Blueberry & Brie Salad with Puff Pastry Croutons

If you've seen the last few posts I've published, you might be wondering why the heck I'm so excited about attending the Food Wine Conference next month in Orlando. {You might also be wondering if I ever eat anything other than cheese, bacon and dessert. I do, I promise.}

Well, let's start with the two main reasons: FOOD. WINE.

All kidding aside, this will be my second year attending this fantastic conference, but my first time going as a brand ambassador {which basically means that I'll be helping one of our amazing sponsors promote their brand while I'm mingling, learning, sipping and noshing}. Finding out about the conference last year came at the perfect time for me. I was learning to juggle the work-from-home blogging thing with the mama-to-a-6-month-old thing, and quite frankly, I was feeling creatively depleted. {And sleep deprived. Let's not forget that.}

At the very last minute {and at the prodding from my friends Shaina & Sloane}, I decided that maybe a weekend at this conference would reinvigorate me and help me regain my "spark." And it did!

It's hard not to get excited about what you do when you're surrounded by a ballroom-full of talented and successful people who are willing to share their secrets with you. Also, the eatin' at these things isn't too bad either! {wink, wink!}

Last year's Certified Angus Beef dinner.

I always love food blogging conferences because it's a great place to connect with others who share my passion for food and writing, and it's also nice to meet face to face with the representatives from the brands that sponsor these events. So much of what we do is shared via social media, email and other technology that it's refreshing to be able to look your colleagues in the eye and relate on a human level. It's all about building relationships.

One of the reasons I enjoy FWCon in particular is because I feel like Isabel herself {the founder & creator of the Sunday Supper Movement & FWCon} builds the experience based on her knowledge as a successful food blogger and business person. Every last detail -- from the dining experiences to the selected speakers -- make you feel like she sat down and said, "What would make a conference fun and exciting for me? What would I want to learn?" And it's precisely that personal touch that makes FWCon feel warm, friendly and comfortable for both seasoned bloggers and newbies alike.

All smiles while learning with my blogging buddies! Photo credit: Ashley Hamon Photography

A whole lot of learning takes place at these things with tips coming from the pros themselves, with sessions covering all of the skills and strategies that are needed to stay relevant in today's busy, ever-changing world of digital media. But all that serious information is tempered with tons of lighthearted fun, too! Let's not forget all the snack breaks and all-out feasting that take place throughout the whole weekend. This thing is made for "foodies" after all!

It's not all business at FWCon! Photo credit: Ashley Hamon Photography

Whether you're new to the food blogging world and are looking for an opportunity to sharpen your skills or a long time blogger who is seeking to connect with colleagues, this conference is for you! Good news... you can still join in the fun by purchasing tickets today. {Use code THEKITCHENPREP and receive $50 off your ticket.}

I can't wait to dig into this year's Food Wine Conference... hope to see you there!

Photo credit: Ashley Hamon Photography

As I mentioned a few times, the Food Wine Conference is never short on, well... food! Last year, I found myself seeking some greens amidst the dessert tables, cocktails and poutine bar. So, in preparation for all the feasting, I'm gearing up for this year's conference with a salad!

This Blueberry & Brie Salad with Puff Pastry Croutons is a riff on one of my favorite rich, creamy appetizers: Brie en Croute. You know what I'm talking about -- a wheel of brie wrapped in puff pastry and baked until it's ooey & gooey in the center.

How do you turn a leafy salad into a mouth-watering version of this decadent appetizer? With puff pastry croutons, of course! I don't know why I never thought to turn puff pastry into croutons before... they're so buttery and flaky, and surprisingly simple to make with a package of store bought puff pastry dough. Genius.

Sometimes Brie en Croute is served with a layer of jam or a fruity compote topping to add an element of sweetness to savory dish. In this salad, fresh blueberries give a pop of freshness to the otherwise savory ingredients. And yes, it's nice to know that you're balancing out the little bit of "naughty" in this salad with a handful of antioxidant-rich blueberries!

Wish Farms, a 3rd generation family-owned and operated produce company, will be among this year's conference sponsors, and they're hosting a recipe contest looking for delicious ways to use blueberries in salad form. I'd say this salad is my new favorite way to add blueberries to the mix!

Give it a try the next time you're looking for a way to jazz up your salad game!