I woke up much too early today, Friday, Sept 26th in Portland OR, but I’m just so excited. Yesterday I loved prepping my early Good Day Oregon segment: Ganache 101 at the Sweetpea Baking Company , while the bakers and cake decorators – who were incredibly kind about sharing their space – were busy doing their own work ahead of the early opening.
The kitchen door connects right to The Herbivore Clothing Company, where owner Michelle was hosting the show. Christy Morgan, The Blissful Chef who had already done her segment (as had Homegrown Smoker Vegan BBQ! but she sliced and toasted the baguettes I needed to make for my Chocolate Crostini. Joe, our GDO host, looked great in this Herbivore hoodie, and I’m still smiling about his loving the vegan chocolate desserts! He went gaga for the Chocolate Crostini and Bittersweet Chocolate Truffles, both of which I am making at my Sunday #PDXVegFest demo at 2pm!
Good Day Oregeon Host Joe in an Herbivore hoodie asking, “Don’t you need dairy to make chocolate desserts?” My answer, “Nope!” He swooned tasting the Chocolate Crostini and so did the camera man! The proof is in the tasting.
Today, I’m baking Spiced Pumpkin Muffins with Grant Butler, food and entertainment writer for the Oregonian. He’ll be posting that recipe, and the Pumpkin Bread from More Great Good Dairy Free Desserts Naturally (Book Publishing Co. 2006) in his column in time for Thanksgiving, and our baking video too. Later in the afternoon, I am meeting two volunteers from Portland VegFest who are going to roll a lot of truffles and more in preparation for my dessert demos at #PDXVegfest. Sat 3:30pm in the Pear Room: Triple Coconut and Chocolate, Fruit Parfaits (a new recipe!) and Sunday 2pm in the Pear Room, I’m definitely all about working with chocolate. If you are anywhere the PNW this weekend, come to #PDXVegFest at the Oregon Convention Center. You don’t need to be vegan! This is a family friendly event with low cost admission, lots of food to taste, chef demos, health talks (Joel Fuhrman, MD), Fitness, #PlantBuilt team and Christy Morgon, Ellen Jaffe Jones and Alan Roetinger… oh, go to the website and see. I’ll want to sign your copy of Vegan Chocolate. Find me at Herbivore and Book Publishing Company too. (Find me also shopping, eating, listening, and smiling ear to ear. This is the 10th anniversary of the great Portland Veg Fest sponsored by NW Veg.
Finally, breakfast today at the vegan B&B, my home for a few days, The Cherokee Rose Inn. The gracious owner Sandy cooked a Southern (vegan) Breakfast of biscuits, black eye peas, polenta and greens, with cashew gravy which I certainly enjoyed. The other guests, Sarah and James drove down from Calgury for VegFest. I learned, among other things that they are huge fans of Our Hen House podcasts. Hey Mariann and Jasmine, we are talking about you!
Am I happy, excited, over the moon here in Portland? Yes I am!! Anyone who is anywhere near PCN, get yourselves to the Portland VegFest, this weekend, Saturday and Sunday September 27 and 28th. You won’t be sorry.
Cheers from Portland. I’m leaving for Seattle and Theo Chocolate, Field Roast Grain Company, NW Chocolate Show on Monday. I hope you’ll come along with me.
Happy holidays too to my Jewish friends and family.
L’Shana Tova.
With gratitude and happiness.
Fran
P.S. Have you been to VegFests? Do you have a favorite one, or one that’s on your wish list?
Looking fwd to seeing u n ur demo of the chocolate coconut parfait!
It was so lovely to meet you at the Cherokee Rose Inn! I can’t wait to try some of the recipes in your cookbook. Everyone will be getting vegan truffles over the holidays. 🙂
It was wonderful meeting you, sharing that yummyt breakfast too. I’m happy to know you’ll be giving the vegan truffles as holiday gifts. Which of the recipes in Vegan Chocolate: Truffle Chapter will you make?