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.
GAHHHH!! i’m going to cry again. MISS YOU SOOO MUCH!!!! xoxoxoxoo
i have sad face right now :( i miss you TOO much!
You are quick with the recap! Congrats again and so nice meeting in person.
heehee, yup, only because i didn’t have my camera so there was no photo editing going on. it was so nice to meet you two!!! xoxo
so precious. soooo… i’m trying not to cry too.
aww, phi, i really wish you could have been there! let’s meet up one day and eat giant salads together :D
How amazing!!!! You definitel deserve it Stephanie! :)
thank you so much vanessa!! xoxo
CONGRATULATIONS! You deserve it so, so much. You are seriously such an inspiration. And so glad you had a great time! Enjoyed keeping up with everybody’s pics. XOXO
thank you michelle!! you’re too sweet!! xoxo :D
CONGRATS again!! This trip sound INCREDIBLE!! So excited for you!
aww thanks tieghan!! you’re the best! :D
You rock! So very well deserved. Congratulations once again.
Thanks so Saveur for bringing us all together and introducing us such an amazing group of super talented people.
thank you prerna!! so nice sitting (somewhat) close to you at dinner!! it was so lovely of saveur!
Congratulations!!! I’ve only just discovered your blog recently but it’s good to know I picked a GREAT one to follow! :)
thank you so much farah! :D
Congratulations!!! You are such a source of inspiration–that must have been such an exciting moment!
thank you laura!! gosh, it was so many things all at once…excitement and shock and….it was just too much! :P
I am so crazy jealous! My boyfriend was in Vegas this week on vacation and I went nuts when I found out he would be there at the same time as the awards. I wish I could’ve been there with him so I could drag him to the Bellagio and crash the Saveur party. I would’ve loved to meet all you amazing bloggers! Seriously, you guys do amazing stuff.
ooh, you totally should’ve crashed the party!! :D