A bunch of us met up around 4pm today, to go to an ‘event’ at Stone Brewery. It was a San Diego Foodies and other meetups I either run or assist in running. Nice group of people!
Did I mention that we’ve got 391 members and we would like to hit 400 this month?
Live in San Diego? Click here and sign up! And then Show UP!
Already a member? Send this to your best 5 friends and have them join! We’ve got lots of events and the ‘heads up’ for many of the food and wine festivals throughout California. I’m even thinking about creating a meetup for the Truffle Festival coming up next year in Napa! Yeeaaah! If you can think it? I can create it! Come get involved!
About tonights’ event: I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me but…. none of us understood that it was an author who wrote a book about where to find all the breweries in San Diego (ever hear of the web?) and he was selling them. He wasn’t talking. There was NO tour of the brewery. There was NO tasting of beer (you had to walk over to the bar to get and pay for your own).
They gave out tickets through Eventbrite. Well? Wouldn’t you think you turn in your ticket for a beer? Or a goodie bag? No. You turn in your ticket for a chance to win…. ? Win? …. What? (I’m still not sure). And the purpose of that? To gather your information for a database, so he can solicit you more.
I don’t know. In my day, you go to an event and the author TALKS and tells you inside dirt on what he went through to write the book, or behind the scenes stuff that didn’t make it into the book. He autographs the book for ya! It’s exciting!
One of the people that joined us tonight, let’s call him Steve…. and his date or friend came, and they were so disappointed with the event that I had to buy him a beer to cheer him up! lol He still refused to join us for dinner! But I know he knows I did what I could.
So we were 6 people around the table.
I don’t like to dwell on the negative…
But my friends, I will say this:
WHAT CHEF?
It ain’t right. People sit in rush hour traffic and start out early enough to get there right around opening time, but still hit that parking lot known as the 5 frwy going south around 4pm and what are they rushing to? A non event! I’m as disappointed as Steve was. Somebody buy me a beer! lol
YOU’RE QUITE THE CHARACTER CHEF!
Yes. Yes I am. Anyway, I wasn’t going to let this stop me. I had printed up two sheets for each person, talking about how to pair beer and food. I think it was good information. And… off we went, into the brewery to enjoy an early dinner together. We talked, we laughed, and we got to know each other better. Each person was so different. And each, had lots to offer in the way of conversation, stories about what they do, who they are, what other events they enjoy. We even had a fairly well known photographer share some photos with us. Simply amazing. I was truly impressed. The hint I came away with?
WHAT CHEF?
Lighting is everything. I’ve been shooting food for over a decade. Sometimes, it just takes a little reminder like that… to change how you do things. (Oh yeah! That’s why I have the big Nikon. To set my F-Stops myself and get the shot)!
I really like creating meetups. But unless I’ve actually planned the event? I can’t control it. When I’m just listing an event, the way it’s presented to me. That’s all I can do and hope for the best…. hope they have their act together.
What I can control? Making sure everyone gets introduced to each other and pull people together for a meal! And at the end of the day? All’s well that ends well!
Did you notice I’ve said nothing about the food at the Brewery?
YES CHEF! WHY?
Because this particular location (not the same in Escondido), used hot peppers on everything except I think the hummus. Covering flavor with hot spice? Not my idea of working the flavors. It’s equal to deep frying, or using butter and cream to create flavor. And I just don’t appreciate it. That doesn’t mean you won’t. Just means I don’t.
And I just heard that they’re now expanding outside of California. So they will become yet another company that started locally and went nationwide. Bravo! I like that. Just hope they refine their recipes! Hey! Maybe I should do a little food consulting, like I’ve done for other San Diego Restaurants? That’s a great idea. Thanks, my readers!
YOU’RE VERY WELCOME CHEF, BUT I DON’T SEE HOW WE DID ANYTHING….
Trust me… you did. Every blog I write you comes up something new, something I hadn’t thought of before.
Special thanks to all who join me for my meetup events. By the way, did you know this month is National Blog Month? I should be blogging EVERY day? lol
Ya see what you can learn at an event of mine? lol
Happy Eating,
Chef Marian