Hello everybody! Stay warm and follow today’s #MNMOtv with #DaraCo blogger @FreshTartSteph. Lets roll!

Stephanie:    Ready @JoelECarlson ! We should talk about food or something, ha. Thanks for inviting me!

So @FreshTartSteph. Tell us, where did you grew up, attend school and what did you want to be when you grew up?

Stephanie:    I grew up in freezing cold Grand Forks, ND. College in freezing cold Madison, WI at UW. Now I live…yeah. I wanted to be a chef.

I think it’s called “Cold Country”. :) So when did you start food blogging and what was your intended focus?

Stephanie:    Indeed :) I started food blogging Jan 6, 2006. My birthday!

“I can hardly imagine that anyone would ever want to read what I think about things…” My first blogged sentence. Still true, ha.

My intended focus was moderation. A concept I, um, struggle with. My blog at the time was called Moderate Epicurean – dumb name.

I changed my blog’s name to Fresh Tart a couple of years ago, but really, there’s still an underlying theme of moderation, health…

…eating real, whole food. That’s what I honed in on over time. Eat Real Food. Simply prepared. Cook for your family.

Interesting. What would you say your focus is now and how has being a GF eater effected you and your blogging?

Stephanie:    Being a #glutenfree eater has changed my life and definitely Fresh Tart. The whole food focus hasn’t changed, but I post very few…

…recipes that contain gluten or any grains at all. Recipes focus on vegetables, meat, fish, eggs, nuts, little dairy. I’m NOT…

…a fan of packaged #glutenfree food anymore than I am about packaged food in general. I think it’s fair to say that you…

…wouldn’t know that I’m #glutenfree by reading Fresh Tart. It’s just about cooking real food.

Alright. So how and when did your relationship with @MNMOmag start? Do you post for any other Co.?

Stephanie:    I met @DearDara at a wine tasting without knowing who she was. Gave her my blog name. Almost fell over when I actually introduced…

…myself. BIG. FAN. GAH. Anyhow, she read my blog, told me about the #DaraCo idea, I said I’d love to contribute, we launched…

…spring of 2010, I believe. I love how all of our perspectives come together, I’m very proud to participate. I also contribute…

…@ShootTheKitch with @susanpowers. @andrewzimmern’s Kitchen Adventures @fandw. I intend many more recipes for @Stuffed_Pepper…

…which is specificially #glutenfree recipes, great blog. I have a few recipes coming out in cookbooks this year, food photos…

…in other publications, working on a cool book concept, working on a food blog conference idea. How insanely fun, right? Amazing.

Food-socialite! Besides being a food blogger, you’ve also grown as a photographer. When did that interest start?

Stephanie:    I’ve always loved taking pics, millions of pics, I just used to photograph my then-baby, Nathan. And my garden. And my party food…

…which my family thought was weird. I got interested in improving after I saw the horror of what I was first posting on my blog.

To me now, it’s all about the pics. As @susanpowers says, if people don’t want to eat the food in the photo, forget it. No one…

…come back to your blog. Not now. Not now that standards have changed, in the world of @foodgawker & @tastespotting.

How much would you say photographs add in value to a food blog?

Stephanie:    Photographs – GOOD photographs – are imperative. Instant bonding with a reader. Something to chat about. Drives a recipe…

…and its potential into someone’s brain, and stomach, in 1 second. Done.

It makes me sad for chefs/restos when people take bad phone pics & post them. All that hard work, made ugly. Don’t do that :(

So how has your #MNFoodBloggers group been doing, and what other food related projects do you have in the wings?

Stephanie:    The #MNFoodBloggers are on fire as a networking group. Who knew? Our FB page http://on.fb.me/qj8AqA has more than 320 members…

It’s an all-day conversation about food, recipes, photos, job opportunities, on and on. Follow @MNFoodBloggers + #MNFoodBloggers!

The coolest thing #MNFoodBloggers are doing is raising money for local food charities. We’ve only just begun, but more than $2000

…so far, with more ideas in the works. In fact, those are the other food-related projects I’m most excited about. Food + kids!

We have a website, rough, but in process www.mnfoodbloggers.com. So far @GourmetGlee is contributing blogger spotlights. My sis

…@staceymaude manages the rather lengthy blogroll. And @littlepod is publicizing local food events. MUCH to do, redesign, badge…

Recent or long-term FAVORITE: Restaurant, comfort food, cooking tool and seasoning or spice.

Stephanie:    Mmm dude, I am genetically programmed to not pick faves. Did you hear me on @weeklydish? I eat @128cafe @HeidisMpls @CTKitchentable

Also @VincentMpls (twice yesterday, yah), loved @Victory_44 last week. Heading @Solera_mn next week, can’t wait. Lots of cocktails..

…Marvel Bar, yum. Honestly, I don’t even eat out that much bc I cook so much. Comfort food…polenta, I think. W tons of butter.

Tool: Sharp knives. Die without them. Spice: Cardamom obsessed at the moment, it shifts. I’m fickle.

You’ve been on a few radio programs lately. Would you consider your own show or segment on radio or TV?

Stephanie:    Dude! Way to put me on the spot, evil. I…don’t know. Flying by the seat of my pants. I love doing all of it. I’ve had a few chats

…about radio, TV, who knows, could be a blast, could be nothing. Fun to see where it all goes. All signs point toward –> FOOD.

And shoes :) And fun. All signs point toward fun, yes!

Joel:    I’ve got to keep the Twitterview SPICY! (Food pun). Thanks Stephanie for your time and comments today. Great fun!

Stephanie:    Thanks so much @JoelECarlson! Blast!

@JoelECarlson: Hello everyone. Having a good FRIDAY? Lets start it off well for you with a Food-Friday Twitterview with chef @scottpampuch.

Q – #1    So @scottpampuch, did you always want to be a chef and work with food?

Scott: Wow, I have no idea what I have “always wanted to be” as a kid, I thought teacher, but over the years, cooking has always been passion, so, watch what you wish for I guess.

Still learning about # and this whole #twitter thing

Scott: My goal for the #Twitterview is to reach 1000 followers and then buy everyone a drink tonight that comes in for 10@10 if I reach 100 followers!

Q – #2    You mentioned to me that you wanted to get into broadcasting, but switched to food. What triggered the switch?

Scott: My switch out of broadcasting? Two words: small market radio. Wait, that is three. Loved the cities when I moved here + did not want to go back to small town.

Q – #3    When it comes to food, you have @CTKitchentable, @TourdeFarm and you just started #CSK today. Explain what each is.

Scott: @CTKitchentable This is the restaurant that I opened in 2004. 43rd + Nicollet http://bit.ly/fKEak7 #jectv “Farm driven, not chef driven”

@TourDeFarm #jectv This was created after doing a dinner with @leahOITF They Rock!! Just asked permission to copy the idea and there we go. http://bit.ly/4vqcZF

#CSK = Community Supported Kitchen = Membership based program to get local food into peoples hands in a simple and convenient way and help inspire them to cook new things.

#CSK It is a lot more than just that, but check it out here. http://bit.ly/hEGIXW You know 140 characters and all, I could go for an hour on this one. Ask any of the #MNFOODBLOGGERS about it as well.

Q – #4    You are one busy man! So with @CTKitchentable, has it changed or evolved at all since you first opened it in 04′?

Scott: @CTKitchentable Changed in all aspects except for one. Farms. We have evolved the menu, we have become more #local , no seafood.

@CTKitchentable I could go on for hours about that one topic, the evolution of a restaurant. It is what works for me, I love it.

@CTKitchentable I told @RickNelsonStrib when we opened that If i could change the name and the concept every year I would. But always #local
@CTKitchentable I would love to do an Italian restaurant, all local, Spanish restaurant, all #local, burger joint, all local. Seeing a trend?

Q – #5    Let move on to @TourdeFarm, you started that in 09′. Any changes to that format? How many come & any announcements?

Scott: @TourDeFarm + @melikes @krishase Are working hard on this season. There will be a #breakfast event this year. #jectv There will be new faces + new places.

This is all about a conversation for me. #jectv Talk about food. Think about food. Engage your food. Listen to others + celebrate what we do.

@TourDeFarm Will be doing 2 picnics + one dinner this year.

I am also working with @beardfoundation on an event this year as well. A huge deal for me to work with the James Beard Foundation.

Q – #6    You are doing fine on Twitter. You talk a lot about using Local Food. Isn’t that tough with all of the seasons in MN?

Scott: Sorry, had to sneak that in there. #jectv Ah, #local food. All the Seasons in #Minnesota is what makes cooking local amazing.

Cooking local is more than just lettuce + tomatoes. #jectv Dairy, meats, there are so many things out there that we can get now year round now that we could not get before.

When I started almost 7 years ago, we could not get lettuces year round. #jectv Now that so many have started to buy #local and allow farms to reinvest in themselves, we are getting so much more great stuff year round.

We got green beans last week from #Whitewater Gardens with the help of @hsfpigs Green beans this soon? #jectv Yes, really. Two words: Season Extention

Needless to say we have green beans all over our menu and specials right now. I love the seasons in MN

I was in NY and saw on a menu beef from Minnesota. Made me very proud.

The seasons in Minnesota make me a better cook. #jectv It challenges me to be very creative and very understanding of balance on a plate with very little.

I could talk a lot about that questions.

Q – #7    A few things before we close. 1) How’s the harmonica, guitar playing and cycling going?  2) How can Co-Ops improve?

Scott: Right. Well, all those were attempted hobbies, that well, just are out there, and maybe someday. But for right now, Not So Good.

Co-ops? How can they improve? Wow. INSERT CAN OF WORMS HERE!!!

I think co-ops do a great job in getting people in touch with food. Bottom line. We have a great bounty of #local food.

How could they get better? #jectv #gocoop No matter the quantity of #local food that a buyer gets their hands on? Buy it. Even if in small amount. Just sell as much as you can. Keep up the good work!

Really, I shop @The_Wedge, and talk to produce guys all the time. They have connected me with some new farms.

@JoelECarlson: Thanks @scottpampuch for your thoughts and comments today. You are doing a LOT for the local food community in MN! Have a great day!

Scott: Well, I did not make 1000 followers so no #freebeer tonight. Sorry all. #jectv but come in and check out 10@10 tonight. Free burgers

Thanks very much Joel. #jectv. I will just keep trying. Glad to be part of a great local community. We have good dirt in MN. Makes good food. #local #gocoop

On what felt like the 1st day of Spring in Minnesota, the MN Food Bloggers group had their 2nd meetup at the South Minneapolis restaurant owned by Scott Pampuch, Corner Table.

Corner Table is located in the King Field neighborhood of Minneapolis and has a wonderful feel to it when you step inside.

Stephanie Meyer, the organizer of the group, has many and wonderful connections with the Food Bloggers in Minnesota, and so getting a ticket to this event is a prized gift.  You get the opportunity to meet many talented people who cook in a variety of styles and complexities. Each with their unique take on cooking, and they are also very welcoming when you get to meet them for the first time in person.

To say that Scott Pampuch knows how to cook and put on a good spread of food is an understatement. You can tell when he talks about his work that he really has a passion for it.  His presentation shows that he genuinely loves what he does and takes care in doing so. Below is just a brief showing of what his talents are.

The group that assembled together all came because they are Food Bloggers, or at the very least, a foodie. They aren’t looking to talk about the latest prepackaged food product or brand, they want to hear and taste things fresh from the market, garden or farm.

The topic was food, but even here, the paparazzi where in full effect. Snapping up pictures of the various food offerings and the foodies in the flesh.

At the event, Scott shared a new offering that he is going to make available soon, it’s a CSK or Community Supported Kitchen service. It will allow people to get on a weekly basis, a box of foods that have been prepared for families of 2 or 4, which are quality farm foods for people in the metro area.

After the presentation was done, Scott invited all of the guest that were interested, to come into the Corner Table kitchen and cook up the contents of a CBK box.

Scott Pampuch, Corner Table and Stephanie Meyer all did a great job with the 2nd, in what hopes to be many, MN Food Blogger events.  If you are a foodie and enjoy lively discussions as well as taste testing a variety of quality food, make sure you get a ticket this wonderful event.