Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Taste3 Fellowship & A Sad Goodbye to Delicious Cupcakes

So I recently found out that I'll be going to the Taste3 conference in Napa this July! Very exciting stuff. Taste3:

[Brings] together more than forty of the most compelling writers, thinkers, chefs, winemakers, journalists, artisans, and executives as speakers and hosts, joining 400 attendees who are every bit as tapped-in. TASTE3 will thrill, tantalize, engage, intrigue, provoke, and inspire both its audience and its speakers. The single-track program is broken into themed sessions filled with hard-hitting, engaging short-format presentations. Sessions are interwoven with breaks with networking opportunities and interactive exploration.

TASTE3 is presented by Robert Mondavi Winery. In the spirit of founder Robert Mondavi’s vision, passion and leadership, TASTE3 aims to push the exploration and marriage of wine, food and art.

Normally, the fee is a bit out of my range (oh, by about $2,000+) so I have to simply hear about it from friends. However, I applied for the fellowship and wrote a nifty little essay, one that was apparently well received, and the fee was waived. Hooray!

I'm quite excited as I feel this will really be a chance for me to learn and network with some professionals in the food industry, and particularly the food writing sector, and really be able to take and apply the information I pick up. In addition, there are some awesome tours and winery dinners to attend, and from what others who have gone tell me, some pretty raucous drinking every night as well (you all know who you are...).

T'will* be the highlight of my Summer for sure! Luckily my friends Ashley and Raul are kindly giving me a floor to sleep on for the 3-day event, so even more yayness there.

Cannot wait!

*Yes, "t'will" isn't a real word, but I like it, so blah.
________________________________

I was privy to bad news today, the beloved blog, Cupcake Bakeshop is apparently closing shop. It's quite upsetting to me, Cheryl was one of my major inspirations for blogging, and she was the one who got me into baking to begin with.

Keeping up a blog can be demanding, but keeping up an incredible blog can be life absorbing. I can understand her need to leave and respect her decision. I want to publicly applaud her though for all the incredible work she has done and the amazing amount of creative cupcake creations she has produced over the years. If you haven't been to her site, I highly encourage you to go there and read her archives from beginning to end.

Bravo to you, Cheryl. Thanks for all your breath taking, educational, and inspiring work.

8 comments:

  1. I am not surprised that your essay got you in. You write very well indeed. Congrats G!

    I am guessing you didn't appreciate my snarky comment about stupid comments?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks so much, Garrett! It's been fun co-hosting the cupcake round-up with you the past two years! You should keep it going :)

    Have fun in Napa - sounds like a great opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations Garrett and by the way gorgeous Thyme cupcakes.:)Please remind me of the Potluck date. Been under the weather and out of recently. Thank you. Happy Wednesday :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations!! I'm not surprised they were impressed with your essay, your write so incredibly entertaining.
    Have a great time and report back to us what you learn.

    ReplyDelete
  5. When I read that Cupcake Bakeshop was closing, my heart sank to the floor. But, it's comforting to know that you are still here to give inspiration-not on comment- making though. I am actually a little scared to comment on you blog now. Haha.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I too was sad to see that the Cupcake Bakeshop blog is closing down. It's far more important for Cheryl to spend time with her precious daughter though.

    Her site has been inspirational.

    Hope you will do another cupcake round-up Garrett, it was fun. Mx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Can I second what you say Garrett -and it would be great if you could continue the great tradition of the cupcake round up...

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like an amazing event! Can't wait to read all about it.

    ReplyDelete

Hey, you're leaving a comment! That's pretty darn cool, so thanks. If you have any questions or have found an error on the site or with a recipe, please e-mail me and I will reply as soon as possible.
~Garrett