I’m the kind of girl who talks a LOT. In fact, my first ever report card had a lovely note for my parents to interpret at will: Stephanie talks too much during circle time. I haven’t changed much. I still tend to talk too much, both in and outside of circles. Of course, words elude me when I become overly emotional. At that point, my words dry up and the tears start to flow. It’s happened to me many, many times, but the most recent time was so spectacularly public that I’m turning a bit red even writing about it.
the tiniest plane ever.
On Wednesday I boarded a tiny plane and headed off to Vegas for the 5th Annual Saveur Best Food Blog Awards. I went with no expectations, other than an absurd amount of anticipation for meeting some of my favourite food bloggers. I wasn’t disappointed. It was incredible to meet so many new friends! We talked about food, of course, but more so, we just talked, which is so, so much better in real life than over the internets.
so fancy!!
Saveur and the Bellagio put on a great show: there were dim sum demonstrations (complete with shrimp dumpling bunnies!), chocolate demonstrations, meatball making and general merriment all around. But of course, I’m sure you want to hear about the crying.
Fast forward to the lovely awards ceremony at Sensi and Helen Rosner saying the sweetest things about ALL of the food bloggers and the food world in general. She says there won’t be a formal awards ceremony as all of the awards are the same (awesome Le Creuset frying pans) but, she is going to announce the Blog of the Year. “This is it!” I think, surreptitiously looking around for the winner. I’m convinced they’ve flown in a surprise winner/famous blogger and I want to spot them. Helen says something about the blog getting everyone excited about getting in the kitchen and I turn to Molly and whisper, “I think it’s V.K. Rees!”
Next thing I know, Helen’s announcing, “and that blog is: I am a Food Blog.” TOTAL, COMPLETE UTTER SHOCK. Immediately tears start pouring down my face. I feel trembly and incredibly hot. Like sweaty hot. There are so many cameras and congratulations and I’m actually an incredibly shy person so the attention was a touch overwhelming. I’m speechless. I’m a mess. I’m incredibly, incredibly thankful.
I wasn’t able to give a speech, even though Helen asked me if I wanted to say a few words. I was too busy crying to be coherent. But thankfully the internet is all about words so here I go: Thank you to Saveur for making us feel like rock stars and thank you to the Bellagio for hosting. Thank you to Helen, Cory, Camille, Kristin, Demetria and everyone else at Saveur that I have yet to meet (that’s you Oliver!). A million thanks to all the food bloggers out there for being the wonderful community you are – you amaze and inspire daily. Thank you to Mike because who else would take me grocery shopping as a date on Friday night? And of course, thank you to you, dear readers!
Please check out all of the other winners and nominees. They are truly a lovely bunch!
PS – These are all iPhone photos, which isn’t my usual jam, but I didn’t bring my camera! Thanks to Cynthia for the picture of me crying/laughing, which is more common than I’d like to admit.
OY YOY YOY steph i have SHIVERS. i am SO happy for you!!!!! tears are an absolute beautiful thing. your blog is the rulingest, you are the sweetest and dammnit, it is so well deserved! you lucky LADY you got to meet some sweet radical bloggers, too! i am stoked we live in the same city and extra stoked for some major snacking when you get back from PS! WOOT!
aww, lyndsay, i’m going to cry again…must stuff face so no crying…and YES to snacks when i get back!! xoxo
How lovely Stephanie! Love the photos and the experience looked amazing! The nomination was thoroughly deserved and you looked beautiful! Congratulations :) x
thank you so much millie!! xoxo
Awww, girl!! You so deserve both the awards! You’ve created such a lovely, gorgeous, and inspiring space. A truly unique kind of space. Thank you for sharing this moment with us who weren’t able to cheer you in real life, in real time. You ARE a rock star! xoxo
thank you, thank you sini!! i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, i wish you were there too!! next time, right?!
OMG!!!!! MANY MANY CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!! This sounds like a fantastic experience!!!!!! Your blog is lovely! <3
:D thank you samina!! xoxo
Yay, well done indeed! It’s a beautiful blog that I’ve been enjoying very much so it was lovely to see you shortlisted, and then to read this is even nicer. CONGRATS!
i know, i was so excited to be shortlisted!! this was over the top. thank you so much for the love kavey and right back at you!! xoxo
Congratulations!!! I recently discovered your blog and been enjoying it so much. So happy for you! :)
thank you yized!! xoxo
How exciting! I love ALL of these blogs. Thanks for doing this bloggy stuff.
oh i know, ALL the blogs nominated are AWESOME!!
You ARE quick with the recap! This is so lovely. It was SO great to meet you and so many talented folks this past week. Coming from the cocktail world it was amazing to be introduced to this whole other, beautiful world of food and the brilliant minds behind it. Congrats, again!! xx
:D it was SO nice meeting you too!! may the food world and the cocktail world forever be joined as one! xoxo
Congratulations!! You deserve it! You really do! Please snatch a few of those bunny shrimp dumplings for me, say hi and kisses to Molly and Cynthia for me. Love you guys!
if only i could send you some bunny dumplings!! but…if there was only one person in the world who could figure out how to recreate them, it would be YOU! love you lots mandy!! xoxo