On Saturday, a group of us attending the International Food Bloggers Conference, led by the knowledgeable and very friendly Chef Barry of Our Community Table. And even though 4:45AM is a god-awful time to meet in the lobby of the W Hotel, I ended up having a very interesting and enjoyable early morning!
When I first heard about this fieldtrip, I thought to myself – I just live in Portland, I’m in Seattle a couple of times a year. I do not need to get up at 4AM tomorrow and go walk to the market and take pictures. I can do that some other time. But then the more I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that on my own I would never do this. And I would never be able to drag my husband to the market that early to go with me. So, what the hell. I went and I’m so glad I did!
The market is kind of magical in the dark, early hours and it was great to be able to take pictures without crowds of people everywhere. Aside from some cheese-making activity at Beechers and some dumpling forming at piroshky piroshky, the market itself was pretty deserted. A few produce deliveries were just starting to happen about the time a group of us decided we needed coffee.
The morning ended with a delicious 7AM breakfast at Lola*. I even got back to the hotel in time for a quick nap before the 10AM Food Photography and Cooking Demo with Chef John Mitzewich and New York Times food photographer Andrew Scrivani.
This is my second out of three IFBC posts. Want to experience it yourself? IFBC2014 is in Seattle again next year! Details at Foodista.
* Incidentally, Lola is right below my most favorite hotel in Seattle – Hotel Andra.
I love your photos, Michelle! Some of them would be amazing blown up on canvas. This was a truly unique experience and I’m happy I was there with you. I’m only sorry I missed having breakfast with all of you!
Thanks Susan! I’m so glad you passed this excursion info on to the FFwD group! 🙂
Sorry you guys weren’t at the breakfast too! It was kind of a spontaneous decision after getting coffee. We went back to the hotel for a bit, then met in the lobby at 7.
I decided not to go on the Pike Place tour since I live here and now I am kicking myself for missing out! You took amazing photos of the market.
Wonderful post…fantastic photography. I guess the early bird gets the shot!!
Beautiful photos! I was glad to join you all, too. And you’re absolutely right…I would have rolled right back over in bed if I wasn’t meeting you all that morning!
That was a fun excursion – I am glad I dragged myself out of bed for that one. Breakfast was a treat too!
Great pictures!
Erin: Next year! 🙂
Barnaby: Thank you!
Liz: Thanks. Yep, it was worth losing some sleep 🙂
Cher: Super fun…and so unique! And thank you!
Fantastic photos, looks like it was well worth the early start for this unique view of the market and you took some great shots that captures the quiet calm preparations before the storm of the market day
Lovely photos Michelle, it looks like it was fun but a wee bit early for this old gal. I am very happy that I got
to meet you, and I know we will be having fun blogging together for a little while longer.
Pech: Thanks! Yes, it was a unique way to spend the morning.
nana: Understood! It was a bit early for me too 😉 And I’m very glad I got to meet you as well!