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You are here: Home / Workshops & conferences / South African Food Blogger Conference / The CookSister speaks – in Cape Town!

The CookSister speaks – in Cape Town!

by Jeanne Horak on February 11, 2010 9 Comments in South African Food Blogger Conference

FoodBloggerIndaba2010

So what are you doing towards the end of March?  I know some people who would hyperventilate at the mere thought of planning that far ahead and committing themselves to be at a particular place in two six hours’ time, let alone six weeks!

But me – I’m a forward planner.  I think it comes with the territory of living in a foreign country – suddenly your planning horizon expands to the next trip home, and to get good deals this has to be booked almost a year in advance… and suddenly you find yourself routinely booking things months ahead.  Some people might say this takes all the spontaneity out of life, but planning trips so far in advance also means that you can make sure that all the cool stuff happens during your visit.

Shortly after I spoke at the Food Blogger Connect ’09 conference here in London last year, I started chatting to my fab friend Colleen of Kitchen Diary about the possibility of doing something similar in Cape Town.  It’s always easier to see the problems and the reasons why not to do something, but after much discussion, many e-mails and a marathon phonecall wen I was in South Africa in December, it seems that the dream is becoming a reality.  This March we are holding the first ever South African food blogger conference in Cape Town, and I have been billed as the principal speaker!

If you’ve ever needed an excuse to visit Cape Town (or, indeed, South Africa), could there be a better time or a better reason?  Here is the low-down:

DATE: Sunday 21st March 2010

VENUE: The Cooks Playground at The Cape Quarter on De Waterkant

COST:  Between R400 – R450 (£33-37 or $52-58) (final price to be confirmed)

Confirmed speakers at the moment are my talented friend Nina Timm of My Easy Cooking, who will be talking about photography and food styling, and… me , talking about the nuts and bolts of blogging, finding your voice, and the law & ethics of blogging.  We are also hoping to have talks about monetising your blog and social networking.  In short, everything you need to know to be a food blogger!

This is an independent food bloggers conference and is not tied to any specific blogging platform and is therefore open to all food bloggers and foodies across all blogging platforms and across the world.  If there are non-bloggers out there who love reading food blogs and are interested in starting up their own food blogs, you are also most welcome to attend.  And of course, sponsors of any kind are ALWAYS welcome!

RSVP: Please can you let Colleen know as soon as possible if you are planning to attend by contacting her on [email protected]  or [email protected] and leaving her your details so that she can get back to you.

Has there ever been a better reason to visit Cape Town?  Just think – this could be the perfect opportunity to work your way through my Cape Town culinary tips, or my South African omnivore’s 100!

And in other news, have another look at my post on my famous cupcakes – I have posted a few pictures of billboards featuring them that I have seen around London.  If you spot my cupcakes (so to speak…!), please snap and send me a picture, and I will add it to the post!

And in yet other news… there is still time to enter my pancake giveaway!  All you have to do to be entered into the draw to win the goodies below (courtesy of Morrisons) is to leave a comment on my Mexican chocolate & hazelnut crepe stack post by midnight on Saturday 13 February. (Please note that I can only ship to the UK.)

PancakePrize

 

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  1. Costa, Kara's Original Greek says

    February 12, 2010 at 5:42 am

    Heya! Greetings from a foodie blogger / manufacturer in Durbs S.A.
    You have a really lovelly site, and I find it truly inspirational, I certainly have lots to learn… : ) Keep at it! Greetings, Costa

    Reply
  2. Marisa says

    February 12, 2010 at 9:16 am

    YAY!!! Can’t wait to meet the people behind the blogs in March!

    Reply
  3. Colleen says

    February 12, 2010 at 1:27 pm

    I can’t wait…..thanx so much Jeanne :o)

    Reply
  4. Charlotte says

    February 12, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    What fun! If I was going to be in Cape Town then, I’d be there like a shot!

    Reply
  5. Kit says

    February 12, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    Oh wow! a blogging event in Cape Town! And you guys speaking – I’ll be there! I can cope with planning in advance for this.

    Reply
  6. stella says

    February 12, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    Wow! That is amazing. I’m new to blogging, and even getting a post on my site tires me out. This is mostly due to photography frustrations. You must have a lot of energy. I hope it is fun and productive!

    Reply
  7. Sarah, Maison Cupcake says

    February 12, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    I’m definitely a planner, being spontaneous is one step too close to chaos for my comfort zone. Besides you get to spend all that time looking forward to stuff. Those peeps are very lucky to get you on their bill as your talk at FBC was both inspiring and useful.
    Please do NOT enter me for the frying pans. You know why!!!

    Reply
  8. deeba says

    February 13, 2010 at 8:45 am

    You tempt me so Jeanne. I like forward planning too, and hope one day I shall be a free bird and fly across the globe!

    Reply
  9. Kitchen Butterfly says

    February 17, 2010 at 8:26 pm

    Jeanne…..I’ll be even farther away than the Netherlands then…..on an island. I’m talking blue seas…..heat and Carribean food! But….I wish I could hear you speak again…..about Cat blogs :-). I still hear your voice…in my head!

    Reply
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Jeanne Horak is a freelance food and travel writer; recipe developer and photographer. South African by birth and Londoner by choice, Jeanne has been writing about food and travel on Cooksister since 2004. She is a popular speaker on food photography and writing has also contributed articles, recipes and photos to a number of online and print publications. Jeanne has also worked with a number of destination marketers to promote their city or region. Please get in touch to work with her Read More…

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