The culinary world is a vibrant tapestry of passion, creativity, and community. For over a decade, the Food Blog Forum has stood as a beacon for this community, offering unparalleled opportunities for learning, networking, and inspiration. This year marked a significant milestone: our 8th annual Food Blog Forum event, a testament to the enduring spirit of food blogging and the dedicated individuals who shape its future. When you add to this the six international food blogging events I’ve had the privilege to organize in exotic locales like Ixtapa, the Dominican Republic, the Bahamas, and Cancun, it’s clear that event coordination has become a deep-seated passion and expertise.
Unveiling Food Blog Forum: A Hub for Culinary Creators
So, what exactly is Food Blog Forum? It’s more than just a conference; it’s a movement. Co-founded by myself, Scott, and the incredibly talented Todd and Diane of White on Rice Couple, Food Blog Forum is a not-for-profit initiative dedicated to empowering food bloggers. Our mission has always been crystal clear: to give back to the thriving food community, to mentor and encourage emerging and established bloggers, and above all, to celebrate our collective love for food. Through our events, we provide invaluable education on crucial topics such as professional food photography, intricate food styling, the business acumen required for successful blogging, and cutting-edge social media strategies. Each session is meticulously designed to elevate skills, foster innovation, and connect passionate individuals.
Magic in the Making: Our Partnership with Walt Disney World Resort
For the third consecutive time, the enchanting Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, served as our illustrious host. This iconic destination holds a special place in our hearts. As parents, and with Scott being a devoted Disney World enthusiast since 1973, it consistently ranks among our favorite venues for hosting events. The unparalleled magic, world-class hospitality, and seamless organization provided by Disney create an atmosphere that is both inspiring and utterly unforgettable for our attendees. Beyond the professional sessions, the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the joy and wonder of Disney adds an extra layer of enchantment, perfectly blending education with unparalleled entertainment. This unique blend ensures that every Food Blog Forum experience at Disney is not just a learning opportunity, but a cherished memory.
Featured Speakers: Elise Bauer of Simply Recipes, Kenji Lopez-Alt of Serious Eats, alongside Food Blog Forum co-founders Todd and Diane of White on Rice Couple.
An Immersive Experience: Luxury Stays and Expert Insights
Our 120 fortunate attendees were treated to an experience of a lifetime, beginning with three luxurious nights at the exquisite Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s flagship Victorian-style hotel offering unparalleled elegance and service. The event kicked off with a spectacular welcome party at the brand-new, opulent Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort, setting a grand tone for the days ahead. The speaker lineup was carefully curated to provide a comprehensive and impactful learning journey for every food blogger present:
- Victoria, Director of Creative, Inc. at Walt Disney World: Victoria shared profound insights into fostering creativity within a massive organization like Disney. Her role involves inspiring all Disney employees, from cast members to “magic makers,” to tap into their creative potential. Her session offered invaluable lessons on how bloggers can reignite their own inspiration and innovate within their content creation process.
- Lindsay and Bjork Ostrom of Pinch of Yum, alongside Scott and myself: This power quartet delved deep into the intricacies of business and blogging. Topics ranged from monetization strategies and SEO best practices to building a sustainable brand and understanding analytics. Attendees gained actionable advice to transform their passion projects into thriving online businesses.
- Todd and Diane of White on Rice Couple: Renowned for their stunning visuals, Todd and Diane conducted a captivating workshop on creating compelling stories through food photography and styling. They demonstrated techniques for lighting, composition, prop selection, and post-processing, showing how each element contributes to a narrative that resonates with an audience.
- Elise Bauer of Simply Recipes and Kenji Lopez-Alt of Serious Eats: Addressing a common challenge for content creators, Elise and Kenji provided practical strategies for combating blogger burnout. They shared personal experiences and expert advice on maintaining work-life balance, staying motivated, and managing the demanding pace of content creation without sacrificing well-being or passion.
- Enid, #4 Employee of Pinterest: Enid presented essential and impactful Pinterest strategies specifically tailored for food blogs. Attendees learned how to optimize pins for visibility, leverage Pinterest’s algorithm for traffic generation, and effectively use the platform to grow their audience and drive engagement.
It was a particular joy for Scott and me to finally meet our wonderful friends, Lindsay and Bjork Ostrom of Pinch of Yum, in person. Their reputation as innovators in the food blogging space precedes them, and connecting face-to-face added a special warmth to the event.
An Unforgettable Culinary Journey: Dining with Disney’s Executive Chefs
Among the many highlights – perhaps even more thrilling than the generous provision of 10 Disney FastPasses per person per day! – was a truly once-in-a-lifetime luncheon experience. Walt Disney World hosted us at the renowned California Grill restaurant, perched atop the Contemporary Resort. For this exclusive event, the entire restaurant was closed off, dedicated solely to our Food Blog Forum attendees. This unprecedented gesture underscored Disney’s commitment to supporting and celebrating the food blogging community.
The culinary magic truly came alive with the presence of ten Walt Disney World Executive Chefs. These esteemed chefs graciously stepped away from their demanding duties at their respective, highly acclaimed restaurants to personally cook for and engage with our attendees. It was an extraordinary opportunity to interact with the masters behind Disney’s diverse and exceptional dining experiences.
If your perception of amusement park food is limited to hot dogs and fries, then you simply haven’t experienced the culinary delights of Walt Disney World! The chefs showcased an incredible array of gourmet dishes, proving that Disney’s commitment to excellence extends far beyond its rides and entertainment, into the realm of world-class gastronomy.
Being the guests of honor and sampling some of Walt Disney World’s finest fare was an absolute dream. The diversity of flavors and culinary creativity on display was breathtaking, with dishes presented from a stellar lineup of restaurants, including:
- The Be Our Guest Restaurant (located in MAGIC KINGDOM Park), transporting diners into the world of Beauty and the Beast.
- California Grill (Disney’s Contemporary Resort), renowned for its panoramic views and contemporary American cuisine.
- Offerings from Disney’s Contemporary Resort Bakery, showcasing exquisite patisserie.
- Flying Fish Cafe (Disney’s BoardWalk), celebrated for its exquisite seafood.
- Le Cellier Steakhouse (Epcot), a Canadian-themed steakhouse known for its tender steaks and cheddar cheese soup.
- Narcoossee’s (Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa), offering coastal cuisine with stunning lagoon views.
- Sanaa (Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge), providing African-inspired cuisine with a view of wildlife on the savanna.
- Sunshine Seasons (Epcot), a vibrant food court showcasing fresh, global flavors.
- The Hollywood Brown Derby (Disney’s Hollywood Studios), a replica of the famous Los Angeles restaurant, serving classic American cuisine.
- Trattoria al Forno (Disney’s BoardWalk), an Italian eatery serving authentic flavors from Italy.
Exploring Orlando’s Local Culinary Gems: East End Market
No Food Blog Forum event would be truly complete without immersing ourselves in the local food scene, and Orlando certainly delivered. Our deepest gratitude goes to Visit Orlando and the incredibly hospitable shop owners of East End Market, who graciously surprised us with a delightful and diverse local food event. East End Market is a vibrant culinary hub, home to a collection of independent merchants and artisans, all passionate about local food and community. It was a fantastic opportunity for our attendees to experience the authentic flavors and innovative spirit of Orlando’s burgeoning food landscape.
Among the many culinary treasures discovered, my personal favorite was Kappa, an intimate Japanese omakase bar featuring only seven coveted seats. For those unfamiliar, “Omakase” translates to “chef’s choice,” meaning the menu is a spontaneous, daily creation, entirely dependent on the freshest seasonal ingredients and the chef’s innovative vision. On this particular occasion, we were treated to an extraordinary dish called Salmon “Oyaokon,” which charmingly translates to “parent and child.” This exquisite preparation featured perfectly seasoned rice topped with succulent salmon and delicate salmon roe, symbolizing the beautiful connection implied by its name. It was a nostalgic moment for me, as I hadn’t savored this specific dish since a memorable trip to Japan 18 years prior! The experience at Kappa was a true highlight, showcasing both traditional Japanese artistry and the creative pulse of Orlando’s culinary scene.
Beyond the Conference: Disney Adventures and Magic
But what is a trip to Disney without embracing the sheer fun and adventure it offers?! Disney ensured our experience was complete by sending all of us on an exciting scavenger hunt, a task the boys absolutely adored. With the enthusiastic help of “Uncle Todd” and “Auntie Diane” (Todd and Diane of White on Rice Couple), they meticulously followed each clue, adding an element of playful exploration to our magical visit. This activity perfectly blended the learning environment with the joyous spirit of Disney, creating cherished memories for everyone involved.
The provision of 10 FastPasses per person per day was an absolute game-changer, allowing us to ride our favorite attractions repeatedly, minimizing wait times and maximizing our enjoyment. This incredible perk meant more thrills and less queuing, enhancing the overall theme park experience significantly. Have you ever braved Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom? That particular adventure managed to scare the eyelashes right off me! It was an exhilarating reminder of the incredible array of experiences Disney World has to offer, catering to every level of thrill-seeker.
Heartfelt Thanks: The Team Behind the Magic
The success of an event of this magnitude is never a solo endeavor; it’s the result of countless hours of dedication and teamwork. A colossal thanks goes out to our incredible friends, Julie of The Little Kitchen and Lindsay of Love and Olive Oil, whose meticulous coordination and tireless efforts were absolutely instrumental in bringing this event to fruition. Their organizational prowess and unwavering commitment ensured everything ran smoothly, from speaker logistics to attendee experiences. This event truly would not have been possible without the dynamic duo from Walt Disney World Dining: Pam Brandon and Karen McClintock. Pam and Karen have consistently been profound supporters of the Food Blog Forum, championing our mission and facilitating the extraordinary experiences we offer. Their vision and dedication to the culinary community within Disney are truly commendable. Many of the stunning photographs that captured the magic of our event were skillfully shot by our talented photographer, the one and only Guy Michelier, often associated with Simply Recipes. His ability to capture the essence and energy of the forum is simply unmatched, and we extend our deepest gratitude for his beautiful work.
A Shout-Out to Our Esteemed Sponsors
Food Blog Forum owes an immense, heartfelt thank you to all our cherished sponsors, whose invaluable support makes these transformative events possible. We extend our deepest gratitude to Walt Disney World for not only hosting our conference but for generously providing countless magical moments that enchanted every single one of us. Their commitment to excellence and hospitality created an unparalleled backdrop for learning and connection. We are also incredibly thankful to PB&G at Four Seasons Resort Orlando for hosting such a lovely and elegant opening party, setting the perfect tone for the event. The warm hospitality extended by Visit Orlando and the diverse East End Market vendors added an authentic local flavor to our experience, for which we are truly grateful.
Furthermore, our appreciation goes out to KitchenAid, Florida Dairy Farmers, Oxo, and Sabra, who provided such amazing and coveted prizes for our attendees. These contributions added an extra layer of excitement and reward to the conference. We truly love our sponsors for their unwavering passion for the food blogging community and for being such dedicated and vital partners in our mission. Their support empowers us to continue fostering growth, creativity, and community among food bloggers worldwide. Thank you for making Food Blog Forum an unforgettable success!