One of the bonuses of food blogging is you sometimes get to meet your fellow bloggers. An even rarer occurance is when you meet one from your same town/city and you greet each other as though we were old friends getting together to play “catch up” and spend the day together.
Such was the case this past Thursday when Judy of No Fear Entertaining and family (posse) came to downtown Toronto to meet me for drinks, lunch and some shopping.
We had lunch in one of the city’s dining jewels, located in Cabbagetown and then we headed over to Kensington Market to do some grocery shopping from street-side food stands and some fish from the Greek fellows I know.
As someone who love’s food, there can be nothing better than being in the company of others like you who recognize and enjoy good food, never tire of talking about good food or seek out good food. That’s how our day went and I wouldn’t change a thing about it!
My advice as a blogger is get to know the people who frequent and comment on your blog, use some common sense with who to approach and seek others who share similar life paths. Judy and I grew up in the same era and our jokes, life experiences and Toronto upbringing brought us together (along with the attraction to each other’s food).
Without throwing caution to the wind, try and organize a gathering, seek out bloggers where you might go to vacation or extend an invite to anyone who might be visiting your town. In my instance, I got lucky by meeting new friends…thanks Judy and Mr. T!
On to some food, as it’s as much about sharing as it is about taste, flavour and aroma. I’ll be having some friends over at my place for a BBQ and in the ensuing days, I’ll share with you some of my favourite dishes (that Souvlaki recipe is coming) and some new ones and even a “Kalofagas Mama” recipe for a Strawberry Shortcake!
Not being the type to blog without offering up a dish, I leave you with a surprisingly delicious pork chop recipe that’s easy to prep, gives neutral pork a punch and it’s easy enough to whip for the family for a weeknight barbecue.
What we have here is a Cumin-Crusted Pork Chop with a zesty peach salsa. It’s latin inspired with the use of crushed cumin seeds and cilantro perfuming the salsa. I added my own stamp on the dish with some oregano to complement the cumin.
This dish is obviously for those who enjoy the aroma and flavour of cumin. This dish works best if you pound or crush cumin seeds…the ground up crap doesn’t cut here and the final result is a mellow, flavourful recipe that puts some new life in the staid grilled pork chop.
We should name you Mr “Food Blog liason Officer”..lol. Its nice to see you catching up with others nd showing them the foodie spots of Toronto. As for your pork chop, “yes please..can I have extra cumin?”.
i do feel very fortunate to be living in a small town on an island, and still get the chance to meet my fellow bloggers – so far, one from Kentucky and the family of a New Yorker. I’m meeting another blogger today (we’ll see how we write up the post), and there will be another one coming up in autumn (that post is sure going to be an interesting one!)
That is some pork chop! It is definitely not what I get at my butcher when I ask for a pork chop. This gives me some idea of why North Americans like them so much.
It’s always nice to read about foodie encounters!
The cumin pork chop looks to die for and if it has oregano even better.
Gorgeous chops, Peter. Love the peach salsa too. Big flavor and yet so simple. How great to hook up with a fellow food blogger!
That peach salsa sounds delicious. Anything with cumin and cilantro is good for me. And so great to meet other bloggers. I need to start doing that. Looks like a lot of fun.
Judy seems like a genuine person and I’m glad that you had a chance to meet:D
Peter would you disclose the name of this Cabbagetown gem to a gal who just moved to Cabbagetown and has yet to seek out any of its restaurants?
Efharisto poli!
I loved this post…of course it was about me!!!! We had so much fun and it was like meeting up with an old friend! Great looking pork chop Peter. As a fan of cumin I will need to try this!
T. and the girls say “Hi” as well!
This is ironic, because a whole group of Ann Arbor area food bloggers are having a meet-up this afternoon. I just finished making a couscous salad for the event. I’m glad you had a lovely time!
Pete, I like the title, “Social Convener”! lol
Maria, I think it’s because so many people pass through Crete…ain’t it great?
Foody, I think 3/4 in. chops are good.
Lore, I was worried about cumin overkill but NO…it was wonderful.
Angela, the peach salsa was a pleasant surprise.
Ben, I knew you’d take notice of this dish…very much Mexicano flavours.
Val, Judy rocks!
Maria, I have no problem divulging this dining gem, email me and I’ll fill you in.
Judy…ME ME ME, aren’t ya? lol I had a blast and thank you for the lemons too!
Jen, I’m delighted to hear Michigan foodies are meeting up and I hope you’ll share and blog about it.
burny, slightly bitter, sweetness from the peach and I bet there was a tang of some sorts in there. Yip, I think you’ve covered all the flavors there! What a flavor bursting dish!
As for meeting up with great bloggers, I agree!!!
burny, slightly bitter, sweetness from the peach and I bet there was a tang of some sorts in there. Yip, I think you’ve covered all the flavors there! What a flavor bursting dish!
As for meeting up with great bloggers, I agree!!!
burny, slightly bitter, sweetness from the peach and I bet there was a tang of some sorts in there. Yip, I think you’ve covered all the flavors there! What a flavor bursting dish!
As for meeting up with great bloggers, I agree!!!
burny, slightly bitter, sweetness from the peach and I bet there was a tang of some sorts in there. Yip, I think you’ve covered all the flavors there! What a flavor bursting dish!
As for meeting up with great bloggers, I agree!!!
burny, slightly bitter, sweetness from the peach and I bet there was a tang of some sorts in there. Yip, I think you’ve covered all the flavors there! What a flavor bursting dish!
As for meeting up with great bloggers, I agree!!!
burny, slightly bitter, sweetness from the peach and I bet there was a tang of some sorts in there. Yip, I think you’ve covered all the flavors there! What a flavor bursting dish!
As for meeting up with great bloggers, I agree!!!
burny, slightly bitter, sweetness from the peach and I bet there was a tang of some sorts in there. Yip, I think you’ve covered all the flavors there! What a flavor bursting dish!
As for meeting up with great bloggers, I agree!!!
burny, slightly bitter, sweetness from the peach and I bet there was a tang of some sorts in there. Yip, I think you’ve covered all the flavors there! What a flavor bursting dish!
As for meeting up with great bloggers, I agree!!!
burny, slightly bitter, sweetness from the peach and I bet there was a tang of some sorts in there. Yip, I think you’ve covered all the flavors there! What a flavor bursting dish!
As for meeting up with great bloggers, I agree!!!
Can I come to your BBQ?….Please??
We’ve got to meet up in Greece somewhere next year!!
Oohhh Peter I hope some day we meet us, Judy look nice and lovely, so fun you know , Im envious (a little) well your dish look fantastic and yummy how ever. xxGloria
You look like you had a wonderful time. I’m jalous. We should organize an event for the foodie in BC. That would be great. Next time I’m in Toronto I want to meet with you Peter.
What fun to meet another blogger!!
Very sexy pork chop and I am loving the idea of peach salsa. You’ve sure been busy!
Peter I want the same tour when I return.Sounds like a terrific time.
Blogging is a great way to meet other people who share your interests. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know some bloggers in Boston, and I’m looking forward to the BlogHer conference next week, where dozens of food bloggers are gathering. Will look forward to meeting up with you on our next visit to Toronto.
Yay! Two of my favorite bloggers, together at last. I get such a kick out of meeting fellow bloggers.
first of all, what the heck kind of store are the three of you standing in front of? looks kinky. :)
second, that’s a huge, delicious-looking piece of pig, and the salsa is gorgeous.
hurry up with that strawberry shortcake–it’s a favorite of mine! :)
I was curious as to the store you all posed in front of. I love to shop and that store looks interesting. I know this is a strange post, but I had to ask. Ha ha!!!
But I do love a good peach salsa. Speaking of peach I’m hoping to make a peach pie soon, very soon. What’s that song? :…love your peaches, want to shake your tree?” Is that it??
Happy cooking Peter.
Sounds like such fun you had! I never had peach salsa but that sounds awfully good. Will have to make a point to try some soon!
that pork chop is nice and thick and looks super juicy! it’s so nice that you got to meet yet another food blogger!
Peter!! I think that is so great you had the opportunity to meet up with someone in your home town!! That’s huge.. I totally dig the photo of you and judy with “Mr T’s” reflection in the backgroud..
I’m always looking for ways to kick up a pork chop.. I’m going to try a variation on it this week! Thanks for the inspiration :) Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!
There is nothing more fun than meeting your fellow bloggers! Thanks for sharing the photos.
This is great! I’m glad you and Judy had such fun!
I got to meet Kristin of Dine & Dish a few months ago and we’ve become great friends in the months since. I may also get the chance to meet Mike of Mike’s Table soon… and that would be a fun coffee/lunch I’m sure!
I love meeting fellow bloggers too. Making new friends is definitely one of the perks of blogging. I met a reader of my blog last week when i gave away some sour cherries. Makes me happy. :-)
And that pork chop with peach salsa looks fantastic. What a glorious day!
Geia sou Peter:)
The dish looks great, the peach salsa looks fantastic, I love dishes with meat and fruits.
But the most important is of course that you met a blogger friend and you had nice time together.
I hope we can meet each other when you visit Greece:))
Nina, you’re bang on with the flavours in this pork chop dish.
Jan, it would be wonderful to meet up, same time next year?
Gloria, food blogging has brought many wonderful people together and it would be a pleasure to meet you.
Helene, you folks in BC should try a get together and I’d love to meet up with you.
Aimee, summer is busy but it’s full of fun stuff.
Glam, I’ve got other plans for you! ;)
Lydia, the BlogHer conference sounds fantastic! If you do visit Toronto, look me up.
Heather, you know we’re destined for a debauched blogging weekend, dontchya?
Grace, the store in the background is a clothing store, located in funky, hip Kensington Market. The strawberry shortcake will arrive soon!
Dawn, the costumes on the manequins are to commemorate the upcoming Caribana festival and parade taking place here in Toronto. As for the song, I was thinking of that Presidents of the United States of America tune! ;)
Jackie, the peach salsa was a nice surprise…paired well with the earthy pork chop.
Never fulll, I get my chops cut 3/4 in. thick, that works best for me.
Maria, it was a fun day of foo, laughter, shopping and making new friends.
Kalyn, you’ve met many and I’m trying to catch up…a great by-product of blogging.
Sandie, great to hear you’re mixing it up too…both the bloggers you’ve met sound like people I’d want to meet too!
Zen, you & I, mon ami must meet up one day soon…a Greek and a Gaul? Lots of good trouble!
Geia sou Elena, I will call you when in Greece to see if our holiday schedules agree and allow us to meet, it would be wonderful.
woah! what a pork chop! fantastic!!!!
Also nice to see Judy and to be able to put a face to a name! Looks like you all had a great time. BTW, what’s with the underwear shop in the background?! Was that done on purpose? :)
That’s really neat. I might be having a food blogger encounter in the coming days as well…its funny, a year ago, I’m not sure I expected my site to even still be around, let alone that the abstract entities on the internet would become real, live, breathing people who I could meet and talk to. Sounds like a fun day (and, of course, good looking pork)!
That’s really neat. I might be having a food blogger encounter in the coming days as well…its funny, a year ago, I’m not sure I expected my site to even still be around, let alone that the abstract entities on the internet would become real, live, breathing people who I could meet and talk to. Sounds like a fun day (and, of course, good looking pork)!
That’s really neat. I might be having a food blogger encounter in the coming days as well…its funny, a year ago, I’m not sure I expected my site to even still be around, let alone that the abstract entities on the internet would become real, live, breathing people who I could meet and talk to. Sounds like a fun day (and, of course, good looking pork)!
That’s really neat. I might be having a food blogger encounter in the coming days as well…its funny, a year ago, I’m not sure I expected my site to even still be around, let alone that the abstract entities on the internet would become real, live, breathing people who I could meet and talk to. Sounds like a fun day (and, of course, good looking pork)!
That’s really neat. I might be having a food blogger encounter in the coming days as well…its funny, a year ago, I’m not sure I expected my site to even still be around, let alone that the abstract entities on the internet would become real, live, breathing people who I could meet and talk to. Sounds like a fun day (and, of course, good looking pork)!
That’s really neat. I might be having a food blogger encounter in the coming days as well…its funny, a year ago, I’m not sure I expected my site to even still be around, let alone that the abstract entities on the internet would become real, live, breathing people who I could meet and talk to. Sounds like a fun day (and, of course, good looking pork)!
That’s really neat. I might be having a food blogger encounter in the coming days as well…its funny, a year ago, I’m not sure I expected my site to even still be around, let alone that the abstract entities on the internet would become real, live, breathing people who I could meet and talk to. Sounds like a fun day (and, of course, good looking pork)!
That’s really neat. I might be having a food blogger encounter in the coming days as well…its funny, a year ago, I’m not sure I expected my site to even still be around, let alone that the abstract entities on the internet would become real, live, breathing people who I could meet and talk to. Sounds like a fun day (and, of course, good looking pork)!
That’s really neat. I might be having a food blogger encounter in the coming days as well…its funny, a year ago, I’m not sure I expected my site to even still be around, let alone that the abstract entities on the internet would become real, live, breathing people who I could meet and talk to. Sounds like a fun day (and, of course, good looking pork)!
Peter, you look great! How do you stay so fit and healthy with all your amazing dishes? You such fab stuff everyday, I would gain 10 pounds a week!
Hey, swing by our place if you’re ever in California. You can actually cook for us too at our place. We’d like to order a couple of your grilled seafood dishes please!
Oh how FUN! :D That chops recipe is gorgeous, too.
What a lovely picture! Yeap, you are like the Ambassador of the foodie bloggers, you are getting to know so many :D.
The recipe sounds super! There’s some pork waiting for me in the fridge and I’ve got the herbs, still some greek oregano :D
How fun! Looks like you have a great time & even better that you had good food to compliment the day. I love fruit with pork – I’ll have to try this one very soon.
xoxox Amy
Hmmm, I think your dance card is going to be full for awhile — time to clean up a spare room and open a food blogger hostile? :-)
Oh, and what a sexy pork chop! I love freshly crushed cumin, the more the merrier.
YAY! :) This is so cool! I love Judy!
Who would have imagined the serendipities, such as these friendships, associated with blogging?
How fun! Sounds like a great day. I met a blogger in NY at the Stationery Show.
Mmmmmm, spicy pork chop! And I love the sound of the salsa. Glad that you met some fellow food bloggers :) I rememebr how nervous I was when I went to meet my first online food blogger friend 4 years ago – what if she’s a psycho? What if we have absolutley nothing to talk about?? But we hit it off so well that we now live in each other’s real-life pockets and have even holidayed together for a week last summer, en famille!! Since then I’ve met hordes of food bloggers – some South African, some English, and some just passing through London – there’s even a list in my sudebar :)
Yum cumin crusted pork sounds fab! I love cumin so much but my partner does not at all … so I don’t get enough of it. Darn. This sounds so yummy!