It’s been a whirlwind last couple of weeks. I just got back from vacation, at the end of which I got to be a part of TASTE15: Unearthing the Art and Science of Food, a food blogger trip hosted by Best Food Facts. Before I even went I knew it was going to be amazing, but I didn’t know exactly HOW amazing! We got to have dinner on a vineyard, pick California strawberries, learn about honey and olive oil, tour a dairy farm and have one of the best dinners I’ve had in my entire life at a downtown Sacramento restaurant.
The trip took place in northern California, in the Sacramento/Davis areas and I got to make some amazing new friends (it’s recap part 1 because I’m going to get to see all the lovely ladies two more times before the end of the year!) and see some ladies I’d already spent time with (Lynn and Jocelyn-both of whom were at the ChiTownRetreat!) Hopefully I can express the beauty of what I saw and experienced through pictures.
Putah Creek Winery Excursion – We kicked things off with a tour of Putah Creek Winery followed by a food and wine pairing dinner. The wine was outstanding (I have a new love of red wines) and the scenery was just gorgeous. We literally had dinner on the vineyard (top right photo courtesy of Lynn!)
The wine was phenomenal, and it was so special to hear one of the partners (Diego Barison – bottom center pictures) talk about their production and wine making process. The food was also phenomenal – I was getting so many ideas and just loved everything from the presentation to the food itself! For appetizers we had carrot hummus and goat cheese covered in apricot jam and pistachios (my new favorite by the way – you can expect a recipe coming soon) and then dinner was duck confit with polenta and vegetables and dessert was goat cheese strawberry cheesecake.
Strawberry Patch Adventure – “You also can’t go to California without experiencing California strawberries” is what I was told, and boy was I happy to experience this. I had never before had such sweet and fresh strawberries! We stopped at T&Y Strawberry Patch, took a tour of their farm and stopped by the farm’s fruit stand.
We met the farmer who started the patch (she was up that morning at 5am tending and picking strawberries) and I was in love with the amazing selection of goodies at their store (lower right picture-I got fig balsamic vinegar, honey, of course either fresh strawberries and raspberries and then some of their homemade strawberry jam!)
Dinner at Ella Dining Room and Bar – For dinner we went to Ella’s Dining Room and Bar. Their food…wow, I was blown away by the fresh ingredients and amazing salads. When asked what one of the favorite parts of the trip were, I blurted out ‘the salads at Ella’s!’ They were piled high on a plate and each one was more delicious than the next (there were three different ones).
Dairy Farm Tour – Our last adventure in California was a tour of the New Hope Dairy Farm.
We saw the dairy farm and got to see all the magnificent animals, truly a cool experience.
In the picture from right to left: farmers from New Hope Dairy Farm (all the males in the picture), me, Lynn from Order in the Kitchen, Alice from Hip Foodie Mom, Hayley from The Domestic Rebel, Liz from Lizventures, Jocelyn from Inside Bru Crew Life, Marybeth from Alarm Clock Wars, Krista S. from The Farmer’s Wifee, Sarah from Nurse Loves Farmer, Lauren from Paint the Town Ag, Adriana from Adriana’s Best Recipes, and Sanura from My Life Runs on Food.
I can’t wait to see everyone again in late July and then share here on my blog more of what I see and learn. I hope you’re prepared for many recipes that were inspired by this trip!
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melanie says
Awww….my fave blogger was in my backyard. I live an hour and a half north of Sacramento. Glad you had a great time!! And you missed the heat. We are now in triple digits.
Sweetphi says
Awe, you’re so sweet and you totally made my day! Triple digits? Eek, you’re right, I did miss the heat! Here in the midwest I think it’s hot when it’s like 70-80 degrees lol. Your part of the country is gorgeous though 🙂 Thanks again for your lovely comment!
hipfoodiemom says
oh my gawd, girl! you are SO on top of things!!!! Look at you with the awesome recap post! I love this post and am SO HAPPY that we finally met!!!! can’t wait to see you again later this month at EWR and next month for best food facts again!!!! woot woot!!!!!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much girl! It was amazing meeting you as well!!! I just found out that I can’t go to EWR but I can’t wait to see you in July for another BFF trip 🙂
Lynn Lovejoy says
LOVED being on this trip with you girl!! Beautiful photos and excellent recap! Can’t wait for the next trip!!
Sweetphi says
Can’t wait to see you next time girl, loved being there with you 🙂
Best Food Facts says
Love your recap! Thank you so much for joining us!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for hosting the most amazing trip 🙂
Mabelle@ Ma Bella Vita says
Wow! What an amazing experience! I can only dream of doing something like that one day. Hope my dream comes true. Take me with you next time! 🙂 who doesnt love wine and some yummy foods while exploring the country life. love it.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much for your comment 🙂
roxi beck says
I must agree – those salads were incredible! It was simply delightful to spend time with you and all the lovelies – can’t wait until next time! XO
Sweetphi says
THE SALADS! OMG still thinking about them lol. It was so nice getting to spend time with you, thank you thank you 🙂 Can’t wait until July!
manda2177 says
Looks like a wonderful trip!
Sweetphi says
It was such a wonderful trip, thank you so much for your comment
cheri says
Hi Phi, looks like an amazing trip, also you and your husband drove right by our house when you drove up the Oregon coast, town of Yachats. Take care!
Sweetphi says
The town of Yachats was so cool, we still don’t know how it’s pronounced lol!
andrea rentea says
This is a beautiful presentation. Thank you so much for letting us share in it.
Sweetphi says
You’re so welcome, and thank you for the lovely comment!
Suné Moolman says
What an adventure! So special that you got to share it with your hubby. 🙂
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much, it was so special to get to share part of the trip with him!
Sarah [NurseLovesFarmer.com] says
Had an amazing time meeting you, Phi! Great recap and see you in Chicago!
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much Sarah, it was so great to meet you, and I can’t wait until July 🙂
Bethany says
I loved, loved, loved reliving last week through this post! So happy you are a part of TASTE15! = )
Sweetphi says
Awe, thank you so much Bethany, I had SO much fun and cannot wait until we see each other again!