.::|TheDish|::.

CORE Vodka

We got out of town this weekend at last, to a resort in New Paltz, NY (more on that later), and on our way, we took a slight detour to catch up with Derek Grout, a long-time best bud in the Hudson Valley. I know Derek from the inception of my interactive marketing career; he was the Ivy league educated cool Web designer dude who always had an energetic smile and a hell of a story to tell. One of the biggest stories I'd say was his decision to leave the quasi-monotonous 9-5 lifestyle and return to his roots – quite literally – in upstate New York. The Grout family has been operating a successful apple farm, Golden Harvest Farms, for decades, and Derek felt it was time to give a little back by turning his passion, creativity, and hard work away from the computer screen and daily grind and start investing in the most important thing possible: his family and their business.

Derek's return to Golden Harvest Farms pumped a new and immediate vitality into the family orchard: he painted colorful signs to help market the farm's fruit and local produce; ran orchard tractor rides for pick your own; and, simply brought life and a helping hand to the farm. But leave it to Derek and his entrepreneurial spirit to take his personal journey just one step further. He began talking about a new idea 2 years or so ago. Why not take those thousands of tons of cider apples that would otherwise be sent to Pennsylvania or elsewhere for cider production and instead ferment the cider, and create one of the finest spirits in the world, vodka.

After months of educating, perfecting, and distilling, Derek's intense labor, passion and commitment brings all of us vodka lovers alike a libation that simply is like no other: CORE Vodka, produced by Harvest Spirits, LLC. No, it's not an apple flavored vodka, but rather it is a smooth, clean spirit, best served over ice or straight up as a martini. From the website:

Harvest Spirits is one of the only distilleries in the country that makes alcohol from the products grown on-site. That means, the apples are grown, where they are pressed, fermented, distilled and bottled at the same location. The benefits are obvious. Not only do we conserve fossil fuels needed to transport the alcohol, we control the entire process, from field to bottle.

The official product launch is May 1, and CORE Vodka will be available in NY state only, for now. I encourage you to take the 2 hour trip from Boston or New York City to the farm to check out the distillery, sample some vodka, and get a tour from none other than Derek Grout himself. Oh, be sure to test out the cider donuts, pick up some fresh produce, and sink your chops into one of the many succulent apple varietals. I'm getting thirsty and hungry now :).

Congrats to my bud for making his dreams a reality and an amazing vodka for the rest of us to enjoy... I'll drink to that!

Harvest Spirits LLC
harvestspirits.com
Golden Harvest Farms
goldenharvestfarms.com
3074 US Route 9
Valatie, NY 12184

To set up a tour of the distillery and farm, call Golden Harvest Farms at 518-758-2920 or Derek Grout at 518-253-5917.

Cooking Therapy

I have been working long days lately, and with that, obviously comes some stress. Naturally, having a few type A qualities, I have a hard time detaching from work; in fact, I never really can truly detach. Sigh. Well, tonight, after leaving work at about 8pm, and having a couple cocktails with coworkers, I found myself at home & starving. The beau is on call, so I thought we may have dinner, but not a definite. So, most people in that situation would think of any easy solution: take- out? frozen dinner? leftovers? Not me; I decided to pound a couple chicken breasts to a thin width, stuff with goat cheese and fresh herbs, roll it, sprinkle with more fresh herbs, and bake; in the meantime, I chopped a tomato, and sprinkled over the chicken, drizzled olive oil and shaved fresh parm for the last minute or so of baking (don't ask, I made it up with what's left in the fridge). In parallel, I chopped cauliflower, drizzled generously with olive oil, and baked for a 1/2 hour; I then sprinkled chopped garlic, lemon, tarragon, and thyme, popped it back into the oven for five minutes, then generously sprinkled with again, with shaved parm.

Sound like a big production to undertake at 10pm? Not for me; I realized as I was slicing and dicing, prepping and cheffing, that this is my true therapy. Cooking allows me to truly detach, to be creative, and to feel like I am doing something for myself. Did I eat it all at 11pm? No, I have leftovers for the beau and for tomorrow, but I am relaxed and (somewhat) detached.

We all need an escape, a way to release the stress of everyday. I urge you to find yours, and to do it as often as you can. Off to bed, then off to work again :)

Newbie Syndrome

Being a newbie is so liberating, yet so nerve-wracking. It gives you a chance to start-over, wipe the slate clean, and re-set those first impressions. You can take all the knowledge and learnings you have gained in your career(s) over the years, and even the mistakes, and use them as a baseline from which to grow and develop - exciting! Of course you don't have the solid support of friends and peers that respected your talents, ability and smarts, so starting down that path - again - can be quite a task, and honestly, pretty exhausting. So, on my fourth day at my new gig, I am not yet in a position to post about "how things are" overall, other than the simple fact that I am having fun & experiencing "newbie syndrome". Yes, a holiday party on day three helps to smooth the transition and the introductions (and no, I did NOT drink heavily!!); but net/net, I am still a newbie, and I am alright with that... I am doing just fine :)

My New Gig: m-Qube

I have some very exciting news! I have recently accepted a position at m-Qube (a VeriSign Co.), within their interactive media and project management group. m-Qube is a leading mobile enabler and marketing firm, boasting an impressive client list that includes Coca-Cola, Sony Pictures, Major League Baseball Advanced Media, Warner Music Group, Reuters, GQ, Virgin Mobile Canada and Telus Mobility. I will be dedicated to the CBS account, tasked with strategically developing and executing their campaigns and initiatives in the mobile arena. I am excited about the opportunity for many reasons, but key drivers behind my decision are: 1.) my passion for new, emerging medias like the mobile niche market 2.) my passion for technology, and 3.) the opportunity to play a hybrid account management and project management role for a big-named client.

I am going to miss Digitas, particularly all the amazing folks I have grown close to over the last couple years. I expect my exit party to be so fun, but also quite emotional!

Chel Bella One Day Sale!

To all the Ladies:

You have to check out Chel Bella, my friend Chelsea's boutique in Hingham, this Saturday, August 19th for her one day sale.  From 10am to 2pm, shop selected merchandise at 50% off.  Then, from 2pm to 6pm, the discount jumps to 75% off remaining items. Featuring brands such as Free People, Ruth, Citizens of Humanity, Three Dot, Nicole Miller, Michael Stars, Joie, Lacoste, BCBG, and so many more, this is a don't miss sale! I went last Spring and left with Paper Denim jeans and 3 playful summer hand bags for about $150!!!

Chel Bella
28 South Street
Hingham, MA
Phone: 781.749.1219

bidgopher.com

At the beginning of June, a friend of mine launched bidgopher.com, an online service whereby homeowners in the Boston area needing repairs can easily connect with local trade professionals. Looking for a contractor to re-do your bathroom or a landscaper to add vitality to your back yard? Then drop the phonebook, forget the engine searches, and post your project, for free, and let the contractors find you! Not only that, but you can comb through your responses and select the contractor that best suits you financial and project needs. Are you a carpenter, painter, electrician, or any type of contractor looking for additional work? For the small fee of $59.99 per month, you can search multiple listings at your convenience, make connections, and simply get the job done.

The site is password protected, the design and user-interface is clean and friendly, the content is frill-less and concise, and the concept is brilliant. Ok, I will stop the word-of-mouth marketing tactic here, and let you check it out for yourself. Pass on the good word (oops, there I go again :))

Designs by Gail Schneider

I recently received an email from a woman named Gail who had visited TheDish and is asking that I spread a good word about her custom designer T-shirt business, www.gschneiderdesigns.com, to all of you. At first, I was hesitant, as I have never been to her store nor have I ever seen her merchandise. But I said, hey the most effective type of marketing these days is word-of-mouth, and in the interest of customer evangelism, I figured I would check it out. Well, the Tanks and T’s are SUPER cute! Gail has been featured in Boston Magazine, The Daily Candy, Cosmo and more, and rumor has it (and this scan shows it), Brittney loves her Gail-T!

“Sassy, trendy, classic, ... Contemporary T’s and Tanks that complement women of all ages. And because no top is ever exactly duplicated, you can be confident that you’re wearing a signature piece.”

I particularly am a fan of the "Gail's Heart to Heart" a long-sleeve T customized with an embroidered heart for $60, because $25 per purchase is donated to the American Heart Association. How cool. You can’t order online yet, however she is taking phone orders (617 763 7405 ) or you can visit her retail location, by appointment only. Maybe Gail will hook me up with a sample for this customer-customer promotional writeup :) ?!?! Pssst, I like Anat and Rina the best :)... Hats off to Gail, for her positive contribution to the world of young female entrepreneurs!

Chel Bella Blowout Sale

Today I shopped Chel Bella in Hingham, MA, at their seasonal blowout sale. This super cute women's boutique of "chic feminine fabrications" is owned by my friend Chelsea. Featuring brands such as Joie, BCBG, Nicole Miller, Blue Cult, Red Engine and the like, the store was crowded with sale-hunting lady customers. And an amazing sale they had! Chels started off with the entire store at 25% off original price- well, almost, as a couple "new arrivals" racks were not on sale - and then the following hour she dropped the sale price to 50% off, then by the time we arrived, the store was 75% off! Let's just say I walked out with 3 trendy purses and a pair of fit Paper Denim's, all for a mere $127-.... Weeeeeee!!!! I am such the bargain shopper, and with the Downtown Crossing Filene's Basement in front of my office, how could I not be?!?!?!? Props to Chels for a) following her dream and opening a boutique, and b) for the marketing savviness she showed by clearing her stock, expanding her customer base, and making room for some new threads!!!

I would encourage all the ladies to check out Chel Bella, as Chelsea really did a wonderful job of balancing high end clothes and accessories with more affordable - but adorable - merchandise. The quaint and New England-esque "downtown" area of Hingham is characterized by boutiques and shops, cafes, and great restaurants, and is well worth the short 15-20 minute drive from Boston.

Chel Bella
28 South St
Hingham, MA 02043
781.749.1219