As I left Day One of the Foodbuzz Blogger Festival I was in a funk, but the gorgeous sunny San Francisco day that greeted me for day two of the event went a long way toward lifting my spirits.  The events that followed had them soaring.

After a quick shuttle and an uneventful ride on BART, I ended up facing the Ferry Building in all it’s glory.  The fact that I was running late for the greets and snacks portion of the day didn’t phase me.  I figured as long as there was still coffee I’d be fine and because I’d thought I’d have to cancel, I wasn’t scheduled to attend any events.  Time was on my side, the sun was shining and San Francisco was resplendent.  A good start to the day indeed.

After a few quick photos I made my way to the Foodbuzz area where there was indeed coffee.  There was also some lovely conversation with The Foodbuzz’ Team’s own Ryan Stern (@ryanthegirl), and a meeting with one of my favorite folks in the bloggosphere, Jenn di Piazza (@leftoverqueen) and her husband Roberto:

The three of us were all headed back to the Hotel Vitale and we talked on the way about everything from the proper color choices for western hats, to sustainable agriculture, their upcoming move to Vermont, rice production in California’s Central Valley and the superiority of Vermont Cheddar over California Cheeses (I’m not convinced on this last point, but I grew up in California’s cheese producing mecca, Sonoma.)

From there I met back up with Kelly Wright (@kellypea) anda few others before tastings began.

As I said, I wasn’t on the schedule for any events, but Alexa (that is Alexa, right… on the far right?), had other ideas and I was summarily ushered in for the second olive oil tasting of the day.

Chef Michael Tuohy was inspirational in his passion for olive oils, the slow food movement and food in general.  listening to him talk was enough to make me want to go and cook something right then and there… Preferably in olive oil.  And even though his enthusiasm was contagious, I was still a little unsure of tasting the assembly of raw olive oils in front of the attendees:

In the end I discovered two things:

1. Each one of these oils was distinctly different.  Each unique in its own way with different nuances and subtle variances in flavor and mouth feel.
2. That I never.  EVER. Want to do another olive oil tasting again. it’s just too much of an otherwise good thing.

The biggest bonus of the experience (aside from the side comments and more than a few laughs), was the bottle of new, early season olive oil that was presented to everyone who attended the tasting.  Chef Tuohy suggested that it be used immediately, but I’m saving it for just a few more days when I start cranking out some recipes for this year’s Holiday recipe series.

From there it was off to the Metreon City view for the Foodbuzz tasting pavilion.  On the way i was introduced to the lovely Joan Nova (@foodalogue) and Sherman of Sherman’s Food Adventures, who I kept bumping into throughout the afternoon and trading noshing suggestions with.  Kelly and I kept joking that we were both in desperate need of something to get the taste of olive oil out of our mouths as we walked the few blocks to the Metreon and I’m pretty sure a good time was had by all on the way.

I’m not sure how, but we managed to get to the tasting pavilion before it opened, so we joined the crowd milling outside in anticipation.  The throng reminded me of the previous night’s dinner, with hundreds of hungry foodies milling around the entrance like sharks waiting for a hapless sea lion to get a little too far out from shore.  It’s kind of beautiful in it’s own way, really.  …At least as long as you’re not the sea lion.

Once we were allowed in the fun began in earnest.  I’m not going to give a minute-by-minute replay of the event, there was just too much going on. the first thing we were told was to take a wine glass for ourselves, both to sample the wines and beer on the floor and to take home as a keepsake.

Then it was off to the food!  While there are several clear favorites among my fellow bloggers and I, I think the concensus is clear.  The hit of the day was the Mexican Shrimp “Ceviche” Cocktail with Peruvian peppers from Chef Jesse T. Perez of Fuego at the Maya in Long Beach, CA (A member of joie de vivre  Hotels and Restaurants, one of the show’s biggest sponsors.)

I kid you not folks.  Of all the sampling I did, the memory of this civiche will stay with me for a very long time.  I’m tempted to ask the chef for the recipe, but I’m afraid it would be a matter of “I’d tell you, but then I’d have to kill you.” In which case I’d have to listen, then try to take him out first.

After that experience, and with even more chicharrones from 4505 (Lamb this time! YUM!) I decided It was time to sample a few of the wines and beers available.  All were good, but for me there were two real standouts of the day.  The first was an Irish Ale from Magnolia Gastropub and Brewery, which is unfortunately not listed at their website.  A lovely beer and one I came to enjoy repeatedly throughout the day, but the beer that won my heart was from a source I never would have imagined.  Iron Chef and Culinary Icon Masaharu Morimoto:

This black Obi Soba Ale is the most fantastic beer I have ever tasted.  It’s the perfect beer for a great roast or braised beef dinner and pairs well with chocolate, too.  If you’re a lover of dark beer and you find this: BUY IT.  You won’t regret it.

The rest of the afternoon was a delightful blur of both new and familiar flavors.  The Mezzetta’s booth was a taste of home for me.  They’re based in Napa now, but when I was growing up the company was based on 8th street in my home town of Sonoma, California.  I’ve had their products in my pantry since I was a boy and I happily hung around and talked wine Country with the guys in the booth for a while.

Following that I let the Irish in me out and headed for the Kerrygold booth, where I was rewarded with some of the best cheeses I’ve ever eaten, along with a gorgeous and silky Irish butter that I’ve been wanting to try for quite some time.  Having tried it I can say with certainty that I’ll be buying a little of all of it the next time I go shopping.  It was better than good, it was insanely good. (The crowd should give that away, shouldn’t it?)

Along the way I had the chance to meet quite a few of my fellow foodies.  I spent a very nice time talking with Kristi Willis, better known as the force behind Austin Farm to Table. (@austinfarm2tbl) about Texas, farming and, of course, bouncing around to try new foods.

I also met up with Joel Brown of Six by 10 Tiny Kitchen and had several memorable moments talking with him and several others on the balcony.  It was a nice break from the frenetic pace inside the pavilion and an entirely enjoyable time.  There were others surely, but these are the names that stick in my head.  After two hours of noshing, drinking and generally enjoying myself, Kelly Wright, Kristi Willis and I decided that the afternoon was done and took a leisurely stroll back to the Hotel.

I decided at that point that it was time to call it a day.  I wasn’t there for the big dinner, but that’s fine by me.  I was stuffed, sated and looking forward to a hot shower, a few screwdrivers and a good night’s sleep in preparation for the farewell brunch.. Which is exactly how the night ended up.  The perfect end to a perfect day.

Do not fear, foodie friends.  I’ll make the dinner next year for sure. There were reasons I decided against it this year, but those will be laid out in another post.  for now my coverage of Day 2 of the Foodbuzz Food Festival is at an end.

Stay tuned for part Three!

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