Last night, I had the opportunity to attend a food blogger networking event. WBUR 90.9, Boston’s NPR News Station, hosted a “Eat-Up Meet-Up,” which was their first New England food blogger/foodie event.
After slapping on a name-tag, I headed into a big, open room full of about 35 Boston-area bloggers. I still forget how many wonderful food bloggers live in this city! It was really neat coming together as a group.
The event started with a brief introduction from the WBUR staff, and then each of the bloggers briefly introduced themselves. I am petrified of speaking in front of large groups, so my Carrots ‘N’ Cake summary was short and sweet! 
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After the introductions, it was time to E-A-T, which I suppose is what food bloggers do best! 
Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that there would be so much delicious food at this event, and I ate dinner before coming. But, of course, I always have room for wine and dessert! 
While chitchatting, I poured myself a small glass of wine. This bottle of wine was quite lovely, and I could have easily drank a bigger glass, but I was driving home later in the evening.
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Standing just a few feet away from the food tables, a Cranberry Orange Dark Chocolate Chip cookies immediately caught my attention, so obviously, I needed to taste what it was all about! I loved the zing of the orange zest mixed with the dried cranberries and huge chunks of chocolate, which were a particularly nice compliment to the fruit flavors. The cookie was so incredibly HOLY YUM…
I just had to have a second one!
Now, don’t get me wrong, I had a very nice time at the foodie event last night, but I am a horrendous networker– it is definitely a skill that I need to work on! Along with the other bloggers, I passed around my CNC business card– that counts, right?
Even though I didn’t “work the room,” I was able to get to know Shannon and Kelly, bloggers from the Small Plates dinner, much better. I’m so glad that we had one another as wingwomen!
After eating and mingling for about an hour, the group was pulled back together to discuss WBUR’s Public Radio Kitchen project as well as our own experiences with blogging. It was interesting to hear everyone’s perspectives on the blogging world. It seemed like a lot of us had similar ideas and opinions about the food blog community.
I left the event with so many business cards, which means that I have even more blogs to check-out, read, and get ideas from! 
All in all, the WRUR food blogger event was excellent! It sounds like there are future events in the works, so hopefully, I will attend another soon… and maybe then, I will be able to work on my networking skills!
Stonyfield Contest Winners
Thanks to everyone who entered the Stonyfield Photo Scavenger Hunt Giveaway! I used the same method to pick the winners as I did for the Valentine’s Day Photo Scavenger Hunt. Again, I used the Random Integer Generator to select 5 numbers from all of the entries.
Random Integers: 29 127 12 59 102
And, the winners are:
- Katie C.
Bothell, WA
- Meghan N.
Waltham, MA
- Amelia K.
Norton, MA
- Erin S.
Cherry Hill, NJ
- Jeannie W.
Charlotte, NC
Congrats to the winners! Keep a look-out for your Stonyfield prize package in the mail in the coming weeks!
Question of the Day
How are your networking skills? Does it come naturally or is it something that you have to work at?
{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
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SO FUN!!! Love the cookie(s)
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!
Tina,
DEFINITELY always feel nervous in situations where I don’t know anyone and need to network. But when I am even with one other person I know, then I feel okay
It will come easier with time, hopefully.
Kaye
WHat a cool event!! And those cookies…yum!
i am a wretched networker!!! i usually find one or two people (or the food table, haha) and stick to them like glue the whole time. supposedly it gets easier with practice, but i haven’t experienced that yet!
i love strangers….i think i love going around and meeting new people to find connections. its scary at first, but the thrill is so intense and so worth ti!!!i think its a skill everyone can work on though!
I am VERY shy, networking is not my thing
I’m not good at networking but I’m trying to learn that!
fun event!
I always get nervous infront me people! As a teacher i can speak infront of children but i always get so nervous infront of adults! Looks like you had fun though! Yummy eats!
When I was working for the State and had to be dressed in heels and panty hose and schmooze about a job I didn’t like, I was TERRIBLE at networking. I stood in the corner with my co-worker until my boss forced us to separate and work the room. Now that I own my own business doing something that I love, I’m way, way better at it! But I’m pretty shy in large groups.
Aww I’m bummed I missed that event last night! Although I too would of been terrified to speak infront of that group…esp about something that is more of a hobby than an actually business! I REALLY need to work on networking (for me real job too)…I may take a public speaking class sometime this year (probably post-wedding), hopefully that will help me in all aspects.
That cookies looks incredible! I think I’ll have to come up with a recipe to replicate it!
The blogger event sounds like a lot of fun! I wish my city had a meet and greet; it would be great to get to know other bloggers in the area. I don’t mind speaking in front of groups, but I’m a little shy when it comes to introducing myself to new people.
What a fun event! I am only so-so at networking.
Awwww how fun! I am actually pretty good at networking I gotta say? I think it’s because I simply love to talk, or I just naturally talk a lot. I’m very receptive of other people’s personalities-it’s def something nice to have and you can absolutely work on that by just realizing you’ve got a lot to offer girl!
That is so cool! I wish they did something like that here! The cookie does look amazing!
Hi Tina, Was so nice to meet you at the meet-up! I am really enjoying going through your blog. Cheers!
does passing around our cards count as networking??
i was glad to know a few faces!
these were the cookies:
http://erincooks.com/2007/12/02/an-erin-cooks-christmas-day-1/
i forgot to say i think i’m interested in your yoga challenge…
@ttfn300: Thanks for the link! I am obsessed with these cookies!
Networking is definitely something that I have to work on. I remember at my first MBA welcome event at NU, I was so awkward! But over the past two years of being in the program, you just learn to push yourself into striking up a conversation and finding a commonality with other people. Sometimes you vibe naturally with people (who are usually just as nervous as you are) and sometimes you don’t! But I think the more events you “throw yourself” into, the better you’ll get!
Your event looks like it was fun, plus that cookie looks amazing!
Networking is something I definitely need to work at. I can be super shy (which is funny to people who know me) but I know that pushing myself is always a good thing!
Tina, this is so freakin cool!!!!!!! I so wish we had fun events like this in my area!!!
Tina, I just wanted to say that you’re blog is my favorite! It was one of the first food blogs I started reading and I just adore it. I am looking to visit Boston really soon, maybe I would be able to meet up with you and some Boston bloggers!
Anyway, I am pretty shy when it comes to public speaking and such so networking isn’t my strong suit either. However, I have no shame when it comes to talking about my blog or food if someone asks me about it, so when people I don’t know ask me why I am taking photos of my food, I am able to network that way! If someone approaches me, it is way easier for me. I used to be almost in tears when public speaking or talking to strangers but it keeps getting easier for me!
@Nicole: Thanks for such a nice comment!!!
If you’re ever in Boston, definitely contact me! I’ll arrange a bloggie meet-up!
That looks like fun! I wish I was better at networking, too. I am a pretty outgoing person and don’t have too many issues with public speaking, but something about networking makes me a little uncomfortable–maybe because it always feels kind of forced and disingenuous to me? (I know it’s definitely not always that way, but I have that view of it; I have been to some really bad networking events in the past!) I would much rather ‘network’ with one or two people over lunch or coffee; big networking events don’t appeal to me very much.
That cookie looks amazing.
Networking is definitely challenging, but it does get easier with time. I find the first “connection” to be the hardest one, and I just try to remind myself that everyone in the room probably feels the same way I do!
You did a great job covering the event although the picture is reminding me how unphotogenic I am.
As we discussed, I HATE networking. It’s weird because I love public speaking and making formal presentations and being on panels but I hate unstructured networking events. I’m much more of a small group person and get flustered very easily.
Oh I have lots to say! 1) I’m drooling over that cookie! 2) What an awesome idea for an event! I work for Charlotte’s NPR station and would LOVE if we did something cool like that (and with cookies like those!!) 3) I can’t believe I won the scavenger hunt. YEAH! 4) Networking is super hard. I think it’s something you get better at with time though, so just keep working at it!
That looks like SO MUCH FUN!
how fun! I hope i get to attend some sort of food blogger event sometime!
congrats to the winners – i Must have bad luck with that random number thing
that cookie looks divine! have a great weekend!!!
That sounds like so much fun!! I am jealous.. I would love to attend a food blogger event. Congrats to the winners.
zesty
It looks like the event was a great time – sorry I missed it!
I think networking can definitely be learned. Being in a sorority and going through recruitment was a a blessing as I have been confident in professional networking. The thing to realize is, you’ve got to just jump in. No one is judging you, and just start a conversation. I’m sure you could be great at it!
Looks like a fun event! I love that Goats Do Roam wine!
I also agree that networking is a job skill just like any other…and it’s one I really need to work on! Especially since I do PR/marketing! Next week there’s a big event at work and I’m making it my goal to get over my shyness and fear of networking.
I was just talking to a coworker about this yesterday! Perfect timing. One tip she gave me is to realize that the people you’re talking to want to get to know you and talk to you as much as you do them.
I love that wine! It’s one of my faves.
I HATE networking.
What a really cool event. Don’t you love big cities for events like that?
Social networking… humm. I can get shy in front of a group from time to time, especially if the people are older (I’m always wanting to impress).
I love that wine too! YaY! What a fun evening!
I’m horrible at networking and just meeting people for the first time in general. I stink at small talk but I’m working on it!
Congrats winners, love the event!
how fun. thanks for inspiring me to host a nyc blogger meet up.
Oh, have you ever been to wagamama’s, i went to it in London, and the only location in the US is boston.
@Melissa: Yes! It’s excellent! There are actually TWO locations in Boston!
Hey Tina!
Looks like you guys had a blast. One of these days i’m going to actually make it out to meet some boston bloggers! Darn work. Keep me update on any new events.
Thanks!
Sounds like you had a fun event!
How fun!
Those cookies were amazing! Great pictures and nice write-up. I’m not much of a networker either, but it was a really nice event. : )
That looks so fun! I am horrible at Networking! I am super shy and hate speaking in front of people! We will see what happens at the NYC meet-up!
What a fun event!
The cookie looks so good!
Oh my! what a GREAT event!!!!!!!!
Looks like you girls had fun! I totally would have joined if I was in Boston last night.
How fun! I would love it if I could meet food bloggers from my area!
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