I praise myself of being an “enthusiastic eater”. I have a triad of passions—writing and photography are uno and dos—and the third is food.  It’s not only pleasure what food brings to me, it has also given me the opportunity to meet wonderful, warm and engaging people in Seattle and other cities.

I am honored to participate in Menu for Hope, and was very excited when the West Coast host of this great initiative, lovely Shauna from Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef, gave me the thumbs up. I am thrilled by the purpose of this food-driven event, where a bunch of enthusiastic eaters get together to share, contribute, and support a great cause with fabulous gifts.

Pim, from Chez Pim, is the mastermind behind this project.  Feel free to visit her blog to get more details about Menu for Hope 6.  In a nutshell, Menu for Hope allows us food lovers to donate to the UN World Food Programme’s Purchase for Progess (P4P) campaign.

The main goal for P4P is to connect farmers to markets by helping them improve farming practices and building on local procurement.  The program’s stated purpose is to “Enable smallholder and low-income farmers to supply food to WFP’s global operations and to gain more by doing so. P4P will give farmers the know-how and the tools to be competitive players in the agricultural marketplace. It will also put more cash directly into their pockets in return for their crops.”

How can you enter and donate for Hope Raffle?

You can donate on your behalf.  You can donate on behalf of others.  You can make an anonymous donation. As my friend Jeanne (from Four Chickens) says in her own Menu of Hope blog post, “Raffle tickets are great gifts and stocking stuffers.” I couldn’t agree more!

Please visit both Shauna’s and Pim’s sites in just a bit to browse for all of the West Coast/US bid items. It’s as easy as that!

How to Donate:

1. Choose a bid item or bid items of your choice from our Menu for Hope main bid item list.

2. Go to the donation site at Firstgiving and make a donation.

3. Please specify which bid item you’d like in the ‘Personal Message’ section in the donation form when confirming your donation. You must write in how many tickets per bid item, and please use the bid item code.

Each $10 you donate will give you one raffle ticket toward a bid item of your choice. For example, a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for EU01 and 3 tickets for EU02 – 2xEU01, 3xEU02.

4. If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.

5. Please check the box to allow us to see your email address so that we can contact you in case you win. Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

My contribution

I am offering a two-hour long photo tour at Pike Place Market OR a two-hour long in-studio photo session. Winner gets to choose one of the options.  If you want to bid for this item, make sure you use the code UW16.

The photo tour includes a mini 101 photo class while strolling around the most compelling areas of Pike Place Market. We will visit and photograph the Gumwall, the fruit and veggie vendors, flower stalls, artisans et al. I have a big, ‘ol crush on our fair city’s main market, so expect some talk about its history and legends.

If the final choice is the photo session instead, it includes a two-hour long session at my studio in SoDo (with light makeup and styling). I am even throwing in five 4×6 professional quality prints.

There are many wonderful things worth bids, bids, bids!  Give a small or a big gift to someone who will warmly appreciate it!

Thank you! / ¡Gracias!

Sculpture by Ted Trey Jones. Photo by Valentina Vitols, Seattle 2009

Vaquero. Photo by Valentina Vitols, Mexico 2009

Ojo de Metal y Palo. Photo by Valentina Vitols, Mexico 2009

Kevin & German, my students at Esperanza Viva. Photo by Valentina Vitols. Puebla, Mexico 2009

Wonderful Sounders Family Fun! Photo by Valentina Vitols, Seattle 2009

Timothy & Lori at Volunteer Park. Photo by Valentina Vitols, Seattle 2009

Timothy & Lori at Volunteer Park. Photo by Valentina Vitols, Seattle 2009

Violet at Olympic Sculpture Park. Photo by Valentina Vitols, Seattle 2009

Violet at Olympic Sculpture Park. Photo by Valentina Vitols, Seattle 2009

Double Decker Bells! Photo by Valentina Vitols. London, UK 2009

My little man. Photo by Valentina Vitols, London UK 2009

Do you like B&W or Colour? Photo by Valentina Vitols, London, UK 2009

Hey, London! Photo by Valentina Vitols, London UK 2009

After we were back in Seattle, we attended a book event with Jaden Hair, the food writer for Tampa Tribune, television chef on Daytime and Tampa Bay’s CBS whose blog, SteamyKitchen.com, is a smashing hit. We got together at Bustle in Queen Anne, in a lovely event put together by Keren Brown Media (@franticfoodie on Twitter).

All assistants were encouraged to bring their signature dish. Jaden picked one to prepare on her TV show. The lucky winner was Scott Heimendinger (@seattlefoodgeek on Twitter).

Jaden generously sharing tips and stories with us. Photo by Valentina Vitols, Seattle 2009

RegionalBest.com sponsored the event. Photo by Valentina Vitols, Seattle 2009

My cheese, leeks & turkey bacon bread bowl (I cook some times!) Photo by Valentina Vitols, Seattle 2009

Listening to great stories. Photo by Valentina Vitols. Mexico 2009

I am very excited to invite fellow Seattleites to come visit Ryan and I at my studio. Please join us in a wonderful afternoon of art at the Orange Door Studio Open House! The best part of this event is that we will be showing the work Ryan and I photographed in Mexico. This is my first show with my super talented husband, which has me jumping up and down.

Nothing can top sharing a passion with your significant other.

Dog. Photo by Ryan Bello. Mexico 2009

Bull horns. Photo by Valentina Vitols. Mexico 2009

Our show is called Mírame, Tócame (Look at me, Touch me), and it’s a collection of Portraits and Texture images we made while in Puebla and Mexico City a few weeks ago. We will also share our experiences at Esperanza Viva, the house for homeless children in Puebla we visited for four days. Along with Aver Schools, we taught a photography class to children between the ages of 7-15. Both Ryan and I were humbled by the experience, and are very grateful to all the people we got to meet and work with during the duration of our trip.

Tree. Photo by Ryan Bello. Mexico 2009

We’ll have nibbles, music specially picked for the occasion, and a small portrait studio set for those who want to bring their cameras and play with studio light. We also want to let everybody know that this a kid-friendly event (in my studio).

Doors. Photo by Valentina Vitols. Mexico 2009

Some of our neighbors will have their studios open. We encourage you to visit them as well.

Participating artists:

Christopher Balder – Scott Fife – Laura Haddad & Tom Drugan – Martino Hoss – Gene Gentry McMahon- Jen T. Mills – Joseph Pentheroudakis – Sally Schuh – Ellen Sollod – Valentina Vitols

Date: Saturday, October 17th, 2009
Time: 13:00 to 16:00
Place: Orange Door Studios
Address: 1941 1st Ave S, Seattle WA 98109

Email: studio at valenvitols dot com

We will love seeing you there. Feel free to RSVP here.

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A friend, a lovely American girl a met when she was working an internship in my hometown (Caracas), is coming to visit our darling city this weekend. I offered to give her some pointers, and provide a list of places to go and some activities to engage in while shes spends Staurday night, Sunday and Monday in Seattle. She’s coming with her husband, and they both love food, wine and micro-brews.

I wish I could expand a bit more with menus, and describe places in detail, but that would make this entry endless. When it comes to Seattle, descriptions can get so exciting, they take over the tip of my fingers, possess them and order them to write a book if possible. Concisely as I can, here’s what I recommend to my friend, one day at a time.

Saturday

I have always said that Seattle’s essence drifts playful between its neighborhoods. I have a soft spot for Seattle views and dinner in Wallingford. This wonderful neighborhood is a step away from our own stomping grounds, so we visit and enjoy it on a regular basis.

A Saturday night in Seattle can shine like a thousand stars by jumping onto these:

1. Enjoy the view of Seattle from Gasworks Park: I am a local and cannot get enough of it. My husband and I find it interesting, “heavenly industrial” and romantic, so much we had our wedding photos taken here.

2. Dinner. Depending on the mood and on what gastronomy your taste buds are expecting to be visited by, my pick would be Cantinetta (North Italian cuisine) or Joule (Asian Fusion). If you desire a low-key, homemade-like dinner, there is the wonderful, heart-warming Golden Olive (Greek-Mediterranean).

Ask for the exquisite Roasted Beet salad at Golden Olive!

Be ready to feel the swirling tentacle of the Octopus dish at Joule, playful in your mouth!

Bring your Endive Salad back, Cantinetta!

3. Night Cap. No question about it. Drive to Phinney Ridge to wrap up the night at Oliver’s Twist
and enjoy great music, truffled popcorn (a bit too seen in the city, but it goes well with libations) and enjoy the not-for-under-21-drinks like a Jack Rose (apple jack, lime, homemade grenadine) or the Presbyterian (bourbon, ginger ale and soda water).

Sunday, oh, lovely day

1. Brunch is a must. Thanks to the power of Twitter and Facebook, I have a long, long list of great Seattle restaurants for brunch now. Among all those suggestions, my picks are either Lola (Modern Mediterranean / North African), Salty’s on Alki (Big buffet-style American food) or Springhill (Northwest).

2. Quick stop at SAM (closed on Mondays & Tuesdays) for art. On your way out, make sure you get coffee from Stella Caffe. I am sharing a secret here: they make a “Truffled Mocha” with chocolate truffles that is not on the menu, and it’s to die for. Speaking of which, before you head to the bus, shop for Grey & Smoked Salt Caramels at Fran’s.

If the decision involves going to West Seattle (either Salty’s or Springhill), a stroll thought Alki Beach after brunch will kill the calories and warm the heart. Beautiful and vibrant, there is so much to see in Alki it can easily take a few hours of the day, even for locals. The views of Seattle and the landscape being the most impressive part of this tour.

Beveridge Place Pub in West Seattle should be one of the stops on this side of the city adventure. This place has a wide, interesting and alluring beer selection, one of the best in town. Patrons can bring take-out (including dogs), eat and enjoy a Lager, Porter, IPA or Stout (among many others).

Now if the decision is to stay eat in Belltown (Lola), I’d suggest to hop on the bus (17 or 18) and go to Ballard.

What to do in Ballard? Half-a-day might not be enough to cover all the fantastic things to do in this traditional Seattle neighborhood.

1. Ballard Farmers Market. On their blog, they say they are more reliable than the Post Office, as they open year-round, rain or shine, from 10am to 3pm. This market is delightful and is the quintessential Sunday activity for many Seattleites.

2. Coffee at Caffe Fiore and then a short walk to snack at Cafe Besalú. Coffee, chocolate and orange zest blend together and the result is a Sevilla, one of Fiore’s most delicious coffee drinks. The Americano itself, is bold, licorish and sublime, according to my husband. A short walk to get pastries at Cafe Besalú afterward, will make anyone sing.

3. Ballard Locks. Preceded by a stunning botanical garden, the Locks are one of those places I always bring my guest of out-of-town to, and they love it. Seeing boats go up and down in the water to either go into Salmon Bay or the Puget Sound is very entertaining, and unique. Salmon are going through the Locks right now and its possible to watch their pilgrimage through a large, underwater window located in the area.

4. Golden Gardens. Hopping on the bus or the car might be necessary, but Golden Gardens is still in the neighborhood, and a stop that won’t be forgotten.

5. Early dinner at Ray’s Cafe, with a breathtaking view of Shilshole Bay can be perfect. Ray’s is famous for superb dessert.

6. Night cap. A perfect way to wrap the day of would be at Sambar. This minimal lounge has a sophisticated wine, beer and spirits list, where the cocktails’ names sound like music, and become seductive in your hands. The have perfect frites, and even better steak to accompany them. Dinner was already served, but there might be still a little space to share!

Monday, Monday

1. Pike Place Market: enjoy the loveliness of an early Monday morning at the Market. Go before 11am. You’ll be able to roam around, take some beautiful photos and talk to vendors and artisans.

Frequently, the surprised question “Three dollars for a bunch of Dahlias?” can be heard. Yes, flowers at the Market are beautiful and CRAZY cheap. Three things I would do while in the market? Have a couple of cinnamon sugar doughnuts, snap a free sample of Orange-Cinnamon Tea at Market Spices and get at least a bag of Chukar Cherries spectacular Bing Cherries. Don’t forget fish can be shipped to NYC!

2. Lunch. I would stay in the Market and do any of these amazing places:

Matt’s in the Market: the finds here are their perfect, sheer Don & Joe’s Lamb Burger or the unbeatable Braised Beef Brisket sandwich. Both dishes include Macrina breads. If you’re in luck, and they have Cantaloupe Sorbet, try it!

Maximilien: privileged view of the Puget Sound, adorned with dishes like Fresh Oysters with Champagne Mignonette or the Salade Norvégienne (Smoked Salmon, Dungeness Crab, Avocado, tomatoes and toast over mixed greens, dressed in Balsamic vinaigrette). Oh, la lá!

Steelhead Dinner: what do you want? Rabbit? Coho Salmon? Lamb? Rainbow Trout? Yes, these are all in the menu, ready for you!

Le Pichet (a block away from the Market, on 1st Ave and Virginia St). I am just an eater with a really curious palate, and maybe a fairly good experience…and for me, Le Pichet makes the best lentils in Seattle. And the “craft” best coconut sorbet, too. Anyone wanting to venture into food adventures (sounds funny) should try their tongue dish, if they have it. Sublime!

3. Ferry Ride. The Seattle-Bainbridge Ferry is, for me, a must-do for an out-of-town guest. The schedule allows visitors some flexibility to stroll around the island once getting there. Mora Ice Creamery is where one can quench the thirst of walking from the ferry terminal…only with creamy sweetness. Their Gianduja ice cream is fabulous. Along Marron Glacé and Dulce de Leche, they honor the flavors of the owners hometown, spectacular Buenos Aires.

4. Tea Time in Capitol Hill. One of my new favorite places in Capitol Hill is HEALEO. A charming and urban “Nutrition Bar”, this place carries more than vitamins and supplements. Their Caramelized Pear Tea induces non-stop sighing. They serve the teas in pretty, pretty pots. If you prefer smoothies instead, try their Almond Coconut Delight. Ever since I had it the first time, it reminded me of the good, ol’ Cocadas in my country, Venezuela.

Other afternoon delights in Capitol Hill can be found at Espresso Vivace and Dilletante. First one prides on serving “Una bella tazza di caffe”. True. Caffe Nico is a proof of this. Dilletante holds a long, long tradition, which includes a more modern cocktails-with-chocolate options!

5. Wrapping up in Seattle. Around 48 hours in our fair city…not much but enough as hors d’oeuvres.

Whatever the decision is on how to spend the last hours in Seattle, which can include a bite at Quinn’s or a drink in the new Tavern Law, don’t miss one spot that is highly touristy but at the same time, breathtaking. Kerry Park is a place where people may say goodbye to Seattle, but, most likely, that farewell will become a promise to come back. I am not going to post a photo so your eyes will have the opportunity to look at this view without a preview.

Say goodbye to Seattle by making a last stop at Gelatiamo. Again, coconut will make you smile.

Enjoy your stay, RS!

One of the loves of my life! Photo by Valentina Vitols
Copyright © 2005-2009

Dave Sheely Designs. Photo by Valentina Vitols
Copyright © 2005-2009

This has been one busy, wonderful Summer. I have been working and photographing my “favorite things” here and there. Seattle, children, wondrous food, and fantastic small businesses’ pieces of art. It has been “a bit here, a bit there.”

Macaron from Honoré Artisan Bakery in Ballard. Photo by Valentina Vitols
Copyright © 2005-2009

Did I say food?

Recently, I gave my husband Ryan my “old” Nikon. By old, I mean a two-and-a-half-year old, great DSLR that was replaced by a full-frame DSLR for my practice. He has always liked photography, but now, of course, he’s hooked. It is divine. We have been going around clicking. He now plays a lot with his Zooomr account and has a Tumblr blog, Cuh-Click.

My good-looking husband and his new toy. Photo by Valentina Vitols
Copyright © 2005-2009

Like me, he has been taking a lot of food photographs. Maybe that is the reason he used it to explain what photography has become to him. He told me, “you want photographs to be like a delicious plate of food, an interesting one, too. You don’t want to eat the same thing everyday. Photographs should be always new, exciting and mouthwatering. They should be food for your eyes.”

Palatable, uh? What a great way to put it!

I found this to be true for me. I indulge in the visuals. Observation is my tray of hors d’oeuvres. Rule of thirds (as simple as it sounds), is the way I prepare my food. Getting close to fill the frame is me leaning over my plate and breathing the aromas in, deeply. Photos are bites. Every angle, every attempt to look at a subject from a different perspective is like slowly chewing and savoring pieces of an entree.

Unusually orange but delicious OJ & Carrot Juice at Oddfellows Cafe
Photo by Valentina Vitols. Copyright © 2005-2009

Editing gives that nervousness and anticipation one feels between a meal and dessert. And the sweet rewards comes in the form of final images…nothing feels like a scoop of condensed milk ice cream (thank you, Joule) or Sugar Dusties with a large French Press (thanks, Art of the Table). That same feeling I have when looking at my handsome, beautiful, wonderful subjects.

@ZoeZendog. Photo by Valentina Vitols
Copyright © 2005-2009

I am thankful for the opportunity to point my camera at such interesting people and happenings. Many of these opportunities are tied to Twitter. Being @valenvitols has brought me such joy, and new friendships that I cherish like my old ones.

Top Chef Robin Leventhal performing a Chef Demo at Queen Anne Farmers Market.
Photo by Valentina Vitols. Copyright © 2005-2009

It doesn’t matter if I just have to “walk up the hill” (pant, pant, it’s Queen Anne) to visit my neighborhood’s Farmers Market, or I take my “yes, a bit large” camera at a restaurant and keep my poor friends from eating (that’s @bitterbiscuit, always!). I also flew to Florida, to see my family and meet some friends from high-school (Caraqueñas “exilees”, just like yours truly). One of these gatherings ended up with an impromptu photo session of my friend María’s daughter, at Vizcaya Palace in Miami.

Valeria at Vizcaya Palace, Miami, FL.

Vizcaya Palace, Miami, FL.
Photo by Valentina Vitols . Copyright © 2005-2009

I will stop here. Have a wonderful weekend, Seattle (and everywhere else!)

¡Gracias!

Northwest Gazpacho. Copyright © 2005-2009 Valentina Vitols. All rights reserved.

@chefreinvented, Seattle Chef Becky Selengut. Copyright © 2005-2009 Valentina Vitols. All rights reserved.

My darling husband and I visited the Queen Anne Farmers Market (in our neighborhood) last Thursday. Ryan is now the proud owner of a Nikon DSLR (his first one!) and has been snapping pictures around, happy as a kid! I’m helping him with some photo essentials, and the results have been wonderful. The best part, though, is to be able to share my passion with my love. Nothing compares!

I made some photos myself. Chef Becky Selengut was doing the weekly cooking demo and delighted us with Northwest Gazpacho. The photos on this post were later used in the Queen Anne Farmers Market Blog. Thanks to them for including my images in their lovely post (read the post by clicking here). If you want to see the rest of the photos, please click here to go to my Queen Anne Photos’ Flickr page.

Stay tuned for information about a Food Photography Workshop I’ll be teaching on September, 3rd at this fabulous neighborhood’s Market.

Queen Anne Farmers Market: Thursdays 3-7 pm, June 18th to October 1st West Crockett & Queen Anne Ave.
Join them on Twitter: @qafarmersmarket

Enjoy!

Copyright © 2005-2009 Valentina Vitols. All rights reserved.

Update: We had to cancel the kids workshop. We apologize for this, kiddos! This means that adults will get an extra 30 minutes of instruction. We have only two spots left. Looking forward to seeing you all there.

Do you love food? Do you love tweeting about what you eat? Do you blog and have an interest in food? Are you intrigued by those purple carrots Mom just brought home for dinner (at the Farmers Market)? Are you interested in making art?

If you said “yes!” at least once, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn some basic tips about photography and how to take pictures of food. Take advantage of the spectacular specimens sold by the colorful flower vendors, the beautiful produce items, and other products at the Market, to make your best photos in the last days of summer.

I am very excited to announce that I’ll be teaching a couple of Food Photo Workshops at the Queen Anne Farmers Market (located in my beloved neighborhood). I’ll be there on Thursday, September 3rd, on the “Beautiful Food Day”.

The first workshop is for kids, ages 6 to 12, (5pm-6pm) and the second one is for adults (6pm-7pm). Whether you have only a toy camera, a point and shoot, or a “prosumer” camera, this workshop is designed for all photography enthusiasts.

Join us for this fun activity while shopping at our fabulous neighborhood Farmers Market! Queen Anne Farmers Market: Thursdays 3-7 pm, June 18th to October 1st West Crockett & Queen Anne Ave.

Please register here:

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While strolling around this fabulous event (Sunday, July 12th, 2009 at Bell Harbor Conference Center in Seattle), I kept on remembering this dialogue from the movie Chocolat:

“Vianne Rocher: And these are for your husband. Unrefined cacao nibs from Guatemala, to awaken the passions.

Yvette Marceau: Psshh. You’ve obviously never met my husband.

Vianne Rocher: Well, you’ve obviously never tried these.”

I believe in the power of chocolate as an aphrodisiac, a mood-enhancer, a spoiler and a sublime element that unites lives and souls. I am never ashamed to recognize my own, perfect addiction.

I bless the day Venezuela was chosen as the country where I was born and raised, a country that was gifted with one of the finest cocoas in the world. I grew up a bit unaware of this, but enjoying the struggle between the urgency to devour and the willingness to let chocolate melt between my teeth, and on top of my tongue.

It was exciting to hear “yes!” from most of the participants at my “do you use cocoa from Venezuela?” question. I am so proud of our cocoa. I told that to all the wonderful “artisans of the sugary” I met that afternoon.

My “Best in Show”? Claudio Corallo “Esferas de Massa de Cacau 100% con gengibre cristalizado“. Flawless tiny chocolate balls filled with a mousse-like ginger paste. A caress for the tongue. Two of my three runner-ups were a big surprise for me, as I am not that into white chocolate. These were decadent and unforgettable: Suess Chocolate’s “Citrus White Chocolate Truffle” and Divine Chocolate’s “White Chocolate and Strawberry Bar” (found it to be very palate friendly, good for kids and adults).

My third favorite: Forté’s Salted Caramels.

Please, take a minute or two to look at the photos I made from the event. Click here to access the online gallery where they are displayed at.

(All three photos in this entry are copyright © 2005-2009 Valentina Vitols. All rights reserved.)

The joy of working as a photographer is not only about the photographic process, it is also getting to know the subjects. Conversations are as important as composition and execution. At the end of the day, when showing these images, people stand in awe not only with the phenomenal expressions of my fellow citizens but also with the little and big stories behind them. I am very fortunate to be able to show AND tell.

I would also love to invite you to check out my dear friend Lauri’s blog, where she made a very nice mention about the show.
http://noesmuytipico.blogspot.com/2009/01/friday-pm-at-neptune-coffee-in.html

Hope to see you all there!

All photos and texts by Valentina Vitols. Copyright, 2007. Peru.