This year, Portland is one lucky city. We are hosting the annual IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) conference where tons of food-professionals and food-lovers alike will converge for four days of merry making and eating. This year’s theme is The New Culinary Order (this is the name of the 2010 conference, not to be mistaken for a punk band). There will be dinners and tastings–all made from the most fresh and seasonal foods Portland has to offer, done by the best chefs in the city–book signings, walking tours, panel discussions, seminars, meet and greets, and a lot more. The IACP is a worldwide forum for ” the development and exchange of information, knowledge, and inspiration within the professional food and beverage community.” This is an incredible opportunity for people to connect professionally about food. But the best part about this is that most if not all of the people in attendance work with food because they love it. To love your profession makes all the difference in the world, as well as in your work–it shines through. I can’t wait to be immersed in that kind of positive and energetic setting!

On top of the amazing talent of food-specialists from the states, there will be people from more than more than 40 countries attending as well. Famous food-world-guru’s include Julia Child’s editor Judith Jones, the always delightful Madhur Jaffrey, the New York Times writer Kim Severson, and renowned authors Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg, whose Flavor Bible is one of the greatest books on food ever. Ruth Reichl is a keynote speaker for this year’s IACP, and Michael Ruhlman and Deborah Madison will be there giving talks of their own.

I was asked to design the signage for the Opening Reception event. This included the sponsor signage, the Chef signage, and a special cocktail bar will be there, so they needed some signage too. My idea was to go with a punk-rock-meets-grandma’s-kitchen sort of look, which I think it retains a bit of still, but they definitely took on their own look as they came to life. I am pleased with how they turned out! And of course I can’t forget to thank the poster-model with great hands, the one and only Andrew Owen .

Stay tuned, Eating Is Art will be featuring it’s very first guest blogger tomorrow! She’s passionate about knowing what’s what about “healthy” eating, and she’s going to share her journey once a month right here. I can’t wait!