Remember when the prevailing stereotype around bloggers was that they were all Cheetos-dusted fat men writing angry scribes from their parents’ basement?

That all seems rather dated. Through Public Radio Kitchen, I’ve gotten to meet a lot of food bloggers, and – surprise! – they’re some of the most thoughtful writers I know. More than that, there’s an increasing recognition in the larger world that bloggers are not just typing into a void – they can be well-read, respected, even influential.

That’s the idea between Boston Brunchers, a group that brings together bloggers from all over the city to meet for that glorious, gluttonous meal. Restaurants feed these bloggers the best of their brunch menu; in return, bloggers write up a review of the meal, giving the restaurant some exposure.

In honor of the group’s first anniversary, founder Renee Hirschberg graciously invited me to one of their brunches at South Boston’s Local 149. A tea party this was not. This was a carnivorous, gut-busting, marathon of an eating experience – I have never eaten more cured meat in one sitting before.

More importantly, perhaps, my foodie dining companions were hilarious, nerdy in the coolest way possible, and simply delightful. More than the spicy Bloody Marys, it’s them I’ll remember (well, okay – I’ll remember them AND the Bloody Marys).

But I still had some questions. Trivially – why brunch? Less trivially – is this really ethical? Hirschberg graciously answers all my questions below – plus, after the jump, a chance to attend the biggest brunch yet!

PRK: When did you first get the idea for Boston Brunchers, and why?

RH: Last year I went to a bloggers’ dinner at Villa Francesca in the North End. At that brunch, several of us started talking about how much we loved brunch, and how we should get a group together to explore some of the area’s brunches. A month later fifteen bloggers attended the brunch I organized at Lord Hobo in Inman Square. We had so much fun at brunch we decided we should do it every month. I went home that night and created the website. Boston Brunchers had been born! I had owned my own marketing agency for almost 10 years. Having been out of marketing for almost a year, Brunchers has become my creative outlet, a way for me to funnel my love for marketing.

PRK: Why brunch and not dinner?

RH: It hadn’t been done yet. I believe we are the only group in Boston promoting restaurants’ brunches and specializing in just that one glorious meal of the week. Plus, who doesn’t want to explore brunch? Any meal when you can order eggs Benedict or a burger is a.o.k. in my book. Brunch has the cajones to throw away the labels put on other meals.

PRK: Did you know a lot of bloggers before you started the group? How has that changed?

RH: I was actually fairly new to the blogging community when I started the group. I knew a core group of bloggers fairly well. I have put a lot of emphasis lately on trying to reach out to all genres of blog… food, lifestyle, fashion, fitness, family blogs, and others. We want to give the restaurants wide exposure to many different Boston audiences. So this has caused the group to really grow, thrive and cast a wide net. But, in general, getting to know all of the bloggers in the area has been an even bigger perk then the amazing food we have gotten to eat. Boston is really lucky to have such a supportive, friendly blogging community.

PRK: How many bloggers in total are involved with this?

RH: We have had over 70 different bloggers who have attended brunches, and we have more than 1000 bloggers and buzz agents on our list! I cannot even believe how far we have come! Like I said in the previous question, we really have grown to incorporate all types of bloggers.

PRK: Can you explain a little bit about how it works? Do restaurants contact you, for instance, or is it the other way around?

RH: Generally, after a brunch, multiple restaurants will reach out to me because they see the amount of buzz created by the brunch we just completed. However, if the Brunchers have a location they really want to try, I will reach out to the restaurant to see if we can set something up.

PRK A lot of the brunch posts seem to be rave reviews – are there any brunches you’ve disliked?

RH: Amazingly, we have only had one brunch that has been a pretty big flop. I won’t say who it was, but if you read through our archives you will be able to see it. I always encourage people to write exactly how they feel. I think each blogger handles this in a different way. Everything can’t always be perfect… even though we have been lucky enough to have a few brunches where everything was… you will see most bloggers write what their least favorite thing was, or note if there was something they didn’t particularly like. We are more than aware that MOST of these restaurants put their A-game on for us, which is why we make sure to note that the brunch was free and set up specifically for us; it really cannot represent 100 percent what the “normal” dining experience would be. But the reviews will tell you what the restaurant is really capable of!

PRK: Sort of on the same note, all of the bloggers who attend these brunches acknowledge that the meal was comped, and you tell restaurants that bloggers will give their honest opinion at these meals. But I have to admit, having attended the brunch at Local 149, that I’d feel incredibly guilty writing anything bad about the experience (I thought the Lobster Egg McMuffin was gross, but how ungracious to put that in print upon receiving such an overall wonderful experience!). Do you ever struggle with this as well?

RH: I think every blogger struggles with this. Personally, I feel like you HAVE to say if you didn’t like something. You are doing your readers a disservice if you do not. And you know what, if you have one thing you don’t like out of 7, and the service is good, I think it is all good. Plus, it reinforces that you were telling the truth about how good everything else was.

PRK: Another thing I struggled with – actually eating the crazy amount of food we were served. How do you prepare yourself for going to these events at least once a month? Does it feel unhealthy?

RH: Yeah, this is a tough one. Not all brunches are as gluttonous as the last one, you just order off the menu like a normal meal. Meals like the one at Local [where a multi-course meal was served] are a little tougher. You have to learn to pace yourself and only eat a few bites of each course… unless it is really tremendous like those chicken and waffles! It is all about pacing. You may have also noticed a lot of talk about working out and running. A large majority of our bloggers are into exercise as well. I know, personally, that bingefest at Local pushed me right into the gym!

PRK Do you have any advice to restaurants who want to host these brunches?

RH: It is always helpful when someone from the restaurant (especially the chef) comes out to talk to the group. In general, the people at our brunches love the entire process of how a meal gets to the table, so sending the chef, owner or manager out to give us some insight on how things are done is always appreciated! Also, making sure there are options for all types of diner (that is: vegetarian, vegan, lactose intolerant…). Our group generally has a great sense of humor, so waiters who can handle us are always appreciated!

Also, we understand how restaurants work. We know that sometimes the kitchen gets backed up and things are delayed. I cannot stress how important it is for the server to just keep people in the loop. This is my big rule for dining,  in general. If a server lets you know a kitchen is backed up, acknowledges the problem and keeps your drink filled and doesn’t make you think you have been forgotten, diners generally understand. Avoiding the diners does NOT make the delay go faster!

PRK: If you could brunch anywhere in the city, what restaurant would you pick?

RH: Oh man, this is a tough one. But, if we are doing a theoretical… I would love to have a picnic-esque type brunch in the Common prepared with local ingredients by up-and-coming chefs! A brunch pop-up if you will!

If you’re reading this, you’re probably thinking – can I get in on this thing? Luckily for you, yes – Public Radio Kitchen will be giving away one ticket to Boston Brunchers’ October 16th anniversary brunch! The event will include ridiculous amounts of schwag and a free, ridiculously extravagant meal.

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post (be sure to include your email address in the comment form) with your answer to a question I asked Renee: what would be your perfect brunch? Answers will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on September 29 – this Thursday. One winner will be chosen at random the following day. Tip for the winner: wear loose-fitting clothing.