Unlocking Food Blogging Success: My Transformative Experience at Food Blog Forum Orlando

If you follow my adventures on Twitter or Facebook, you might already know that this past weekend was incredibly enriching. I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Food Blog Forum Seminar, held right here in my hometown of Orlando. Food Blog Forum is more than just an event; it’s a vibrant, supportive community conceived by the brilliant minds of Jaden and Scott from Steamy Kitchen, and Diane and Todd of White on Rice Couple. This forum is dedicated to empowering food bloggers by focusing on critical aspects such as stunning food photography, effective social media strategies, and essential technology skills. In essence, it’s a gathering of highly passionate individuals, eager to share their extensive knowledge and invaluable experience, all driven by what Jaden affectionately calls the “spirit of generosity” inherent in the food blogging world. This ethos of sharing and upliftment is truly what sets Food Blog Forum apart, creating an environment where everyone can learn and grow.

The announcement that this highly anticipated seminar was coming to Orlando filled me with immense excitement. Living in Central Florida, opportunities to connect with the broader food blogging community in person are relatively rare. Up until this point, I had only met a handful of fellow food bloggers in real life, making the prospect of meeting many more, especially my neighboring Floridian food bloggers, incredibly thrilling. There’s a unique energy that comes from sharing a space with people who understand your passion for food, photography, and storytelling. This event promised not just learning, but also invaluable networking opportunities and the chance to forge genuine connections with like-minded individuals who truly ‘get’ the intricacies and joys of this creative pursuit.

Pictured here are some of the fantastic Floridian food bloggers I had the pleasure of connecting with: Joanne & Adam, Michelle, Merry-Jennifer, Denise, and Renee, also known as RJ Flamingo. The sense of camaraderie was immediate and inspiring, highlighting the strength of our local food blogging community.

Here, you can see Julie, our truly wonderful event hostess, alongside Lindsay from Purr Design. Julie’s dedication to making the event run smoothly was evident from start to finish, and Lindsay’s expertise would later prove invaluable to all of us.

And of course, a fun snapshot of Jessica, famously known as the not-so-Novice Chef, and myself. These informal moments of connection were as valuable as the formal sessions.

The entire event, flawlessly hosted by Julie, Dawn, and Jaden, was seriously out of this world. We kicked off the memorable weekend with a lively meet-and-greet at the magnificent Whole Foods Orlando. Let me tell you, Whole Foods truly knows how to throw an exceptional party. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement; in one room, a live cooking demonstration captivated attendees, while in another, a delectable crème brûlée station offered sweet delights. In between, an abundance of mouth-watering food and fine wine flowed freely, setting the perfect tone for networking and camaraderie. KerryGold, one of our generous sponsors, treated us to an incredible selection of artisan cheeses, and I was in complete awe of the beautifully displayed brie cake – a culinary masterpiece that I, to my lasting regret, never had the chance to taste. Boo hoo indeed!

(I spy Julie, one of the brilliant Alkaline Sisters, who became my wonderful Whole Foods shopping buddy after the party. I introduced her to the wonders of Joe’s Oats Veggie Burgers, and she, in turn, enlightened me about the delightful Good Earth Tea – a perfect exchange of culinary discoveries!) The initial gathering was not just about food and fun, but about building these organic connections that truly enrich the food blogging journey.

Saturday brought a day packed with invaluable interactions and insights from prominent figures in the “industry.” We had the privilege of hearing from esteemed Food Editors Heather McPherson of the Orlando Sentinel and Jeff Houck of the Tampa Tribune. While some people might get giddy about meeting celebrities like Lady Gaga or Justin Bieber, for me, the true excitement lies in connecting with influential food editors like Heather and Jeff. I’ve been a long-time admirer of Heather’s work, having started following her many years ago when I myself worked for the Orlando Sentinel. Their combined experience and perspectives offered a profound understanding of the media landscape from a food editor’s viewpoint. Both shared an abundance of valuable insight, offering practical advice on pitching stories, understanding media trends, and building relationships within the culinary world. Their presentation was not only informative but also delivered with great chemistry and a wonderful sense of humor, keeping us smiling and engaged throughout.

Pictured here, the dynamic duo: Jeff Houck and Heather McPherson, whose collective wisdom was a highlight of the seminar.

Our day continued to be jam-packed with illuminating presentations from other exceptionally smart and seasoned professionals in the food blogging sphere. Peter Scott from IZEA expertly helped us wrap our brains around the often-complex topics of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and the burgeoning world of Social Media Sponsorships, providing actionable strategies to enhance our blog’s visibility and monetization potential. Lindsay of Purr Design offered invaluable insights into how to make our blogs more functional and user-friendly, emphasizing the importance of intuitive design for reader engagement. Helene of Tartelette, a true master, graciously schooled us on the art and science of exquisite food photography and styling, sharing secrets to make our dishes truly shine through the lens. Dawn gave us incredible tips on how to “write for the big boys,” essentially guiding us on crafting compelling content that attracts larger publications and brands. And of course, Jaden and Scott shared their profound insight on how to make our blogs more successful through thoughtful personal branding and strategic monetization techniques. Each session was a deep dive into practical skills, offering tools and knowledge that food bloggers can immediately implement to elevate their craft.

Don’t we all look incredibly studious and engaged? The room was abuzz with note-taking, questions, and enthusiastic discussions, a testament to the high quality of the presentations and the collective desire to learn and improve.

This image captures a moment during one of the insightful panel discussions, featuring Scott, Jaden, Dawn, and Merry-Jennifer, sharing their expertise and engaging with the audience.

Oh, and did I mention the prizes? Goodness gracious, the prizes were absolutely phenomenal! All were generously donated courtesy of our wonderful event sponsors, who truly went above and beyond. A huge thank you to Kitchen Aid, Cooking.com, Le Creuset, Calphalon, KerryGold, West Bend, America’s Test Kitchen, Chicago Metallic, and EdgeWare. I was absolutely thrilled to happily walk away with a much-desired and very much needed rice cooker from Cooking.com! It’s these thoughtful gestures from sponsors that add another layer of excitement and appreciation to such events.

A significant chunk of our afternoon was dedicated to learning from the incredible Helene. I think it’s safe to say we were all anxiously awaiting our time with Helene because, oh my goodness, she is just the sweetest person you could ever meet, and an absolutely incredible force behind the camera. She truly rocks, people, enough said. I will openly admit that I’ve had my trusty Canon Rebel for a little over two years now, and I’ve been ever grateful for the beautiful pictures it has produced for me. However, I’m shamelessly an “auto” girl – or a “no flash” girl. I simply point and shoot, knowing virtually nothing about the technicalities of photography. A monumental lightbulb went off for me on Saturday as Helene eloquently discussed the profound impact of light, the nuance of mood, the artistry of styling, and many other intricate details. Some concepts might have been a bit over my head initially, but it’s all about taking baby steps in this learning journey. I went home feeling a newfound closeness to my camera, filled with inspiration and a keen desire to experiment and play with everything I learned. Her session was truly transformative, demystifying complex photography concepts into accessible, exciting ideas.

What I truly adore about being in a room full of food bloggers is the palpable vibe of genuine community and support. Everyone is so incredibly generous with their time and knowledge, eager to help one another and share what works best for them in their own blogging journeys. It’s an environment free of competition and full of collaboration. I especially cherished my time catching up with my “not-so-new” friends: Merry-Jennifer, Julie, and Denise. I also had the pleasure of making wonderful “newer” friends, including Michelle, Julius, affectionately known as Droolius, Julie, Jaclyn, and Brie, and gosh, so many other fantastic individuals! These connections are truly the heart and soul of the food blogging community, fostering growth, inspiration, and lasting friendships.

Our day of intensive learning and knowledge acquisition ended precisely as any day spent in a room full of passionate foodies should:

Eating!

Just when we didn’t think the experience could get any better, we were warmly welcomed into McCormick & Schmicks for an exquisite evening reception. They treated us to an incredible spread that included artfully prepared sushi, succulent shrimp, gourmet Kobe sliders, refreshing sangria, and some truly outstanding hospitality. The ambiance was perfect for continuing our conversations, making new connections, and simply reveling in the joy of good food and great company. It was the perfect culmination to an inspiring and educational day, reinforcing the communal spirit of the Food Blog Forum.

Okay, I’m thoroughly inspired and energized. I’m absolutely ready to do it all over again, and I wholeheartedly encourage any food blogger looking to grow and connect to seek out future Food Blog Forum events. The lessons learned, the connections made, and the inspiration gained are truly invaluable.

For more fantastic perspectives and detailed accounts of the event, be sure to check out these Food Blog Forum Recaps from my fellow attendees:

Steamy Kitchen: A Rockin’ Time in Orlando

The Little Kitchen: Food Blog Forum Orlando Highlights

The Merry Gourmet: Sharing Our Passion at Food Blog Forum Orlando

Creative Kitchen Adventures: My Food Blog Forum Experience

The Domestic Mama & The Village Cook: Our Take on Food Blog Forum Orlando

Wordflux: An Orlando Weekend with Food Blog Forum

My Life as a Mrs: Feeling Inspired After Food Blog Forum