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.
Congrats!!! Always inspired by the inventiveness of your recipes but comforted by the fact that they are actually doable, not just something you add to your food board on Pinterest for ‘inspo’ but never actually create at home.
thanks JS!! hahah – yup, i like keeping it simple :D
CONGRATS!!!! Your blog inspires me, a home cook & home brewer & writer & recent law grad, to COOK HARDER. Thank you.
thank you jon!! i feel inspired to cook HARDER after your comment! :D
First of all…CONGRATS! I am so thrilled for you! Secondly, I am not one bit surprised. Not even a little. You’re incredibly talented and inspiring, and they would have been hooligans to choose anyone else.
aww, thank you so, so much mandy!! xoxo
You represent our field beautifully, Stephanie. Sometimes tears do the work of words better than words could ever do themselves.
Enjoy your accomplishment!
thank you cheryl!! so, so lovely to meet you, even briefly! xoxo
Huge, huge congrats and so well deserved my friend!
thank you melissa!! xoxo and a million baked donuts sent your way :D
Congratulations!!!
thanks sylvia!! :D
Stephanie! I know I’ve said it already but I have to say it again — there is no one more deserving than you, gorgeous friend <3 And your touching reaction (it makes me wibbly again every time I remember it!) said it all. SO PROUD to call you my friend and miss you TONS!! Can't wait until we can hang again. (P.S. omg that IS a tiny plane!)
i miss you SO MUCH!!! we definitely need to hang again…a million, million (is that a billion?) xoxo’s!
Congratulations. All that work paied off in a second. That must be such a great feeling.
thank you rok!!
Totally deserved! It was such an immense pleasure meeting you. You are as awesome as your blog, which is saying a lot. xoxo!
OMG. can’t believe you are commenting on my blog!! :D heehee…it was SO nice meeting you.
Congratulations on your achievement!! Your blog is lovely :)
thank you shareba!!