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Jackietweets
Over the past few weeks I’ve been sent this link by a variety of people I know - a designer, my other half, a friend…and it’s made me laugh every time because it’s so very, very true.
Enjoy and Happy Friday!
January found me teaching another Food Photography 101 workshop to another group of great local food bloggers. This one was held at Irashai Grill (follow Irashai on twitter here)with the help of their fabulous PR and social media maven Danielle, and of course we had to stay for lunch after which was delicious, as always!
I love all the food bloggers I’ve met through these workshops - they’re all so curious and eager to learn; it’s so awesome! And check out their blogs:
Community Kitchens website and blog
Victoria’s Food Secrets Follow Victoria on Twitter Fan her Facebook Page
And what happens after the workshop always cracks me up: we sit down to eat in a few of the booths, but out come the cameras, putting their workshop knowledge to the test! You can also see some of the bloggers who posted their pics afterwards.
Just a few days before the holidays my assistant extraordinaire and I packed the car full of gear in the wee hours of the morning and headed over to LOCAL Public Eatery to photograph some food, some drink and some people enjoying it all. Who says you can’t enjoy beer and pancakes at 8.30am? We did! (Oh, not the beer - we left that to the boys). Here are some shots from the day.
LOCAL Public Eatery (belonging to Joey Restaurants) is right on the corner of Cornwall and Yew in Kitsilano (where Malone’s used to be) and their big focus is beer. They’ve got what they call lightweight lagers, middle weight ales & brews, and their heavy weights with more flavour. Their mantra from the kitchen is common food done uncommonly well and they have tons of options for all meals of the day.
A big thank you goes out to Ashley, Chef Chris, and all those people who showed up (for beer and pancakes) that morning!
• To connect with LOCAL Public Eatery: twitter • facebook • website • location •
1. Because I got to work with this inspiring and accomplished gardener/writer.
2. Because these specific photo shoots (yes, plural) fit so many of my ‘perfect assignment’ criteria, including what holds the #1 spot on that list: collaboration.
3. Because in a couple of months, there will be this tangible thing I’ll get to hold in my hand and celebrate with the writer on. Rarely does this happen in my line of work.
4. And because she’s just as excited as I am.
(WAHOO!!)
I’ve been reading a lot of everyone’s New Years resolutions, their favourite parts, proudest accomplishments and major milestones from 2009. I certainly experienced some of my own in these departments, as well as some less than favourite parts, all of which I am going to quietly continue to mull over for another day until I firm up the things I am going to rock for 2010 (they’re pretty much all set - it’s just the Type A personality of mine that needs to read through them all yet again).
In the meantime, I’d like to wish you all the very best for 2010! I hope it’s full of new experiences, accomplishments, celebrations, and of course good food & drink with friends & family.
Cheers,
Jackie
I am proud to introduce Robyn, the newest addition to Jackie Connelly Photography! Coming from UBC she is keen, enthusiastic and I only hope I can inspire and teach her what she’s craving to learn. Beginning in January Robyn will be giving me a hand with some hefty sales & marketing tasks over the coming months, all of which I’m excited to be sharing here soon.
Quick intro before her foodie responses:
“I am working with JCP as a marketing intern this year, and I have a fascination with food & lifestyle photography - I cannot wait to learn more from Jackie in the coming months! I am currently taking my final courses for an English Literature Honours degree at UBC, where I am also teaching English writing, taking a course on food & travel writing and doing some freelance photography. I write about lifestyle & inspiration on a lifestyle & inspiration blog and will be a weekly guest writer for a yoga lifestyle blog. I am in the process of designing a website with my photography portfolio and hope to complete it soon. Last year, my husband and I lived and traveled in Europe for twelve months and are eager to return for more travel quite soon!”
Is there a certain food or dish that reminds you of home? My mom’s perfect chocolate chip cookies.
What is the ideal Robyn meal? I adore crab cakes.
Are you a ‘cook at home’ or ‘find the newest hotspot in town’ type person? Both. My husband and I love to cook together and it’s one of our favourite ways to spend time together. Our little kitchen is the most loved room in our apartment. We also love to experience the tastes of the city - whether casual Asian food in take-out boxes, the perfect latte from an eclectic little cafe or an elegant many-course meal at one of the finest restaurants - we love it.
What are you having for dinner tonight? A meal inspired by a documentary on casual Vietnamese food: rice noodles and white fish cooked in tumeric and coconut milk, then topped with fresh dill, spring onions, bean sprouts, red chili, peanuts, lime, fish sauce and tamari, eaten with chopsticks.
Is there one food that gives you the heebie jeebies? Lentils - the texture!
White Chocolate, Macadamia Nut, Cranberry Cookies
Guest post by Shannon of Bakergirl Creations
As I write this, I can see the snow swirling up. Isn’t that fun? Rain seldom goes anyway but down, thanks to gravity. But snow, with its delicate ice crystal formation goes round and round and round. The joy in this moment is sitting here with a perfect cup of tea and an incredibly tasty, fresh from the oven white chocolate macadamia nut and cranberry cookie.
In the last week I have baked more than 200 cookies. That’s a lot. In fact, that is three cookie exchanges worth of cookies, plus a few random batches that got made for the freezer,. That’s right, three. The first was hosted by Jackie, and had several foodies and food bloggers in attendance. It was a lovely afternoon. We only had to bring two dozen, and then took two or three from each person there, leaving with two dozen new cookies. There I made espresso, chocolate dipped shortbread snowflake cookies. Then there was my book club cookie exchange, this one required six dozen cookies. The twist with this cookie exchange was really it was a “goodie” exchange so I made chocolate dipped almond clusters – a take on Almond Roca. Finally, the cookies for this post came from a work cookie exchange – now that’s a lot of cookies.
The base of this cookie is from Dorie Greenspan’s, Baking from My Home to Yours. I like the texture, but like to mix up the additions: chocolate, nut and other goodie options. I’ve made it with Toblerone chunks, Smarties and now white chocolate, macadamia nuts and cranberries. While white chocolate and macadamia nut is not new, I thought adding the cranberries would be a nice festive touch.
These are a breeze to make. The key, as in for most cookies is to make sure the butter really is at room temperature. If not, it’s really hard to really fluff or whip up the butter.
Ingredients
2 cups AP flour
1 tsp salt
½ tsp baking soda
8 oz unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup lightly packed brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup macadamia nuts, chopped
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1 cup chopped white chocolate
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 F
Sift together flour, salt and baking soda into bowl.
In a stand mixer, whisk butter for about 2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add sugars and whisk for 2 minutes until fully incorporated. Add vanilla and eggs, one at time, beating for one minute after each is added to thoroughly incorporate. Be sure to scrape down the sides, so all that goodness gets mixed in as well.
Add dry ingredients in three stages. Do not over mix. Then fold in cranberries, nuts and chocolate.
Using a melon baller, mine is about 1 ½ Tbsp, scoop batter onto a cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are turning golden and the center is no longer doughy. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 2-3 minutes to cool and get a little more solid. Place on cookie rack to fully cool.
Makes about 45 cookies.
Gary over at Eat Magazine asked me to post some info for the upcoming Menu for Hope Campaign the magazine is involved with. Of course I’m happy to spread the word on such a great and important project. Here’s the low-down:
“EAT Magazine is proud to be participating in this year’s Menu for Hope Campaign. Menu for Hope was started in 2004 by food blogger Pim Techamuanvivit (Chez Pim); in her words, “banding together food and wine bloggers from all over the world in support of worthy causes”. This year the campaign is in support of the United Nations World Food Program’s new initiative Purchase for Progress, and runs from December 14th - 25th 2009.
EAT editors have assembled a prize package bursting with local food items, including the Farm Folk/City Folk 2010 calendar, a 20g. bag of Untamed Feast’s delicious dried wild mushroom products (Forest Blend), locally grown roasted hazelnuts from Butler Hazelnut Farm in Central Saanich, Vista d’Oro Farm’s Turkish Fig with Walnut Wine preserves from Langley, a ½ lb. bag of Mile 0 Roasters Niagara Blend from Victoria, Cortes Island-based Gathering Place’s Organic Rooibos Tea, and two chocolate bars from Cobble Hill-based organicfair. Web Editor Rebecca Baugniet has also thrown in a signed copy of her latest cookbook, 500 Casseroles.
This beautiful package’s retail cost is close to $100 CDN. But with only a $10 donation to the UN WFP’s Purchase for Progress, you will be entered in a raffle for this prize. Tempted?”
To make a donation and enter the raffle, and for more info on Menu For Hope please see this page on Eat Magazine’s website.
Luxurious dining, the best black truffle pizza I’ve ever tasted in my life, and a spectacular view is truly what you get from MARKET by Jean-Georges at the Shangri-la Hotel in downtown Vancouver. I photographed one of Justin Tisdall’s cocktails, and five dishes prepared by Executive Chef David Foot and his team for their general restaurant promotion & advertising use, as well as for a trio of breakfast, lunch and dinner images that are hanging on a banner at the Alberni Street entrance to the restaurant (below).
view of the Alberni Street entrance to MARKET
The goal of these images was simply put: up close and personal. No props, white plates & linens, make it all about the food! Here are a few of the images to get your tastebuds going…and do stop by for the black truffle pizza, I’m not even exaggerating the tiniest bit, it’s heavenly.
*Update: as of January 2nd this workshop has reached capacity. Please do send me an email if you’d like to be put on the email list for the March workshop on Food Photography & Styling!
We’re doing another one! For those of you that couldn’t make it to the December 5th food photography workshop for food bloggers, you’ve got another chance!
Food & Beverage Photography 101: A Workshop for Food Bloggers! (and other creative types!)
11am-1pm, Saturday January 9th at Irashai Grill in Vancouver, BC
Why is this a perfect workshop for food bloggers?
I continually get asked how to shoot better in restaurants with low lighting, or at home in natural light, and without spending wads of cash on equipment. That is exactly what this workshop is all about: simple and affordable solutions that will improve your photographs.
Not a food blogger? But love shooting your kitchen creations and want to learn a few techniques? That’s ok - you’re more than welcome too!
To Register
Email Jackie with ‘Register me for Food Photo 101 Workshop‘ in the subject line. I will send you some info immediately, as well as a PayPal link to confirm your spot.
The Details
• Saturday January 9th at Irashai Grill located at 1368 West Pender Street, Vancouver BC
• Workshop is 11am-1pm, followed by Q&A with Jackie over lunch from 1pm - 2pm *cost of lunch not included; lunch prices range from $9-$18
• Guaranteed 1-on-1 time for every student
• I will teach you step-by-step how to set-up your shots using some specific food & beverage examples, while using your camera’s manual settings
• We will shoot in a variety of set-ups including natural light, restaurant lighting, and a commonly used softbox lighting setup
• I will be sending out some refresher notes before-hand, and some workshop notes for you to take away from the session
• Cost for the workshop is $45 (gst included) and there are only 10 spots available = the most personal attention from me
• All you are required to bring is your camera, it’s manual, a tripod and your appetite!
© 2009 Danno
