(If you missed them, click here for parts 1 and 2 of my trip to Austin, TX for the annual BlogHer Food Conference.)
Saturday was our final day at the conference, and we wanted to squeeze every last bit of Austin out of it. We woke earlier than usual and walked downtown to the Austin Farmers Market. Hungry and eager to explore, we moved quickly through the stalls until we found the Tacodeli stand and dove into breakfast tacos—warm tortillas rolled with eggs, bacon and cheese. They were simple, fresh, and exactly what we needed. Judah enjoyed his so much he finished it right away. Soon after, Ben and Judah grabbed shaved ice from Jim-Jim’s, confessing they’d already sampled it the day before without me!
After the market we walked to Jo’s Coffee, a spot I’d been eager to try. I enjoy scouting local coffee shops when we travel, and Jo’s quickly made its way onto my favorites list. The coffee was excellent, and the place serves full breakfast too. On our first visit I bought an iced coffee and a bag of beans to take home for our French press. The next morning we returned for breakfast before driving home—yes, we had breakfast tacos again, and plenty of coffee.
Back at the hotel I freshened up for a private luncheon hosted by Dole Foods—an event I was especially excited about because it was being held at a local mansion. I met up with other bloggers in the lobby and we headed over together, anticipation high for good company and great food.
It was a treat to see friends from home—two Michigan bloggers I adore, Sheila and Liz. I wish I’d taken more photos with all the new and familiar faces; Simon kept me on my toes and I missed a few photo opportunities. Still, it was wonderful to connect in person and swap stories between bites.
The luncheon took place on a beautiful back porch overlooking an infinity pool, where Chef Ben Ford demonstrated how to make shrimp spring rolls. In the kitchen, Susan and Paula prepared a spread that proved to be the event’s highlight: shrimp spring rolls, pork sliders, Moroccan-style flatbreads, a mandarin orange salad, pineapple upside-down mini cakes, and strawberry shortcake. We washed it all down with White Pineapple Sangria and Pineapple Cranberry Punch—refreshing and perfectly balanced with the food.
Everything was made with Dole packaged products. I appreciated learning that many of Dole’s items are not genetically modified, and that they plan to add a GMO-free label to their BPA-free packaging soon. For busy families, reliable packaged ingredients can save time and reduce stress in the kitchen, so it’s reassuring to see a brand focusing on transparency and convenience.
We also received Dole-branded coolers filled with a few surprises, which was a fun and practical gift. I admit I was excited to have a new cooler to take home—Ben teased me about it, but I couldn’t be happier with such a useful keepsake.
The meal included a fun recipe tasting contest where guests tried to identify ingredients. The prize was a trip to Santa Monica to sit next to Chef Ben Ford as a judge at the Dole California Cook-off—and my friend Liz won! Her surprised reaction was priceless and well deserved.
After the luncheon I attempted to attend a conference session, but Simon grew restless so we left. The event closed with a party at Stubb’s BBQ, hosted by Ree Drummond and Jaden Hair, but Simon needed rest so we skipped the later festivities. I missed the photo booth and meeting The Pioneer Woman in person, but getting my son settled and rested before our long drive home felt like the right choice.
All in all, the conference was a joyful blend of food, friends, and inspiration. I’m already looking forward to next year—will you be there?