Recap on my Year and my New Book

Taking an entire year and putting it into one post is like asking someone to choose one restaurant as THE best.  So much depends on mood, hunger and expectations. There is a ” best Italian”, a “best messy sandwich” and a “best fancy night out” .

A year of my life has so many aspects; career, mood, accomplishments,  family and self-growth.  This year has been one with lots of changes, my baby turned into a toddler, I learned a lot about being a mom (which of course I thought I knew so much about) and my career went ways that I didn’t even know existed.

photo credit: Jackie Donnely Baisa

Before I continue. Thank you to all of you. I don’t think there are words to explain my gratitude to each and every one of the people in the Seattle food community and the online national and international Twitter, Facebook and cyber community.  Every tweet, every ticket, every time you say Foodportunity, you warm my heart.

Here are some of my highlights of 2010:

In April, I was named Doer of the Week by MarthaStewart.com

I succeeded to have many sold out Foodportunity events.

I had a Foodportunity in Portland, a totally sold- out event.

I got the opportunity to host events for The  Pioneer Woman, Dianne Jacob, Kristine Kidd, Delores Custer, Mireille Guillano and so many more!  I hosted  events for so many other authors and food people who have influenced our palates.

We raised over 600 dollars towards Share Our Strength as part of a national bake sale.

Thanks to University Book Store, I got to hang out with Anthony Bourdain and pick his brain.

I was invited to speak at  the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) on the subject of building community online and offline.

I got to judge a cupcake competition by Bella Cupcake Couture and eat hundreds of cupcakes with a group of strong women in the food community.

I was invited to mentor other business women, at an inspiring Crave Business event and was featured in the Crave Women business book.

I got to lead a twitter chat on the subject of networking for Forbes. #forbeschat

And last but not least, I wrote a book.  I spent my time eating at hundreds of food establishments and got to put it all together in a book called Food Lovers’ Guide to Seattle. published by Globe Pequot Press and coming out this Spring.  It is not just a restaurant guide but a guide to the best specialty stores, bakeries and places to shop for food.  Here you can find all the places to get ingredients for your next picnic, where to get food gifts and also where to eat all over Seattle. Giveaway: Leave a comment here and you can win a copy. I will choose the winner this coming Monday.

For 2011 my goals are to stay focused, learn more and relax when needed. I wish you all health and health to all of your families and friends because when it comes to down to it. That is the most important thing.

Happy 2011 and I hope to see you on January 31 at my next event. Come meet Kristine Kidd in person. More details here.

The photos here are by the two super-talented photographers Jackie Donnely Baisa and  Valentina Vitols

Photo of Dianne Jacob photo credit: Jackie Donnely Baisa

Ree Drummond at an event I hosted for the Seattle Food Bloggers photo credit: Valentina Vitols

Thank you everyone for the encouraging comments.

The winner of the book is Carrie Minns.