Lexington Women Chefs "Women in World Cuisine" Dinner

 

 

 

 

 

I recently heard about a really cool event that's happening tomorrow night in Lexington, y'all.

The Lexington Women Chefs "Women in World Cuisine" Dinner consists of six courses, each prepared by a local female chef. The event promises an array of world cuisine, with a portion of each $50 ticket benefitting the

Children's Advocacy Center of the Bluegrass

, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the trauma experienced by child victims of sexual abuse.

How fun is that? Good food, cooked by talented local female chefs, and raising funds for an incredibly important cause!

The dinner will be held tomorrow night, Tuesday July 22nd, at 6 p.m. at

Brasabana

, located at 841 Lane Allen Road. For reservations, call 859-797-8461.

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HerKentucky's Search for the Perfect Scoop: Crank & Boom (Guest Post from Jennifer of A Girl Eats World}

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey everyone!

I'm Jennifer, the mad-woman behind a girl eats world, who is bringing the world to your kitchen table one recipe at a time.  I love and adore this beautiful state of Kentucky and all she has to offer.  I use local ingredients especially in the summer when the farmer's markets are open!  Using those KY ingredients for international cuisines is pretty perfect in my world!

For National Ice Cream Month, I decided to check out a local ice creamery that popped up at the Farmer's Market over the last year or so.  Its name is Crank and Boom.  The owner, Toa Green, is the daughter of another famous Lexington restaurant couple (Taste of Thai which I have been eyeballing for a while to try out), and she grew up here in the beautiful Bluegrass state!

I try to be VERY picky about what I eat.  I rarely buy anything pre-made or pre-packaged from the store to avoid preservatives and other unnatural chemicals added to food.  That is a HUGE reason I was so drawn to this ice cream.  Crank and Boom makes their ice cream with simple ingredients--milk, cream, sugar, and other natural flavorings.  No preservatives!  You do pay for it in the price ($8 at farmer's market or $9.27 at Hamburg Liquor Barn), but I am a firm believer in quality over quantity (and supporting locals!).  I selected five flavors to test: chocolate fudge brownie, dark chocolate truffle, vanilla, coffee stout, and blackberry and buttermilk.  I also tried the bourbon honey and at the farmer's market (they didn't have pints for sale when I went to the store!).

Now on to what you are here for--the review!

{The hubby and I had a blast trying these out!}

Coffee Stout

--A spoonful of this is like taking a shot of espresso!  WOW!!!  I've had coffee flavored ice cream before, and this ice cream blew them out of the water.  If you love coffee, this is definitely one for you.  My mom also loved this the best, and she loves herself a great cup of coffee!

Dark Chocolate Truffle-

-Being a chocolate lover, I found this chocolate ice cream delicious!  It has a ribbon of chocolate throughout that is crunchy when you bite into it making it an extra little chocolate surprise. 

KY Blackberry and Buttermilk

--Although this sounds completely strange, it was fantastic!  This ice cream has sweetness from the blackberries but tang from the buttermilk.  It's light and refreshing which I prefer in my desserts! 

Bourbon and Honey

-- WOW!  This has a definite bourbon kick with none of the alcohol effects.  Crank and Boom use Buffalo Trace bourbon in this delicious ice cream!  It's got the hint of bourbon with the sweetness of honey, and I can't lie when I say I bought peaches just to grill them and have them with this ice cream (it was FABULOUS if you are wondering!)!!!

Vanilla Bean

--My philosophy is that if you can't get the basics right, then there is little hope for the rest of the line.  This vanilla was the perfect vanilla--light and refreshing with just a slight sweetness.

Chocolate Fudge Brownie-

-Its flavor is only slightly chocolatey compared with the dark chocolate truffle.  In its defense, it's made with milk chocolate not dark chocolate.  After further digging (more than the picture above) the brownie bits did make up for the lack in chocolate flavor.  The hubby said that maybe we got the last of a batch or something. 

The hubby and I ranked them according to our preferences, and the results are below:

Hubby

  1. Coffee Stout 
  2. Dark Chocolate Truffle 
  3. Bourbon and Honey 
  4.  KY Blackberry and Buttermilk 
  5. Vanilla Bean 
  6. Chocolate Fudge Brownie

Mine

  1. KY Blackberry and Buttermilk/Bourbon and Honey 
  2. The rest--what can I say?  I LOVE ICE CREAM!!!!!  Sometimes I'm in a dark chocolate mood and others a vanilla mood--as long as it's good ice cream, I don't care! 

Overall, I would highly recommend this ice cream company to my fellow Lexington dwellers!  For me, a few bites satisfied because the flavor is so intense and delicious.  I can't wait to try some of their other flavors like coconut and strawberry!  It'll be my ice cream of choice from now on!

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Mama Knows Best: Julie Wilson

With Mother's Day coming up, we thought it would be fun to ask our writers, friends, and favorite Kentuckians to share the best advice their own mothers ever gave them.

Image via Lexington Herald-Leader
Julie Wilson, the publisher and editor-in-chief of Lexington-based Story Magazine, shared some great advice. Julie is smart, hard-working, and all-around awesome. Did I mention that she recently interviewed The Coolest Kentuckian, Johnny Depp, for Story's Hunter S. Thompson issue? That fact alone makes her my Kentucky Writer Girl Crush.

Here's the sage advice Julie passed along to us:
"My mother told me to never settle. No matter how outlandish my dream might seem to others, I should always go for it. I know my Mom would be proud of me for not giving up." 
 Julie was recently named Business Owner of the Year by the Lexington chapter of NAWBO, was the subject of a KET documentary, and can't keep Story's Gonzo swag on the shelves. That's all pretty impressive for a business that's barely two years old! I'd say her mama's excellent advice paid off!!


{Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous advice with us, Julie!}
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Lexington Party and Sample Sale for sizes 10+

This Saturday in Lexington, I'm hosting a party and sample sale with fashion in sizes 10-32. Fashion above a size 10 can be so difficult to find, and this will be the first time items from designers like Kiyonna, IGIGI, Karen Kane, and more will be available on-site in Kentucky!


The clothing comes from Gwynnie Bee, which is a monthly subscription clothing service that I'm obsessed with. The sample items being sold are gently worn rental inventory but all have been thoroughly inspected and cleaned. Best of all, everything will be $20 or less!


You can find the invitation on Facebook, where I'll also be posting some sneak peeks of items that will be for sale. Please invite your friends and family. Did I mention we'll have snacks, sweets, and mimosas?!

Post by Authentically Emmie.

Will I see you on Saturday?
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The HerKentucky Valentine's Day Wish List

Valentine's Day is tomorrow, and we've been shopping a lot! This week, we've given you our Valentine's Day Wish Lists for guys and for t-shirt lovers. Today, here are a few great, Kentucky-made pieces for the woman on your shopping list, or some great ways to treat yourself!

W & M Custom Jewelry Silver Tulip Earrings

I went out to dinner with a dear friend the other night, and I found myself looking at her earrings repeatedly. Finally, I just came out with "Those are W & M, right?"  Well, of course they were! These delicate silver flowers go with anything, and make a great gift!


Louisville Stoneware Garden Boot Birdhouse
This gorgeous piece combines so many of my very favorite things: Wellies, Louisville Stoneware, and Kentucky-based celebrity gardener Jon Carloftis. It would be a fantastic keepsake for a Stoneware collector or garden lover!

Elva Fields Luck Abounds Necklace

I just cannot stop staring at this necklace. How perfect is it for a day at the track, a Derby party or, you know, anywhere?  Another thoughtfully-constructed, vintage-inspired piece from Kentucky's own Elva Fields jewelry.

A Bourbon Women Membership

If you really love her, say it with bourbon. Membership in the Bourbon Women association is a great opportunity for professional networking, and a unique chance to learn all about Kentucky's signature spirit.

Kentucky Cutting Board


This cutting board from Two Chicks & Co is a great way to display your Bluegrass pride! Wouldn't this make the most darling cheese tray ever?






Seven Great Kentucky T-Shirts

This is the week of HerKentucky Valentine's Day wish lists. Monday, we showed you a few items the guy on your list is sure to love. Tomorrow, we'll share our top pics for women. Today's list previews gifts any Kentuckian is sure to love: t-shirts.  I mean, who doesn't love t-shirts? You can wear them. You can sleep in 'em. You can even make a quilt out of them. Here are a few great ones that proudly display your love of the Commonwealth.

Louisville Love Letter from Why Louisville

"Dear Louisville, I Love You."  Perfect. Available at whylouisville.com or at the Why Louisville stores.


Y'ALL from Kentucky for Kentucky

Great for all of us who can't even try to disguise our accents. Available at Kentucky for Kentucky.


"I Wanna Go Home" from Sundy Best
My hometown's favorite band. This shirt is awesome, even if you haven't yet fallen in love with Sundy Best's down-home rock.


The Crafty Tee from River City Craft Wear

What a great nod to local craft beers! Get it here.


Welcome to Lex Vegas from Etsy Seller Bifftees
I think there's an argument to be made that what happens in Lex Vegas definitely doesn't stay in Lex Vegas. Still, this t-shirt is great.


Keeneland Dress Code from Southern Proper 

I love these! The perennial prep retailer Southern Proper has teamed with the Keeneland Gift Shop for these adorable shirts that bring you his and her "Dress Codes" for the track.



If you're still looking for the perfect t-shirt to express your Bluegrass State style, visit Louisville-based CafePress to create your own!

Disclosure: HerKentucky is an advertising affiliate for CafePress. All style selections are our own.


Lexington Fall Visitors Ideas

In a little over a week, I have friends from out of state coming in town for the Tough Mudder in Maysville. They're staying with me in Lexington, and I have a very short amount of time to convince them how amazing this city is. Here are some of my initial ideas. Consider using them if you're trying to entertain guests this fall!

Keeneland

I mean, you know that'd be the first thing on anyone's list, right? Thankfully, the Fall Meet runs through October 26th on all days except Monday and Tuesday. First race post time is 1:05 pm daily.

Kelley Farms Corn Maze

photo credit: Kelley Farms

This year's corn maze at Kelley Farms just out Old Richmond Road in Lexington is a tribute to R.J. Corman. Corman was a Nicholasville native and backhoe operator turned railway magnate. He passed earlier this year, and this is a great tribute. Kelley Farms has the corn maze, goats, hayrides, yummy festival food, pumpkins, and more. The farm is open through October 26th. Hours and prices are on their website.

Ghost Tour at Buffalo Trace Distillery
photo credit: Buffalo Trace Distillery

Going on a tour of at least one distillery is a must-do for visitors and residents alike, but seasonally appropriate is the Ghost Tour at Buffalo Trace. These night time tours are equal parts spooky and interesting. The tours run Thurs-Sat at 7pm, and last 1 hour. Reservations must be made well in advance.

Food

photo credit: Shakespeare & Company

As much as I love my friends, I don't like cooking 3 meals a day for groups. A list of non-chain restaurants is always handy in these occasions. Maybe we'll stop by Nick Ryan's Saloon for The Stirrup Cup Hot Brown plus a little flavor of downtown. Or we could head to my favorite place for southern diner food plus a piece of Missy's Pies: Ramesy's. For a completely different environment, we might go to Shakespeare & Company (photo above) downtown. And if we want some of the best brunch around, a trip to Winchell's on Southland Drive will be on the agenda. Elvis Pancakes, perhaps?

What other fun visitors ideas do you have?
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