Well finally Lakshmi, Nirmala and I met over for lunch which got extended to coffee time. This meet was finally possible after what I would say a period of planning over 2 months! Thanks to Lakshmi for suggesting this. She mailed me if I would be interested in a Chennai Food blogger meet. I was all for it. I have interacted so much with her mother Latha, that I was sure it will be wonderful meeting Lakshmi. She mailed me saying that she knows two other bloggers who blog from Chennai. Nirmala of Amma's Special and Kamini of The Bubbling Cauldron were the other two bloggers who were supposed to meet. After many long mail exchanges, we finally decided to meet over the weekend. For pictures taken during the meet, visit Lakshmi's blog here.
We decided to meet at a place thats closer by to our offices, in plans to get back to office after lunch. Little did we know that it will happen. We also planned to get something for each other. Nirmala said she would bring pakodas. Kamini said she would bring some Fruit Tarts and Lakshmi said she will make the brownies. That left me in confusion as I haven't blogged on any snacks that much. But had been waiting to prepare the Salt Diamonds that Amma used to prepare during our childhood. I knew this would be a perfect time for them. I have always missed them so much. I was all excited and asked Amma for the recipe. She was asking why I would want to do them now of all the times. I said I will get back with details later. With great difficulty I managed to do that. My daughter, when she saw them was so excited and trilled. She was asking Athamma why she didn't know to make such beautiful stuff. I felt bad and elated at the same time. I convinced my daughter that it was both Ammamma and Nanamma who taught me to cook. She was happy about that too.
I was all excited the whole day, the day we were supposed to meet. Kamini unfortunately couldn't make it, which was very bad but we decided to have one as soon as she can. We decided to book a table in a different name and try guessing each other correctly. It took some time for me to reach Amethyst, the place we decided to meet. It was a wonderful place full of greenery. I was amazed that this place existed in midst of a really crowded and populated place. Yet it retained its greenery and beauty. I asked for the table and was told I was the first. I also ensured that the waiter wont reveal my name to others. I must've waited some 15 mins or so when this smart, chic lady, rather I would say teenager walked towards me. I guessed right but she had difficulty guessing me. It was so much fun. So I was correct on Lakshmi. We spent some 50 mins chatting away without knowing that we were still waiting for Nirmala to show. In all our excited we forgot to get contact numbers. It does sound funny but that was true. Lakshmi tried calling all numbers that may lead to Nirmala but couldn't get hold of one. Suddenly we saw a tall, prim and proper lady with Ironed hair all smiling and enthu, walking towards us. I was sad for a moment that my judgment of Nirmala was wrong. Imagine the merry when the lady crossed us to the next table. I think I heard Lakshmi breath a sign knowing it wasn't Nirmala.
It was getting so late and we were really hungry. We decided to order and called the waiter. While we were still deciding what order after one starter, we suddenly saw a petite girl standing next to us. I was really trilled. It was Nirmala. She was just like what I thought. Warm, bubbly and all excited through the meet. She came across as very witty and nice and between both of them, I didn't even know the whole afternoon passing by. Among three of us bursting with exchanging things that we didn't know that Waiter was still waiting for us to confirm the order. We finally asked him to get what we felt was ok. As most of the items were Non-Veg, had very less choice. But we didn't bother on the food. It was fun hearing both of them sharing tidbits on their life style. We exchanged our snacks and wanted to take pictures of them. We must've spent nearly 5 + hrs but we didn't feel like parting. It was so much fun talking about common passion and interest. Hubby dear called us some three times to get an update but was amused that we were still in the restaurant. Finally we didn't get back to office and went home.
Nirmala was so homely and forth coming. It was fun getting to know more about her family and I feel I know everybody without meeting them. She vibrates the same enthusiasm and energy I feel when I read her blog. Her pakodas were super hit with my daughter. She was munching on them even just before going to bed! I will have to ask her to post the recipe. Even now when I remember Nirmala telling us that once Dad commented on one of her cooking disaster - "Ne ippo samaikalannu yarru alluvura" (Who is crying that you are not cooking?) That was one statement that made me laugh so much.
Lakshmi is a real talented lady. She is a dancer and a painter apart from handling her own firm. All from a person in her mid 20's. Her brownies were simply superb. Athamma was all praises for her, saying such a young girl and she baked such a wonderful dish! We enjoyed them the entire weekend. She brought us so much that I kept eating them through the weekend. I am going to make that soon.
It was a great meet and will want to meet often now. I know this has again become a big post but I have not covered half that happened. Putting a face to the person behind the blog, has made so much difference. I have always enjoyed reading both Yum Blog and Amma's Special. Now the experience has enriched it more. It was a real pleasure and fun meeting them.
lakshmi says
Aha, I forgot to add about the "just out of salon" lady who we were hoping isnt Nirmala :D.
Siri says
Wow srivalli, both urs and Lakshmi's posts are lovely and exciting..:D
Apple says
So you had a wondeful time together...feeling good to know abt it...Nice write up too
Laavanya says
This is so fascinating Srivalli. It's really wonderful that you guys met up... the guessing game must've been exciting for sure... I felt so excited just reading about it! 🙂 Great idea.
sunita says
You gals did seem to have had a great time indeed...have read about it at Lakshmi's as well.
Sia says
just read lakshmi's post and here u r with urs. i am all J. may be one day we will make it happen by having food bloggers get together;) good to know u girls had gr8 time together...
Latha Narasimhan says
That was a nice write up Sri!:)) Me too waiting to meet you all chennai bloggers when I visit lakshmi!:))
Must find details of bloggers in Bangalore too!
Happy cook says
It was a real pleasure to read your post. I could just imagine all of u talking and having fun.
Hope you will write about your next get together 🙂
Lucky says
HI valli,by reading i feel missed u guys if iam in chennai i would have diffently met u nice idea....
Mishmash ! says
Reading about your meet itself is so refreshing and soothing..I wish I could meet everyone from FBD !!
Shn
Rajitha says
wow! u guys sure had fun!! now i feel like relocating to chennai 😉
Superchef says
hmm..very bad u guys dint post ne fotos..
Padma says
Just read from the yum blog about it Srivalli, nice to know that you guys were able to meet and spend some time together, it must be totally different experience to meet long lasting blog friends. But I was thinking that you guys should post ur snaps too!
RAKS KITCHEN says
Think you all had a worderful time there and I read the others write up also...Great going you all..:))
sra says
Hi Srivalli, it was fun to read about how you guessed each other.
Srivalli says
lakshmi, hah...that was fun moment
Laavanya, yes it was indeed. But guessing Lakshmi was easy as she was the youngest!..but had Nirmala and I were together and somebody else had to guess it would've been hard as Lakshim faced...Nirmala had a cake walk because it was between guessing a girl in 20s and a mother of 3..so simple
sunita, yes it was so much fun. I feel all the bloggers from FBD should meet!
Sia, ehmm..thanks..surely I would love to meet all you interesting gals!
Lathamma, Thank you! would love to meet you when you come down here
Siri, thats very nice of you
Happy cook, thanks ..you very kind with your words. Surely will post on that
Lucky, oh where are you from?
Apple, yes totally exciting. Thank you
Shn, me too...that will be so much fun
Rajitha, you are most welcome. 🙂
Padma, Yes it was wonderful meeting them in person. Its like you know most of the things about these people from reading their blogs. And in person its like we have been friends long time. We spent so much time that we didn't want to part. It was real fun. Well we feel little shy you know..:)
Superchef, missed you for the meet. Next time come for the meet and we can meet in person
sra, thank you. Yes we had fun guessing each other. Infact I made sure the waiter won't reveal my name to the person who walks in ..You must've seen lakshmi's face trying hard to take the right guess...
Vcuisine says
It is a real fun I suppose Valli. You have briefed it very well. Love to meet you all when I am around next time. Interesting post. Viji
Asha says
Great reading that Sri. You talked for 4.5 hrs!!;D
I am not surprised.Lakshmi sounds fun, may be one day I will meet her and her amma too!:))
Sharmi says
hmmm I am coming from nirmala and lakshmi's blog. I envy you guys!! nice to know that you all had fun!
Bharathy says
Kala kala Kalakkal post da!!:D...irukkulla innum meetingsu...appopathukkaren!!!:D
Suganya says
Srivalli, Thanks for painting such a beautiful picture. Loved reading it 🙂
Taste of Mysore says
Good to know that you all had lovely time. I am a bit J about it now...;))
Saju says
How nice you got to meet each other, your descriptive writing almost made me feel that I was there too. Thanks for sharing