Kentucky Food Blogger Inaugural Dinner

I'm 4th from the right, kinda' hidden in the back there, you can barely see my little head :)

When I first started blogging it was mainly just to keep track of my recipes and I had a small hope of having a few readers that were not family; I also hoped to encourage those readers to get in the kitchen and cook.  I never thought I would become part of a blogging group and get asked to go to blogging events, especially since I've only been blogging about eight months.  I knew I wasn't the only food blogger around my area, but I had no idea how many there truly were.  It's refreshing that other bloggers are so encouraging and helpful to new-comers like myself.  In the competitive world we live in, it seems so uncommon that people would want to "help the competition".  Getting to know other bloggers and building friendships has become my favorite part of the blogging process!

A few weeks ago, I attended my first blogging event: The Kentucky Food Blogger Inaugural Dinner.  Although I have enjoyed meeting other bloggers online, attending the Kentucky Food Blogger Inaugural Dinner, was by far the highlight of my blogging "career".  Actually meeting other food bloggers face to face was amazing and we had such an amazing dinner that Alltech and Jonathan's at Gratz Park sponsored for us.

A few of us met downtown at the Big Blue Martini before heading over to Jonathan's for dinner.  Although our Kentucky Food Blogger group has over 60 members now, only a few of us were able to attend the dinner.  I tried to take some pictures of our amazing meal but I didn't capture the beauty of each dish.

Kentucky Food Blogger Inaugural Dinner Menu

· Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale Beer Cheese on Fried Cornbread (I didn't get a pictures of this)

· Pearse Lyons Reserve – Molasses Marinated Alltech Angus Flank Steak with Arugula & Crispy Sweet Potatoes:

· Shrimp Corn Dogs, Kentucky Ale Beer Battered Fried Shrimp with Hot Mustard:

· Grilled Alltech Angus Ribeye with Horseradish Creamed Collard Greens (I didn't get a picture of this)

· Bluegrass Sundown Chocolate Pot Pie with Jonathan’s Vanilla Bean Ice Cream:

The whole dinner was amazing! Everything was tasty but my favorite was the Shrimp Corn Dog! WOW, for something that may not sound fancy or sophisticated, the shrimp corn dog was great and the hot mustard dipping sauce was to die for. I'm salivating just thinking about it.  NO LIE!  I'm definitely making those sometime.  The Angus ribeye topped with creamed collard greens was cooked to perfection and practically melted in my mouth.  Cap the night off with the chocolate pot pie...WOW! I was a stuffed little piglet.

Not only did I get to indulge in this decadent meal, we each received one of Jonathan's cookbooks, signed by Jonathan. I can't wait to make some of his yummy recipes! Lori and Mindy worked so hard at getting this event put together and also contacting local businesses to donate door prizes and items for a swag bag that each attendee received.

 The items in my saw bag were from:
Alltech
Bourbon Barrel Foods
Bauer's Candies
Herb'N Renewal
Weisenberger Mill
Whole Foods Lexington
Howard's Creek Authentic Beer Cheese
Elmwood Inn
Holly Hill Inn



Disclosure: The foods and products reviewed in this post were given to me free of charge. I was under no obligation to post about them and received no compensation for doing so.