At Dodger Stadium with Tyler Florence and California Grapes

On June 11th, I was lucky enough to be invited to an event at Dodger Stadium here in Los Angeles hosted by the California Table Grape Commission. Tyler Florence is working with the California Table Grape Commission, as well as with other organizations, in an initiative that promotes healthy eating at ballparks across the country, including the homes of the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and San Francisco Giants, since ballparks are not typically noted  for their healthy fare. I attented with several other bloggers, including In Erika’s Kitchen, Created by Diane and La Fuji Mama, and we got to eat lots of good food, watch the game and meet up with Tyler himself!

The event was a blast. It was great to have a chance to meet up with everyone – it’s always nice to match a face with a blog when you’re meeting bloggers – and chat. The suite where the event was held was amazing, with great views down the first base line of the ball field. Not that you needed to sit out on the deck to watch the game, when there were a half-dozen TV screens inside so that you didn’t miss a moment of the action while you ate or visited with people.

And food was not in short supply. We were treated to a couple of healthy ballpark recipes – featuring grapes, of course – from Tyler Florence. There was a grape relish made with three different types of California grapes, along with mustard, vinegar and onions that was used to top off some Turkey Dodger Dogs (I love Dodger Dogs whether they’re turkey or beef). There was also a really interesting whipped cream cheese dip that used white grapes – although you’d never know that they were in there. I snagged the recipe as I think it would make a great frosting for cupcakes, as well as a dip for the cinnamon-topped soft pretzels that they were served with.

We munched through hot dogs, sandwiches, fresh fruit, fresh grapes and other snacks before the game started. Tyler Florence threw out an honorary first pitch (noting that he won’t be quitting his day job anytime soon) and came up to the box to meet with us. There was some talk  about his new restaurant opening in San Francisco and of some of his recipes. I wanted to ask about the rumors I had heard about him opening a cooking school up in Napa, but didn’t have the chance. Instead, we talked watches with some of the other guests in the suite. Tyler showed off his birthday present to himself, too.

Tyler had to leave early, so it was just the rest of us – mostly food bloggers and our friends – relaxing, chatting and watching the game for the rest of the evening. I had a fantastic time, and I’m glad that I was able to snag the recipe for that grape relish (which will be appearing here soon!). Here are a few more photos of the event:

A big basket of yummy California grapes, of course.

Erika and her husband doing some food photography.

Me, Diane and Rachael, talking shop about photography and blogging.