Friday, April 16, 2010

Friday foodie news...


The
2010 International Food Blogger Conference is taking place in Seattle from August 27th - 29th. This year's keynote speaker is James Oseland, editor-in-chief of Saveur Magazine (Top Chef fans also know him as a judge on Top Chef Masters). Registration will be open to the public starting this Monday, August 19th. The $350 ticket price sounds steep but apparently the generous goodie bag will make it worthwhile. There's also a special room rate being offered by the host hotel, Hotel Monaco.




And for all you poutine fans out there,
Smoke's Poutinerie and Major League Eating are hosting the first World Poutine Eating Championship in Toronto on Saturday, May 22nd. Despite the recent controversy about the contest being closed to Quebec participants (Quebec is the birthplace of poutine, afterall) I think it'll still be a fun time. I met Ryan Smolkin (owner of Smoke's Poutinerie) in Drummondville, QC last year (we were both there to attend the Festival de la Poutine) and he seems to take his poutine very seriously, taking the trouble to import authentic squeaky cheese curds from Quebec for his 20 varieties of poutine.

Professional registration
for the championship is now closed but they are still accepting entries for amateurs. Just submit your "I once ate..." or "I love poutine so much..." story here and Smoke's Poutinerie will select 3 amateurs to compete with the pros. You have till May 15th to enter and you must be 18 years old and a resident of Canada (excluding Quebec). Pity I'll be in Vancouver on May 22nd, I think I'd be a shoe-in for this contest (see my posts for 12 poutine in 12 days & Poutine-Palooza: Festival de la Poutine). I guess there's always next year :)



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20 comments:

KennyT said...

I wanna go to Seatlle:)

Jessica604 said...

I am debating whether I want to make the trip to Seattle in August. Will you be going?

Phyllis said...

Kenny: You would love Seattle, especially Pike Place Market. August is a great time to go, weather's awesome :)

Jessica: Seriously considering it but it has to fit in the budget somehow. Not sure hubby would be up for it and tickets will probably be sold out by the time I decide. At least you can drive down to Seattle!

Unknown said...

When is there going to be a Krispy Kreme eating contest? I will totally kick ass!
*kisses* HH

Phyllis said...

Heavenly Housewife: No argument there, daaahling ;)

Jenn said...

I still want to try poutine. I recently saw it featured on a Travel channel show.

Jessica604 said...

I can drive down but M is not a fan of doing Seattle solo (unless there are "spouse" tickets). :p Local bloggers are staying at home, or saving for the Foodbuzz Festival this year.

btw, Brado Pizza does a poutine pizza! (Was on Serious Eats, recently, I think.)

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Why aren't these conferences ever in NYC? Poutine? You have to be French Canadian to love it.

Phyllis said...

Jenn: You're such a creative cook, I bet you could probably make a good homemade poutine yourself. Just cheese curds (or substitute some cubed cheese) gravy and fries :)

Jessica: Yes, I do know about Brado's poutine pizza! Planning to try it in May - wanna meet me there? I'm going to need some backup LOL! And regarding IFBC, I know what you mean about the spouse situation, coming up with another $350 for hubby to tag-along is a major dealbreaker. San Francisco in Nov is looking more and more attractive!

Linda: I know, right? Why are we the ones that always have to travel? And btw, I'm NOT French Canadian, but I LOVE poutine ;)

Carolyn Jung said...

Oh my! Who knew there was a world poutine eating championship. Too funny! I've had poutine when I've visited Canada, and I can easily see the appeal of it. It's just something you have to have.

Phyllis said...

Carolyn: Yay, glad you've tried poutine :) You know something's hit the mainstream when it's being featured in an international eating competition!

Anonymous said...

I so wish I could go to Seattle for this conference and also to see my childhood best friend who lives there and just had a new baby!

Phyllis said...

5 Star Foodie: Two very good reasons to make the trip :)

Kris said...

I am King of Poutine! I can't wait to try the Poutine Pizza at Brado in Vancouver. I'll be good for at least 3 slices!

Juliana said...

Never had poutine...but Seattle is a lot of fun, specially the Pike Place Market :-)

Phyllis said...

Kris: I'm going to hold you to that, sweetie.

Juliana: If you're curious, you can try poutine at one of these places in L.A.:
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Poutine&find_loc=Los+Angeles%2C+CA

Jessica604 said...

3 slices for Kris, how many are you having Phyllis?

Put me down for...1? M can keep score for us! ;)

Phyllis said...

Jessica: I dunno...maybe 2? I'm sure I could put away more if I were eating at home but I'm a bit of a shy eater when I'm out, plus the world's slowest eater thing (well you know, maybe we can have do the slowest eater evaar challenge while were at it LOL).

Jessica604 said...

LOL! Slowest eater evaaaar....That would be the most boring vlog if that were to ever happen. Contact me when you're in town! :)

Phyllis said...

Jessica: Will do :D