Food Blogger Camp Offered By Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Jan 5-9

To kick-off 2011 in style, Grand Velas Riviera Maya in Mexico will host seven notable food bloggers and photographers January 5-9 for Food Blogger Camp 2011. Created by food bloggers, the camp helps all levels of food aficionados sharpen their skills and will provide inspiration for foodies to start a blog.

In daily sessions, Food Blogger Camp attendees will focus on improving their skills in one-on-one "speed blogging" meetings, blog critiques, photography breakout sessions, a food styling workshop and seminars focused on brand and business building.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya's culinary team plans to roll out the red carpet for attendees, with demonstrations of signature recipes from the gourmet restaurants Sen Lin, Cocina de Autor, Piaf and Frida. The final evening will culminate with a tasting of Mexico's finest wines and a full course dinner celebrating the evolution of Mexican cuisine.

Cookbook author and blogger David Lebovitz will lead a session entitled What's My Blog About? "With hundreds of thousands of food blogs out there, it's hard to break out from the crowd and get noticed," explained Lebovitz. "I'll be helping attendees find their niche and will give invaluable tips for participants' food blogs during my seminar that will help them stand-out."

"One of the best things about Food Blogger Camp is the opportunity to meet, play and explore with other food bloggers," added Elise Bauer of Simply Recipes, one of the most popular food blogs on the internet. "There are so many fun things to do beyond the classes. People can't help but to come away with new friends, connections that continue to grow long after the camp is over." Bauer will teach best practices for creating a blog that gets recognition and builds a sustained readership.

Other seminar leaders include social media maverick Jaden Hair, cookbook author and protagonist of the Steamy Kitchen; food and lifestyle photographer Matt Armendariz of Mattbites; Adam Pearson, professional food stylist for cookbooks and Food Network, and photographers Diane Cu and Todd Porter of WhiteOnRiceCouple. Find the complete agenda and seminar leader bios at: http://velasresorts.com/files/foodbloggercamp/index.html .

Food Blogger Camp 2011 tuition starts at $1200 per person, double occupancy, for media. The rate for non-media is $1340 per person, double. The tuition includes a five-day, four-night stay in the luxurious all-inclusive resort Grand Velas Riviera Maya. Attendees will enjoy the following amenities as part of the tuition price:

Entrance to the conference seminars, activities and cooking demonstrations
Luxury accommodation in the Master section, with spectacular jungle views
Personalized concierge service
Breakfast, lunch and dinner a la carte or buffet at Bistro, Azul and Chak� Restaurants
Dinner a la carte at 5 chef-inspired, signature haute cuisine restaurants: Frida (gourmet Mexican cuisine), Cocina de Autor (Spanish influenced cuisine at the hands of famed disciples of celebrity chef Arzak), Piaf (traditional French cuisine), Sen Lin (gourmet Asian cuisine), and Lucca (Italian and Mediterranean cuisine)
24-hour suite service
Fully-stocked mini-bar in suite
Premium domestic and international brand liquors at the Sky Bar, Piano Bar, Lobby Bars, Karaoke Bar, bar at Sen Lin and throughout the resort
Activities program such as yoga, pilates and meditation
Non-motorized water sports (snorkeling, kayaks and boogie boards)
High technology Fitness Center
Live Music at Lobby Bar, Sky Bar and specialty restaurants
Pool and beach concierge
Valet parking
Taxes and gratuities

About Grand Velas Riviera Maya:

The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya, an all-suite