2012 swag bag contents may differ from what appears in this photo (which was taken by Olga from Mango Tomato)

This giveaway is now closed.

In just a few days, Eat Write Retreat 2012 will commence in Washington DC. If you can’t make it this year, but want a taste of the fun, here’s your chance. We’re offering our renowned swag bag to one lucky reader.

You’ve heard how awesome our swag bag is, right? How’s this for starters:

• Calphalon Contemporary Bronze Nonstick 12″ Omelette Pan
• OXO Cherry & Olive Pitter
• OXO Mini-Chopper, courtesy of The Mushroon Council
• Herbivoracious, by Michael Natkin
• Goo Goo Clusters
• Chef Salt
• Lindsay Olives
• Nestle Toll House Dark Chocolate Morsels and coupons
• Glee Gum
• a beautiful Feastie reusable bag to carry it all!

For your chance to win one of these lovely goodie bags, just follow the directions below. Sweepstakes ends at midnight EST on May 6, 2012. Winner will be chosen at random during the week of May 7, 2012. No purchase necessary. Shipping only to continental US excluding Alaska.

To win, simply leave a comment here letting us know that you did one of the following. (You can do as many of these as you would like, but you need to leave a separate comment for each action you take, to earn multiple chances to win.)

Like on Facebook:

• OXO
• Calphalon
• Jarlsberg USA
• Watermelon.org
• Harvard Common Press
• The Mushroom Council
• Canada Beef
• Lindsay Olives
• Feastie
• Goo Goo Clusters

Follow on Twitter

• OXO
• Calphalon
• Jarlsberg USA
• Watermelon.org
• Harvard Common Press
• The Mushroom Council
• Canada Beef
• Lindsay Olives
• Feastie
• Goo Goo Clusters

That’s nearly one million different ways to enter. Almost. So go on, you know you want one of our swag bags. What are you waiting for? (And don’t forget to come back here and let us know what you’ve done!)

Congratulations to Thien-Kim for winning this fabulous swag bag! Thanks to all of you who entered and supported our sponsors with your likes and follows.

photo courtesy of Allie of www.livelaugheat.com

The use of props can greatly enhance your photos. The props you choose can help convey a variety of moods: from serene to dynamic. They can also transport you to a specific place or setting: a casual outdoor picnic or a luxurious formal sit down dinner.

When you are involved in food styling and photography, your prop collection can grow rapidly. This is why we are hosting a prop swap! If you have grown tired of using any props or want to get rid of spares, bring them to EWR. They could be someone else’s treasure.

What to bring? Small dishes, cutlery, paper or cloth napkins, fabric, placemats, linens, decorative paper for backgrounds, ramekins… the sky is the limit.

Read more about how props can be used to enhance your photographs from Renee Comet of Comet Photo, one of our Eat Write Retreat speakers, in her blog post: The Supporting Cast: Proper Pros

photo courtesy of Elizabeth’s Gone Raw

Eat Write Retreat is more than simply a food blogging conference. We offer a weekend of culinary exploration and education that makes this conference a true learning vacation.

(This post appears courtesy of Lindsay Olives. Please click here to discover more about Lindsay Olives and to read this post in its entirety, including full details on this exciting opportunity.)

Attention food bloggers! If you want to attend Eat, Write, Retreat, read on. Lindsay Olives is pleased to announce that it will offer a scholarship for registration to this fantastic food blogger conference, which takes place in Washington D.C. May 4-6, 2012.

This is your chance to win one double occupancy registration to Eat, Write, Retreat, and share your love for our olive brand while you’re there. If you love olives, have a food blog and want to attend the conference, we hope you’ll enter.

All you have to do is create an original recipe for a main course using Lindsay’s California black ripe olives (sliced orpitted). Then photograph it and share it on your blog. We’ll select our favorite entry to win the conference scholarship based on the following criteria….

(Click here to read more about this fabulous opportunity to attend Eat Write Retreat.)

*All travel-related and incidental expenses are the responsibility of the winner.

No Purchase Necessary. Void where prohibited. Promotion open only to residents of US. Must be 21 years or older. Promotion ends Sunday, March 11, 2012 at midnight, EST. One winner will be selected by Lindsay Olives and affiliates from all eligible entries, based on criteria listed above. The decision of Lindsay Olives and affiliates is final. Winner announced on Wednesday, March 14, 2012. Prize valued at approximately $749.

Hone your skills and elevate your brand while networking with the best in the business. (photo by Olga of Mango Tomato)

Wondering if you should invest in Eat Write Retreat? Whether you’re a returning alum or a fresh face at the conference, here’s what you can expect:

• Truly hands-on, so attendees can go deeper into their own “trouble” areas and explore solutions with our experts. Great no matter what level you are or how many times you’ve attended.
• Personalized dossier that includes customized reports on each attendee’s photography, writing, SEO, and overall site user experience. Truly unique and helpful–no one else is doing this. (Must register by March 1.)
• Dining events will be learning opportunities as well, as we explore different culinary/cultural traditions.
• New and returning sponsors that are committed to connecting with food bloggers in  meaningful ways.
• Expanded Pitch to the Pros, where we also set up meetings for you with sponsors who have specifically requested to connect with you.

• Our format is all-inclusive and hands-on, so real learning and networking can take place.
• Exceptional dining events.
• High-quality sponsors and products involved.
• Over-the-top swag bag.

• Popularity contests, cliques and divas.
• Tracks to choose from or be locked out of.
• Missed opportunity with a sponsor or brand (we’ll work to make those connections for you even after the event ends).
• Unexpected expenses.

Join us in May to benefit from this intimate atmosphere and come away with some amazing new friendships, both personal and professional.

Stay tuned for updates on all Eat, Write, Retreat activities.

Eat, Write, Retreat takes place May 4-6, 2012 in Washington, DC.

(This post appears courtesy of Feastie. Please click here to discover more about Feastie and to read this post in its entirety, including full details on this exciting opportunity.)

A picture is worth a thousand words…so we’re having a food photo contest! Feastie is sponsoring one blogger to attend the fabulous Eat Write Retreat conference this May 4th-6th in Washington, DC! If you haven’t already heard of Eat Write Retreat, it’s an intensive learning weekend for food writers/bloggers/photographers to foster and strengthen connections in the food community. There will be hands-on workshops, networking opportunities, and professional development sessions. And, of course, food.

Speaking of food - check out these photos from last year  taken by Mango &  Tomato. That’s just a little glimpse of the amazing food that was served during the conference. It will be an engaging, educational weekend where you can meet new friends and connect with old friends – an opportunity to really strengthen your connections within the food community. Entering our contest is fun – check out the details below.

(Click here to read more about this fabulous opportunity to attend Eat Write Retreat.)

Here at Canada Beef Inc, we love bloggers. We love you because you tell the story from your side of the table. Sharing with us your amazing recipes, your beautiful photos and your feedback on all that makes Canadian Beef great.  Talented bloggers help Canadian Beef shine, and we’re excited to return the favour!

We had so much fun last year, we’ve once again partnered with Eat, Write, Retreat, the fabulous food blogging conference in Washington DC to create three scholarships for Canadian bloggers to attend. Read all about the excellent adventures our scholarship winners had last year here.

Eat, Write, Retreat is an intensive, hands-on weekend designed to help food bloggers take their work to the next level. Workshops in the culinary arts, creative writing, food styling and photography are interspersed with dynamic dining events, demonstrations and valuable networking sessions. The event is all-inclusive which means a scholarship provides access to all programs and events, as well as luxury hotel accommodations and all the scrumptious food and drink you can fit into a weekend. Just a little “Thank You” from all of us at Canada Beef.

Read on for complete details on how to enter. The first scholarship will be awarded on Monday, February 13^th, and then the following two Mondays no later than 4pm ET. The sooner you enter, the better your chances of winning. So get a mooooove on and good luck!

(Remember, the first scholarship winner will be chosen next Monday, February 13^th!)

As we work our way through the coldest months of the year, Jarlsberg USA would like to share some news that will warm your spirits. Jarlsberg is offering a scholarship to Eat Write Retreat, the fabulous food blogger and writer conference taking place May 4-6, 2012 in Washington DC.

As trees begin to green and flowers unfold in bloom, you could be enjoying a wonderful weekend of hands-on learning, dynamic networking and fabulous dining. You’ll come away with new friends, valuable insights on growing your blog, and–best of all–priceless memories.

(Read more about this fabulous scholarship opportunity…)

Many thanks to our wonderful sponsor, Jarlsberg USA, for this fantastic opportunity!