When you're a foodie as in a food blogger and someone who creates recipes and cooks for a living, you are in the kitchen most all the time. No different than working in an office for a company, being a teacher and in your classroom, working in a department store, whatever. Your kitchen is your work space! And, sometimes it's good to get away from it all. Take a break, Skip out and let someone else cook for you!
Traveling offers mega inspiration for grabbing new food and recipe ideas. Sometimes it's the way the food is styled. Sometimes it's the combination of flavors. Sometimes it's the plate it's served on (or tray or bowl or whatever). Sometimes it's the name of the dish. These are all nuggets, and more, of inspiration. And, when you head back to your kitchen domain, you're energized and ready to create!
My gal, Kita, from Girl Carnivore and Pass the Sushi, were invited to go to central Mississippi. Ridgeland to be specific. Now maybe you've never heard of Ridgeland or you have (lucky you!). Maybe you've been to Mississippi and never associated it with be a foodie haven, but I'm here to tell you, it is! Not only did we get to experience some of the best dishes ever, from seafood and exquisite entrees to down home Southern fare, but we also explored retail, a spa, pilates and more! I can tell you I was surprised. Surprised at the level of sophistication offered in everything from the decor of the spa, pilates studio and makeup studio, but also with the cleanliness of the city, the friendliness, the attention to detail, the small family airport and more.
So, it's the perfect place for girlfriends to jet off to (or drive) and spend several days doing outdoor activities like biking, kayaking, boating and more, sipping cool cocktails at different places from swanky to hole in the wall bars, eating food that's big time fine dining or the best diner food around, and pampering yourselves with spa treatments, trendy shopping and more! Like the annual event hosted by Marianna and Andy Chapman of Eat Y'all 'Sweetest Chefs of the South'! Talk about tasting some outrageously unique and delicious desserts! And, you don't want to miss the Mississippi Craft Center. Housed in a state-of-the-art facility, this place is teaming with one-of-a-kind art creations by super talented Mississippi artisans. I mean, if I lived there, this is where I'd be doing all my holiday shopping!
Yes, I think Ridgeland, MS would be a perfect place for so many things. A Bachelorette Party. Girls Weekend. Quick Vacation. Outdoor Adventure. Anniversary Holidays, I Gotta Have a Vaca. And, more.
A few things about Ridgeland besides the great food...and, enjoy the video I made of some, not all (yikes!), of the food that we tasted and ate (sometimes licking my plate!) in just three short days!
- Ridgeland has an award-winning master plan that is being used to guide our community development efforts, incorporating green spaces and smarter developments.
- Ridgeland is recognized as a Tree City USA by The Arbor Day Foundation.
- Ridgeland is a designated Bronze Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists.
- Ridgeland was named as a Top 100 Best Places to Live by MONEY Magazine in 2007.
- Ridgeland has been selected at Mississippi's "Healthiest Hometown" in the fourth year of Healthy Hometown program presented by the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation. The city is home to more than 15 miles of recreational trails, more than any other city in the state.
- The City of Ridgeland was named the 2013 eCity of Mississippi by Google. The eCity Award recognizes the strongest online business community in each state - the digital capitals of America.
Disclosure: My visit to Ridgeland was as the guest of Visit Ridgeland. What you're reading is totally my opinion of my few days there exploring what this city has to offer travelers and foodies.
