I'm baaaaack!

This past Monday, I accidentally attended a Minnesota Food Bloggers event at Kitchen in the Market. Let me explain. A while back, Zoë François posted an announcement on Facebook about an event, where she would be demonstrating how to toss pizza dough up in the air. I may have previously mentioned that I would follow Zoe anywhere, regardless of what she was tossing, so I signed up that very same day. Fast forward to Monday evening, and I walk into a bright commercial kitchen tucked into a corner of Midtown Global Market. I am asked to fill out a name tag, and include my blog name. Luckily, I have one of those, so I dutifully jot it down. I quickly survey the room and realize I am at a networking event. I hate those. I am a horrible schmoozer and am absolutely terrible at self-promotion (although I can drop names with the best of them, as you may have noticed. Have I mentioned I know Steven Brown? And I once touched Rick Springfield's hand...but I digress.)

With a glass of wine in hand, I took a deep breath and approached a couple of lovely folks and quickly made friends. Everyone in the room was friendly, enthusiastic and eager to learn. After noshing (get it?) some gorgeous flat bread and hummus, it was time for our demonstration. Zoe, of course, was lovely and funny, tossing dough up in the air like a Globetrotter. Then it was our turn. This thing was run like a fine oiled machine. We were handed cute little cake boards, wrote our names on them, and then given a perfect little ball of dough. We took turns dimpling it, and under Zoe's watchful eye, we tossed it up in the air. Most came back down.

Next it was time to top 'er up. What seemed like miles and miles of beautiful, fresh toppings were lined up for our choosing. Cheeses, herbs, meats, oils, even tiny, gorgeous quail eggs...throw in a chocolate glazed doughnut and this is what heaven would look like, of this I am certain. I had made a few new friends during the presentation, so we sat together to enjoy our creations. Wow. Good food, good company, it was all so wonderful.

Which brings me to today. The talented ladies I shared a table with are avid bloggers who put me to shame. So I am back on it kids. I am combining my blogs into one and forging forward with the earnest zeal of a five year old in Disney World. Thank you to Zoe, Stephanie Meyer of MN Food Bloggers, Molly Herrmann and Tracy Morgan (not that Tracy Morgan) of Kitchen in the Market, and all the other helpful folks behind the counter who made this event so fun.