recap of the event. Everyone has a slightly different perspective and though I thought I was full-throttle seeing/eating everything, I’m amazed at things I missed. P.S. Our table did not get choices but that was o.k. with me. I loved everything prepared for the gala dinner.