Chicago! Eat Write Retreat 2015: VIP Luncheon with The Golden Door

Isn’t this the cutest kitchen?  A few weeks ago I was treated to lunch here, hosted by The Golden Door Resort and Spa, which is just a few miles from our ranch.  I flew all the way to Chicago to attend the Eat Write Retreat food bloggers’ conference and so did Chef Greg Frey Jr.  from the Golden Door!  He carried  ruby red grapefruit grown on the resort property in California to make those refreshing mocktails you can see on the table!  A busload of food bloggers from all over the United States arrived at a store-front in Chicago,  shown a doorway with a long, steep staircase,  and bravely step-step-stepped up to the top of the long staircase.  Imagine how surprised we all were to discover this charming open kitchen and living space with a culinary staff preparing a beautiful lunch for us!

photos by Dottie Foley Photography

Weeks before the conference,  The Golden Door sent packages of artisanal food product samples to Eat Write Retreat attendees who had purchased VIP tickets.  We were all invited to enter a recipe contest using the Golden Door products.  Now we had come to Chicago for the conference, and the VIP luncheon was our opportunity to meet representatives of the Golden Door, sample the cuisine, and learn more about the resort.

When it was time for lunch we walked down a short hallway and out onto a rooftop terrace where lucite tables and chairs were decorated with white hydrangeas.  The luncheon courses included the recipes chosen by Chef as the contest winners. One winner was the Harari Kale Salad by Kristen McKaffery of Slender Kitchen. 

Of all the products we were given to try, my favorite was the Blood Orange Marmalade.   The Golden Door grows much of their own produce for the cuisine at the resort, including acres of citrus groves.  To use all their wonderful fruit, they are developing jams and preserves that can be sold.    My friend and fellow San Diego food blogger, Stephanie Weaver made  Blood Orange-Glazed Spicy Grilled Shrimp with the marmalade, which was also one of the recipe contest winners!  I could have made a meal just from those shrimp!

photo by Dottie Foley Photography

Everyone was in heaven when they tasted the dessert, Cardamom Fig Ice Cream served with strawberries. Susan Palmer of The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen came up with the recipe.  Chef Greg Frey made the ice cream in Califoria and carried it to Chicago to serve at the luncheon.

I loved the ginger snap cookie crumbs on top of that creamy fig deliciousness, and the 18 year pomegranate balsamic too!

100% of Golden Door’s profits go to select charities across the U.S. dedicated to transforming the lives of children.  They farm bio-dynamically and harvest seasonal produce every morning.

Although our ranch is just a few miles from The Golden Resort, I have never been inside their gates.  They are known as an elite and exclusive spa for wealthy celebrities,  but since learning more about them I would love to experience their program.   Just to spend a whole week concentrating on fitness, mindfulness, and healthfulness could be life-changing.

Later that evening we kicked off the Eat Write Retreat conference…stay tuned for more fun!