International Food Blogger Conference

Alumna Interview With El Pasoan, Yvette Marquez From Muy Bueno Cookbook

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I “sat down” (aka emailed) with IFBC19 speaker and alumna Yvette Marquez from Muy Bueno Cookbook. While you might know her from IFBC19 in Juneau, AK, which she described as “super dreamy!”, you might have also seen her on the Food Network, NBC, Buzzfeed, Cosmopolitan, Taste of Home, or The Huffington Post.

She was top on my list to interview as she is an El Pasoan, born and raised. El Paso is a fantastic city. It is now known as “a city reborn,” because it takes old tradition and mixes in modern amenities. El Paso is a zestful melting pot of culture that dates back hundreds of years. The “Sun City” has a way of life and community like no other because it is set amid Mexico and the Southwest. Take everything you love about Texas and combine it with the unique culture and food of Mexico. Yvette described the people as “very friendly, very laid back, and the folks are proud of their home, culture, and cuisine.”

Yvette started her blog in 2010 around this very premise, home, culture, and cuisine. She explained, “I started my blog to preserve my family’s Mexican recipes and to journal the writing of a cookbook.” She shows off these recipes not only through her blog and excellent photography but through video. I’m mean, she has even won an Emmy for one of her videos! Check out this one here about the Ysleta Mission History and Festival that happens right in El Paso. In 2019, Yvette spoke on our experts’ panel and had a breakout session about video, she emphasized, “I loved it all!”

When asked why El Paso is a great place to host IFBC21, she responded, “I think it will share the uniqueness of El Paso! El Paso is practically Mexico, and the Mexican food there is dif­ferent — it isn’t Tex-Mex – it’s the pride of El Paso and Northern Mexico.”

We are incredibly excited to experience the unique culture and cuisine of El Paso. Please check out Yvette and Muy Bueno Cookbook for some fantastic and beautiful Mexican recipes inspired by her family.

 

 

Alumni Interview with Jason Logsdon from Amazing Food Made Easy

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Today we welcome Jason Logsdon from Amazing Food Made Easy and Makin’ Bacon. Jason is not only an IFBC Alumni but also a 2018 and 2019 speaker. This news post is a continuation of our previous Alumni Interviews where we give you an insight into fellow attendees and their experience at the IFBC. 

Why/How did you start your blog? Tell us about your brand/ mission.

About 12 years ago I received a copy of Thomas Keller’s Under Pressure cookbook and a sous vide temperature controller to plug my crockpot into. After reading through Keller’s book I was still really confused about how to cook using sous vide. I did some research online but I couldn’t find any good sources of information on sous vide. There was some guidance scattered around, but no real authoritative source that was easy to use.

So I decided to become that source.

Can you tell us about Makin’ Bacon?

Lately, I’ve been taking a larger role in helping other food bloggers succeed. I believe the best way to grow your income is by providing massive value to your Fans. On my new site, Makin’ Bacon, I’ve started sharing the techniques I’ve used to become a successful full-time blogger.

Using products and services to directly serve your Fans, instead of just relying on ads and sponsored posts, is an amazing way for bloggers to get the most from their work. It not only quickly grows your income, but it also makes you feel incredible because your Fans respond so positively.

What was your experience like at IFBC?

I had an amazing time at the conference. While the sessions were enjoyable, my favorite part was meeting so many incredible people. From the conference staff to the other speakers and attendees, everyone was friendly and welcoming. I met tons of new people who I still stay in touch with!

What would you like to tell food bloggers who have never attended the IFBC but are considering doing so?

If the speaking lineup looks compelling to you, then just dive in and do it. You’ll learn a lot from the sessions, and the people you will meet will help you become a better blogger, develop more confidence in yourself, and might turn into lifelong friends.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I’ve had the chance to speak to a great number of bloggers, and I often get the impression many of them feel they don’t “belong.” The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to ignore this. You DO belong, and you CAN succeed at blogging. 

Whether you are just thinking about getting started, or you’ve been blogging for a while and haven’t reached the success you want yet, you belong. If you work hard, put in the time and energy, you will become successful. Conferences like the IFBC can help jump-start that process, through their programming and the connections you will make with fellow bloggers during these events. 

You’re not alone in this, and at the IFBC you’ll be surrounded by other people going on the same journey.

 

Thank you, Jason!

Alumna Interview With Lauren McElwain From Cooking as a First Language

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This is the third and final post in our series of alumni interviews about new IFBC attendees, this one with Lauren McElwain from The Filigree Fig. Lauren has a great story, in that she used her blog to launch a non-profit that benefits expatriates living in her hometown – through cooking – and so we are using this post to change the focus of this series. If you are an alumnus and interested to share your own inspiring story with us, please contact Sarah Wohlner who sends out the alumni emails.

Why/How did you start your blog? Tell us about your brand/ mission.
I started my blog about five years ago because food inspires me to be creative!  I love to make vegetables more fun and just cook and share the dishes that I love to eat…especially dishes experienced while traveling!  I started my nonprofit organization, Cooking as a First Language, because I am passionate about bringing people together over food!  It thrills my soul to see the ways cooking, sharing a meal and hospitality can break down barriers and build up community!

Tell us a bit more about Cooking as a First Language
Blue Springs, MS (on the outskirts of Tupelo where I live) is home to a major Toyota manufacturing plant. Over recent years, many Japanese families have relocated to our area for jobs and to make a new life. I believe that Tupelo natives should be proud of diversity and should work to make these families feel welcomed and even celebrated in our community. 

I discovered very quickly that many of our Japanese neighbors speak little or no English. When some of these ladies saw that I was a food blogger, they asked if I could conduct a cooking class to teach them some recipes that are popular in this part of the world. When we cook together, our primary mode of communication is food prep tasks. Working together to reach a common and fun goal formed a lasting bond between us that we needed no spoken words to create. That gives me chills every time I say it!

We started reaching out to many different people and since beginning the cooking classes we have tasted: American, Sushi/Japanese, Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese New Year, Korean, Ecuadorian, Cuban, and International Desserts! Upcoming classes include Filipino, Venezuelan, Chinese Takeout and Moroccan. Each class is taught by a person who is from the given country…so you know it’s going to be legit!!

What were your thoughts and feelings about the conference before you actually attended?
I was excited about doing something new, but didn’t really know what to expect.  I just hoped to learn a lot and connect with other food bloggers. I was also excitedly and a little nervously preparing my presentation for the Lightning Talk event.

What was your experience like at IFBC?
The conference exceeded any expectations I had!  I was completely intrigued and inspired from beginning to end with the information that was presented.  I learned some things that have helped me a lot with my blogging and social media presence.  I LOVE all the people I got to meet and am still in touch with most of them!  I felt as if I had found my tribe at IFBC!  I said to my husband, “This is where people like me come together!”  The excitement for food, travel, creating and enriching the lives of others is contagious at IFBC and that’s something I want to catch!!

What would you like to tell food bloggers who have never attended the IFBC but are considering doing so?
I would say do not hesitate any longer!  Sign up for this conference and be a part of something you’ll never forget!  Get ready to be inspired to write and create and to make fabulous new foodie friends!  That was a very rewarding experience for me.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
I have to say that the “speed dating” event for bloggers and brands was a highlight of the weekend.  The fast pace of it was so fun and I enjoyed getting to taste the products.  I made connections that night that I am still benefitting from today.  I’m actually about to do a big giveaway on my blog of a product that I discovered that night!  The “Taste of” event was also fabulous!!  I can’t wait for the Taste of Juneau event this year!  

In closing, I would just say that IFBC is a very well done conference.  It’s a big deal, but still small enough that you feel like you’re friends with everyone there.  And I think that’s awesome!

Alumna Interview With Michelle De La Cerda Nash From The Complete Savorist

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This is the second interview with food bloggers who were new to the International Food Blogger Conference but attended last year in New Orleans. We welcome the thoughts of Michelle De La Cerda Nash from The Complete Savorist.

Why/How did you start your blog? Tell us about your brand/ mission.

Michelle: For years I had been asked by family and friends to start a blog. I did, but shortly after starting it, I found myself going through a divorce with an infant. I let it go. A couple of years later I went back to it with a renewed focus and purpose. It’s my goal to help the adventurous home cook and the burgeoning foodie make international cuisine at home by sharing the history of a recipe or the traits of specific ingredients. My blog has led to starting other businesses within and around the food influencer realm.

What were your thoughts and feelings about the conference before you actually attended?

Michelle: That 1) I was getting to check it off my conference bucket list in a bucket list city and 2) I hope I come away with actionable items.

What was your experience like at IFBC?

Michelle: The excursions were awesome! I loved the sessions. I felt like the speakers actually gave real tips and actionable items versus just theory. I’ve attended other conferences over the years and the speakers tell you to do things but don’t tell you how; that wasn’t the case at IFBC.

What would you like to tell food bloggers who have never attended the IFBC but are considering doing so?

Michelle: Do it. There are a lot of awesome conferences to attend. There are even awesome food blogger conferences to attend, but IFBC is worth the investment because of what you will take way from it. There is a genuine sense of support among attendees.

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