Since 1970, a book by Richard N. Bolles ,What Color Is Your Parachute, published annually has been the world’s most popular job-hunting guide that has helped millions discovered their unique gifts, skills, and interests. 

Food career related, in response to the  State of Food Blogging Survey conducted last February, where 49% of almost 700 respondents said they blog to make a name for themselves in the food world and 41% do it in hopes of turning their blogging into a full-time career, the International Food Blogging Conference (IFBC) started the first Career Fair and Industry Networking Session at IFBC 2012.

IFBC organizer invited almost 20 entities including manufacturers, publishers, editors, PR agencies and creative industries so that bloggers can make valuable and profitable connections with those in the food industry.

Dian Anggraini from Omar Niode Foundation attended the Career Fair and Industry Networking Session and noted down her impressions, aiming at finding out career opportunities in the food blogging world.

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The IFBC career fair was held on Saturday 25 August 2012 from 5.00 to 6.30 PM at a time between Writing Workshops and Farm to Table Dinner.

Representatives from 15 companies and organizations gathered in round tables spread across the meeting place, making it a challenge to communicate with all of them in such a short time. 

Innovative Publishers

Several publishers were present at IFBC career fair with enthusiastic representatives explaining to food bloggers how to break into the publishing world.  Although most of their tips were universal, some are specific to the food world.

Adam Salomone Harvard Common Press advised bloggers who would like to have their works published by a certain publisher to first learn the character or types of books that have been published. In Adam’s opinion, for a publisher, the first meeting with  writers is important to get to know them better and decide whether or not to publish their manuscripts.

Shaun Chavis Oxmoor House/Time Home Entertainment said it is best to ask colleagues to read and to test recipes that bloggers would put in writing.

Comments and critiques from people close to the bloggers will help them craft success. Food bloggers should take the time to participate in activities inviting famous chefs or those who have been successful in the food industry. Such activities can help bloggers write and decide who the target readers should be.

Amy Worley Andrews McMeel Publishing emphasized to never give up if your draft is rejected by one publisher. Try to hang in there and always listen to the reasons why your manuscript is rejected. These comments are input that can be an inspiration  to make a better manuscript..

Culinary Sites

The internet has made it possible for us to share cooking methods, cooking tips, food stories and recipes. Three famous websites encouraged IFBC participants to browse their platforms and see how bloggers can interact with these global sites.

Allrecipes.com www.allrecipes.com has recipes from around the world. More than 15 countries have become part of the community. To attract participants who attend IFBC 2012 friends from Allrecipes.com gave out souvenirs and information to participants to join their community by clicking www.allrecipes.com, filling the biodata and post food from recipes created to be enjoyed by visitors to the site.

At Culinate.com,visitors received information on how to prepare and cook healthy and delicious meals. Those who wish to become a member of Culinate.com, can simply click www.culinate.com.  Once registered, members have a place to store their own personal recipes, to write  blog posts and to share exciting experiences with fellow members worldwide.

Foodie.com www.foodies.com informed audience how to process fungi for mealtimes. To see processed mushrooms recipes and other recipes participants visited the site www.foodie.com.

As a token to visitors who stopped by their table, friends of Foodie.com gave a small pack of raw mushroom, challenging participants to make mushroom meals and post them on the website Foodie.com

Household Appliances

OXO and  Jenn-Air,, among the Premier Sponsors of IFBC introduced their products and how bloggers could be involved in the business.

 OXO that has over 850 houseware products with universal designs offered guests the opportunity to win some prizes by writing  messages about OXO on their twitter accounts. Jenn-Air offered information on kitchen appliances and accessories with uncompromising innovation  that has transformed the kitchen space in design as well as cooking and entertaining. 

OXO and Jenn-Air also offered opportunities for IFBC participants who are interested in marketing or become distributors of  their products.

To be continued.

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Photos by Dian Anggraini