So last night I drove into Toronto to have a nice dinner party with some fellow Canadian bloggers and the Chobani crew.
I left at 5pm and made it there just on time at 7pm! YIKES!
There weather was whacky – raining in sheets on and off with breaks of heat and sun. So you know what that means…..
Rainbows!!!
…and reckless- photo-taking driving 
You know it’s funny, no matter how many times I’ve been to TO I still get excited when I see the CN Tower in the distance and almost always snap a pic of it…
I should become a professional driving photographer I swear.
Anyway, So I arrive to my destination (on left 
) and I park and ask the attendant where I’m going. He says “Oh just right down that back alley way, the doorman will be waiting for you” …..say what?!
So down the dark alley I go.
Only to be taken through this beautiful restaurant and left in a 5X4 space being told “the elevator guy will be right down” …what elevator?! blogger fail = no pic. However this room had planks all around, an ice chest and I couldn’t even tell where an elevator may be located.
When the guy came down the wall opened I finally relaxed, realizing that I wasn’t going to be part of a horror movie scene….
Pretty snazzy for an old box in an abandoned looking building.
When I arrived and saw the PR agents in coloured denim I knew I had over dressed. Oops! Oh well, I looked hot and I had to trust my mom & coworker, who said if there was even a 1% chance I may meet someone important that might land me a job I should dress nice. So I did.
I did meet a lot of cool bloggers though – me, Steph, Siobhan, Britta & Megan (yes, I am a cool blogger too)
Anyway, the night was filled with fun food that incorporated Chobani’s 0% plain yogurt into the dishes and concluded with a huge mason jar yogurt parfait stand! <—- my kind of party 
I seriously want to link everyone up but I forget a lot of blogs – so if you were there last night and came for a visit – link yourself up in the comments
The funniest thing, for me, is that the most memorable person I met there last night happened to be serving me.
Leah Good was on the ball! As a person who works in customer service and ex bartender/server I was really impressed with all the staff at the Fifth Grill & Terrace. ***** = 5 stars! I especially loved the view from the roof top!
Leah not only took awesome pics for everyone but agreed to be in numerous photos and was extremely personable. I like that in people.
She took this pretty shot of me with my yogurt parfait….
Emily from Chobani couldn’t attend so I got to meet the beautiful Lindsay (I didn’t check the spelling) and she took care of us.
They even sent us home with a lovely gift bag filled with amazing CHO goodness.
Logan and I have already begun devouring it….
Overall I had a great night, met some very cool people and ate amazing yogurt inspired foods. I think Chobani’s marketing team deserves one of my Genius buttons! They are definitely a great company, supporting their local bloggers and it’s all backed up by their great tasting product. I’m SOLD.
—————————————————————————————
Questions:
1. have you ever attended a blogger meet up before??
Not as Ali Mc but as my previous blog alias. lol
2. ever been to a roof top patio??
Sure have, we have one in Hamilton.
3. do you use Greek yogurt as a baking/cooking substitute?? would you if you knew how?
I want to do so much more now! I used is as sourcream, for dips, in shakes but never in pea soup or as a garnish.
yay sounds like a great time! and I agree–Chobani is truly an amazing company. I love seeing how involved they are in the blogging community!
i’ve used greek yogurt in the same ways you have but I’ve been loving some of the stuff they post on their blog…cant wait to try some new stuff out.
p.s. you looked fab, no worries about the jeans
hahaha! Thanks so much Theresa. I wasn’t uncomfortable in my outfit
you know the feeling though, the one where you realized you couldn’t wore the most comfortable jeans you own and still looked good 
lol
and apparently they are going to send us the recipes from yesterday!!! I can’t wait
First blogger meetup for me, and I had such a great time with you girls! It was so nice to meet you.
And haha, I wish I wore a dress!
Hey! Lindsey
I totally need to link you up too. Loved meeting you. Great times. Hope the move goes well 
I saw you and you looked gorgeous! Not overdressed just perfectly put together! Sorry we didn’t get to meet or chat – was a great evening! I get overwhelmed with big groups, but was such a lovely crowd! xo
Sorry Gillian! I totally remember you
I tried to make it to everyone but you were also always mingling. It’s hard when there are so many of us, eating and drinking! lol
thank you for the lovely compliment
Looks like you had a great time last night! So jealous of your chobani swag you got!!
I know how you feel about the CN tower, I feel the same way!!Never gets old looking at it.
You should see if they’ll send you some Sarah
they are all about bringing it to Canada. It can only be bought in Toronto right now.
The only time I had chobani yogurt was at the Toronto Goodlife Marathon. They were giving it away after the run. I made a point to stand in the line afterwards just to get some!
Nice! I’m telling you email
Were all the bloggers women? Why don’t I get invited to these parties!? lol
They were! There was one guy there but I’m pretty sure he was a spouse (?) and you have to email companies Paul and review products
Maybe next time you will ….or better yet, we can throw our own party! and run instead!
I am so glad that I introduced you to Chobani! I feel like a marriage broker!
I have been using it whenever I can get my hands on it, in EVERYTHING… sauces, especially Hollandaise, and with horseradish.
I have been lucky to have won some in a giveaway and have been send some by Chobani too… Emily Schildt is THE best… I am so looking forward to their starting to sell in my corner of Canada SOON.. They keep promising!
Elle! I completely haven’t been using blogger dashboard to follow blogs anymore so I forgot to visit your food blog. I must go there for some ideas!
Hollandaise sauce with yogurt?!?!?! this sounds AMAZING!!!!!!!! recipe please!
and yes, thank you so much for encouraging me to email them
Elle – there were promises of them bring over MORE FLAVOURS like blood orange! YAY
One of these days they’ll make it to Quebec and I will rejoice! When I was in Toronto for a couple of weeks though, I really enjoyed pigging out on the Chobani
(and I love your dress!)
As for rooftop patios – I love them. Especially the ones in Old Montreal – such great ambiance up on the roof looking out on the old town.
Ahhhh I love Montreal! although, I didn’t get to spend much time there, so I never got to go to any rooftops
I’m glad you had a great time! I’ve never been to a blogging event like this but I would love to someday!
I love eating Greek yogurt, but I haven’t used it as a substitute in our cooking yet. We should though! We don’t use sour cream often anyway, but I’m sure I could find some way to use it.
They’re cool, it’s fun because everyone is blogging, so everyone is taking photos of each other and no one cares that we’re all tweeting, instagraming and facebook updating
lol
Such great post and loved meeting you last night, such a blast! I need to figure out how to make my pictures all fancy like yours! Your son is absolutely ADORABLE!
I use PicMonkey so feel free to go there and do the same
I used to use picnic, but Google bought it and it’s no longer.
Thanks so much Britta. It was nice to meet you as well
xo
Ali! Love your post. It was so so so nice to meet you last night – love that your blog is now on my radar. Also loved our chats about Toronto bloggers
Keep in touch!
likewise Stephanie! I think it was so much fun and you were such a nice vibe at the party
I’m still following….even when I don’t comment.
I’ve never attended a bloger meet-up, I’ve never seen one close to where I live. I have met fellow bloggers and look forward to meeting more.
I use greek yogurt in EVERYTHING (and I LOVE Chobani)!
Hey Kristin, no need to explain – I hear you! I feel like I fell off the face of the blogging earth. I’ve been just awful trying to visit everyone, so no need for explanations. Sometimes It’s just not easy to comment
Thanks so much for sending my that conversion chart xo
Last night was a great event, lots of great new blogs to follow!
too true
I’ll look forward to creeping everyone
I am pretty sure this is the point, but you’he got me CRAVING a parfait right now. I like Greek Yogurt. Yummy!
If I knew how to incorporate it more into recipes, I would definitely use it more!!
Looks like a fun event!! Toronto looks beautiful, I’ve never been there before.
lol
sorry. I hope you got your yogurt fix. I am the same way – I have a hard time on WIAW b/c everyone is posting such amazing food 
if you ever visit let me know – it’s only an hour away
Oh it must be so fun to attend something like that! Awesome!! I’ve never been to a blogger meet-up yet but hopefully in the future
PS. You looked so pretty in your dress!
I hope you get a chance. Some of my favourite memories include other bloggers. and thank you so much for the lovley compliment Megan
xo
i think the lift is pretty damn coolio!
lol – it was….once the wall opened
Looks like a great time! I would’ve loved that, slight obsession with Chobani here!
lol
well hopefully we will meet one day – ps: I’m going to be racing with Rex on Sunday. I was wondering if miles and mutts had plans for Canada??? and/or how you made those little “adopt me” saddles.
I think I may advertise for shelters or something while we run – as he is an abuse adoptee
What a fun event! I have only had good experiences with the people at Chobani…and I use it for everything now. In baking or even in place of sour cream for Mexican food. Delicious!
Nice! Kristin just sent me the conversion chart so I plan to use it in many more places. I already make hummus with it – more protein, less fat and some other dips but I have yet to bake with it!
What a great night and I love that you dressed up. Better to be overdressed than underdressed is my motto. I’ve never been to a blogger meetup and am dying to. The recaps always sound so fun!
I think that it’s fine as long as you don’t look like you’re attending prom
lol
and I hope you get to meet some bloggers one day!
I just bought some Chobani and I will say, it is better than any other greek yogurt I have tried. I want to try some different flavors but they don’t sell many at my store.
Also, I think it is way better to be over dressed for an event than under dressed. You looked great!
Hey patty!!!! and yay for Chobani convert
I love it too but I also love PC’s I even told them that they’d be their biggest competitor out here – they have more protein.
Sadly I have to say no to 1 & 2. I am the only blogger that I know of in my area
But I have done 3, numerous times. I love to use yogurt to bake, and I have a few pancake recipes using the ingredient. It is truly one of my favorite ingredients to work with!!
I’m sure there must be some more you don’t even know about
and Helen some of your recipes are pinned waiting for me to try them 
Looks like a great time and yummy food! I have never done a blogger meet up but I hope I get to some day! You look great in your dress by the way!
Thanks so much Christy and I’d love to do a meet up with you
…and Cola
Holy crap that looks like a great event. I would have loved to be able to see all the different recipes they used it for. Looks great!
One of the girls posted about them all….I’m going to try and link everyone up on the bottom later tonight
You looked classy and wonderful! Looks like a fabuloso time!
Thanks so much Mindy
1. have you ever attended a blogger meet up before?? – Yes! Love them!
2. ever been to a roof top patio?? – Yes! I live in NYC.
3. do you use Greek yogurt as a baking/cooking substitute?? would you if you knew how? Sadly, I don;t bake or eat yogurt.
LOL Jen! I love your answer to #2
I can’t wait to visit you one day….yep, I’m just going to show up.
I’ll post a recipe using it when I make some
I’m surprised that Logan didn’t try to smuggle himself into the party in your handbag. You wouldn’t have noticed a little extra weight surely – especially with your big guns.
I should’ve brought a bigger bag. I think Logan would’ve gone insane if he was there. He just eats yogurt non-stop. He’s already eaten 2 out of 4 of those cups. lol
Using Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream works out pretty well for most every recipe I’ve tried it in.
That rooftop has a beautiful view! I’ve been to a couple of rooftop bars in Charleston, SC, that are breathtaking!
I haven’t been to a blogger meet up but I did get to meet Vanessa, Jenny, and Elizabeth in Atlanta for the Publix GA Marathon. I’m pretty sure Lindsay was working the Chobani booth there!
I love using greek yogurt in place of things of the same consistency, like sour cream, tahini, cottage cheese and regular yogurt, mayonnaise etc…but I’ve never baked with it! I must start
Their blood orange flavor is amazing! Love it! I just bought a giant case of it.:) And BTW, you look amazing and not like you tried to hard!!! I’m surprised you don’t already have a job from that night (or do you??!!).
I can’t wait till it comes over here! they said it was coming
I can’t wait to try it. and thanks so much Lisa 
you make me feel so good about myself! and no jobs, but that’s ok. I’ll just keep looking
as always you look beautiful!
awww Lindy, you are so nice
Thank you. xo
I flew into TO the other week on the way to Ottawa and enjoyed seeing the CN Tower too
I’ve had informal blogger meetups; nothing sponsored by Chobani…I guess they’re launching there?
I tend to use yogurt instead of sour cream, but that’s about the only substitution.
Ummmmm WHAT! no hey Ali I’m going to be within an hour of meeting you range?? lol
I’d love to meet you. We could draw each other instead of taking pics
Hehe. Sorry, we really were just in the airport for a couple of hours before heading off to Ottawa.
Looks like so much fun!!! I have never actually tried using yogurt as a substitute when cooking but I know a lot of recipes that do. I’ll have to get on that and try!!! Oh and you did look great!!!
Hey Nancy, hope you are feeling GREAT
and I can’t wait to try substituting it either! thanks so much xoxo
Roof tops in NYC are the way to go in the spring/summer! I was at one this weekend. This looks like a blast – love me some cho cho!! It is also nice to see little Lo loving the cho!
Sounds like a great time! You look fabulous!
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