So last weekend I spent two days in New Orleans at the International Food Blogger Conference. In addition to taking brooding solo walks through the French Quarter, treating myself to a delicious bagel (God, I miss bagels), and learning all about the Mardi Gras Indians on an accidental late-night art gallery trip, I was able to network and talk shop with some of the country’s most well-known food bloggers. There was also a keynote speech by the hilarious and well-dressed John Besh. (John Besh!) In one weekend, I learned more about the ethics, the time management, and the technical side of food blogging than I would have if I had just muddled through on my own. I experienced the food and lore of New Orleans. The day that I left, the valet attendant who parked my car all weekend told me I was “a good person.” I don’t know that such a compliment would mean as much coming from a New Yorker or a Los Angeleno.
I took the Acadian Trail home, suddenly enamored with our state and feeling both humbled and inspired. I couldn’t wait to get home and put everything I had learned into practice. The weekend has me looking at Louisiana through fresh, unbiased eyes (no small feat during what has easily been the hottest, most inhumane summer of my life), and I’m ready to breathe some new life into Savoring Shreveport.
If you follow Savoring Shreveport on Facebook or Twitter, you may already know that I recently scored a writing job at SB Magazine. I’ll be covering food and cultural events (as well as some travel, when my budget allows), and my first article comes out in the September issue. I can’t, nor would I be interested in, putting the same articles in Savoring Shreveport–so rest assured that there will be fresh content here, free from the restrictions that come with writing for a legit publication. My note to you, though is this: Any time I sing the praises of an establishment in SB, it’s because it’s somewhere that I genuinely enjoy and feel comfortable recommending. I’m not okay with writing advertorials, and my opinions cannot be bought.
The same goes for Savoring Shreveport. I still don’t put advertising on the site, I still won’t accept comped meals. I started this blog with one goal: to give accurate reviews of local restaurants as a regular person with no agenda. I will continue to work towards that goal.
But there will be some changes. In the coming weeks, I’ll start the process of revamping the look of the blog. I’d like it to be a little more professional and intuitive, with less of a generic feel. Despite my blogging background, I’m a bit of a Luddite–so this part may take some time.
I’ll be in touch with the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, in an attempt to stay abreast of local restaurant openings. And I’ll focus a little more on upcoming food- and drink-related events.
Suggestions are always welcome on the Facebook page, and you can get in touch with me directly at savoringshreveport@gmail.com. Don’t be shy! You can also follow me on Twitter @savoringshreve.
I hope you’re as excited as I am. Until then!
Congrats!!!!
Sounds great!