As promised, I bring you Eating My Way Through Seattle Part II: BlogHer Food 2012. As you might recall in my Part I article, I guided you through the some of the edible offerings at BlogHer Food 2012 in Seattle this past June.
I attended BlogHer Food 2012 this year, representing Prime Publishing LLC and all of our food properties, including RecipeLion.com, FaveHealthyRecipes.com, MrFood.com, AllFreeSlowCookerRecipes.com, AllFreeCopycatRecipes.com and our latest site, AllFreeCasseroleRecipes.com. As mentioned in my last post, BlogHer Food 2012 attracted more than 500 food-loving attendees, including 20 sessions, 4 keynotes, more than 70 speakers, two parties and a market excursion to Pike Place Market.
I promised in this post I would offer our readers a visual tour of the market. If you’re a farmers’ market fan, Pike Place Market is farmers’ market royalty. According to the Pike Place Market Web site, the market is nine acres and has been in operation for more than a century. They deem it “The Soul of Seattle,” and it’s not difficult to understand why.
“A century later, Pike Place Market is internationally recognized as America’s premier farmers’ market and is home to more than 200 year-round commercial businesses; 190 craftspeople and approximately 100 farmers who rent table space by the day; 240 street performers and musicians; and more than 300 apartment units, most of which provide housing for low-income elderly people,” the Web site said. “‘The Market,’ as the locals affectionately say, attracts 10 million visitors a year, making it one of Washington state’s most frequently visited destinations.”
Upon entering the market area, there are ample places to dispose of your chewing gum, if you’re preparing to sample fare inside.
Several walls are covered in used chewing gum leading up to the main market area.
In Post Alley, an enclave of shops and restaurants, a tourist will find walls plastered with.
According to VisitSeattle.org, “The gum wall, as it’s called, has more bubble gum than a collective of the underside of desks from a few dozen elementary schools.
On to more appetizing fare…
You can view a live taping of a fish toss at Pike Place Market here.
In still motion, I have lots of photos to share!
The market is packed with numerous fish stands. And, the fish is fresh because of Seattle’s coastal location.
The market also includes specialty shops and stands for items such as spices.
A visitor also will find many cuts of meats and sausages.
I certainly was drawn to the smell of fresh, hot doughnuts.
Nut lovers had their pick at stands.
Perhaps, most impressive were the expansive fruit stands with fresh local fruit.
I made a stop into Bleecher’s, a famous cheese shop in the market, where you can watch their process.
As a coffee fan, I was particularly excited to visit the location of the original Starbucks.
I was disappointed with the actual interior. In some ways it had a throw-back feel. But, the menu was similar to other locations.
Finally, the market had several craft, jewelry and artisan stands.
The Pike Place Market is truly a magnificent site for foodie and farmers market fans who are visiting the area.
If you missed it, check out my Part I of my “Eating My Way Through Seattle” tour.
If you’ve been to Pike Place Market in Seattle, what was your favorite attraction at the market?
[...] CHECK OUT PART II: [...]