Bluegrass Blogger Dinner
- Posted on March 10, 2019
As most of you may know by now, I’m a born and bred Kentucky girl. I was raised on a small farm on the north end of Lexington. I’ve always loved Kentucky, but I think having lived elsewhere for several years instilled an even greater pride within me. To highlight some wonderful locally made items, I decided to invite a few friends for a Bluegrass Blogger Dinner.
I enjoy entertaining while incorporating local ingredients. I decided to expand on that idea and arrange a dinner party. I started reaching out to business owners and received so much positive feedback and interest. There is something very special about actually meeting the people who grow or make one’s food and goods. The time and passion that go into our locally made items provides for the exceptional.
It’s gratifying to know that when I purchase from a local farmer, baker or maker, that money remains in the community to sustain our healthy growth!
Photography by Karrie Bickett of Muse Marketing and Design
I invited some great bluegrass bloggers and a fantastic photographer to join my Bluegrass Blogger Dinner. I knew they shared a similar passion for our Commonwealth and are always on the lookout for great food and drinks. Joining the dinner were bloggers Nichole from @ShareLexKY, Reagan author of @FoodisMyThang and JC of @JCPeats. I was delighted that a terrific, local product photographer Karrie from @MuseMarketingLex also accepted an invitation.
When the day finally arrived for my long-awaited dinner it snowed, of course. Yes, it was in the upper 60s the week before but what else would you expect in Kentucky? Luckily, this was a big, fluffy snowfall and actually made for some lively photos!
We had the pleasure of sipping our wines from etched glasses created by Forever Lasered Memories in Nicholasville. This husband and wife team, along with a recent, little addition personalize a number of items such as glassware, flasks, door décor, travel mugs and even barrel heads. Their business was born out of a love for personalized gifting and our Kentucky etched glasses were the perfect accessory to dinner!
Boonecreek Cremery generously provided an awesome cheese tray abounding in flavorful options. Among the selections were delectable Smoked Gouda, Kentucky Derby with a hint of bourbon and Abby Road peppered with tangy, sun-dried tomatoes. We enjoyed a distinctive Mamma Mia, an herb infused cheese with a creamy finish. Finally, Sassy Redhead delivers a little heat at the end from cracked peppercorns topped with smoked paprika.
Infused flavors such as Herb de Provence, lemon, garlic, fig, black truffle and Tuscan herb are displayed, to name just a few. On the opposite wall you’ll spy just as many outstanding balsamics and white balsamics with flavors ranging from chocolate, pear, white peach, coconut, honey ginger, to vanilla and more. They also offer spices, sea salts and naturally flavored cane sugars. Stop in for tastings and take home a few choices for yourself or as gifts. Most products are offered in three sizes which will fit any budget!
Triple J Farm of Georgetown contributed the ideal partnership to for our fresh pasta with their outstanding homemade marinara and Italian beef sausage. This farm offers fresh beef, free-range eggs, jarred salsa and marinara, as well as newly harvested, summer vegetables and plants for your garden. You can invest in their half and full CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) right now, which can include farm fresh eggs, with six convenient, pick-up locations in Lexington, Georgetown and Louisville. Come out to your local farmer’s market to meet them in person or visit their farm for a cooking class.
Lexington Pasta generates their delicate goods under the same roof as the Lexington Pasta Garage on Delaware Avenue. These businesses were established by two friends, Lesme Romero and Reinaldo Gonzalez who combined a love of Italian food and fresh ingredients in setting up their successful endeavors. You must visit them and enjoy their luscious pastas to fully inform your decisions on which to cook yourself!
Rounding out the meal was an sumptuous pistachio cake with luxurious, white mousse layers, finished with a French buttercream icing. You’ll lose yourself in the goodness of Martine’s Pasteries‘ incredibly rich, but not too sweet layered cake. You’d be remiss to not visit their cozy bakery and eatery on Third Street in Lexington. Cases of delectable treats await you with any French dessert you can imagine from macaroons, chocolate croissants, scones, cannoli, cakes, cookies and so much more. Stop in for a freshly baked cake from their shop or order a customized confection in advance. Stay for lunch or dinner and enjoy a cocktail!
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As most of you may know by now, I’m a born and bred Kentucky girl. I was raised on a small farm on the north end of Lexington. I’ve always loved Kentucky, but I think having lived elsewhere for several years instilled an even greater pride within me. To highlight some wonderful locally made items,…