It’s time for another Tampa Tuesday post! As stated when I started these, not all posts would be specifically about Tampa, but would include things I do and experience in the surrounding areas. Today is one of those days, as I talk to you about a special Cabot Cheese event I attended in Orlando a couple of weeks ago. When I arrived at the beautiful East End Market in Orlando and headed upstairs to the APEX room, I was greeted and immediately pointed towards a delicious looking create your own parfait bar, Olde Hearth Bread Company muffins, Lineage Coffee Roasting coffee, Divine Chocolate, Florida Milk, and all the Cabot cheese I could eat. Yes please!
We ate breakfast, got to know each other, and just had a nice relaxing few minutes to hang out before we were introduced to some of the Cabot team.
One of my favorite things we discussed was the department of gratitude. Did you know that Cabot uses reward programs to thank those that do goof. You can log your volunteer time for different events . It’s pretty cool!
We then got to meet our awesome demo chef for the day, Jimmy. I particularly liked him because he grew up in Mississippi. We all huddled into the kitchen and watched him make some delicious food! First up was cornbread. Now we are speaking my language! This southern girl was fascinated by the fact he put sweet potatoes in the cornbread! Of course we all got to taste before moving on to the next thing.
Anyone who knows me well knows that mac and cheese is one of my favorite things ever. This one definitely did not disappoint. You can check out the recipe here.
Jimmy also showed us how to make taco shells out of cheese. I will for sure be trying this out. They were so easy to do and delicious. I may have eaten a shell by itself. Don’t judge me.
After all the cooking (well, Jimmy cooking!) we did a little self care with Candace. She talked to us about stretching, and taking time for ourselves. She knows we are on the computer a lot as bloggers, and we need to MOVE! So we did just that with these fun drumsticks. Candace is so passionate about healthy living, it was fun to hear a like minded fitness lover talk to us!
Soon it was time for lunch, which was such a treat. As if we hadn’t eaten enough already, we were brought outside to enjoy the courtyard and beautifully decorated tables.
I may have found a new favorite thing: Lemonade with lavender. It was so light and refreshing, I may have had two glasses.
The rest of the food did not disappoint either, and hit the spot! We had grilled cheese sandwiches by La Femme du Fromage made with Cabot cheese of course, Houndstooth Sauce Company’s tomato basil soup, salad with apple slices, and the Skyebird lavender lemonade.
We even were “treated” to an adorable and rich dessert from Gideon’s Bakehouse: Pistachio Toffee Dark Chocolate cookies. So amazing. Then we headed back inside for our competition.
My friends know I am one of the most competitive people alive, and so of course this was no exception. We were divided into teams (my team was called “seriously sharp”,) and given a basket full of goodies and told to create a cheeseboard. The best board would win a prize, so we went straight to work. (We only had 30 minutes!) We decided on a Valentine’s Day theme and just kind of went with it. I may or may not have used my fingernails to cut out hearts from cheese. It was totally worth it, because…we won! Isn’t our board beautiful?!?
The winning team with Candace.
We all said our goodbyes and were given a great goody bag (as well as one to pass on to someone else). It was overall a great day, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to learn more about Cabot, meet amazing bloggers, and just generally connect with more people in my new state. A huge thank you to Cabot, Isabel and Sunday Supper, and everyone else who helped with the event!
Cabot, being so generous, offered to host a giveaway on my blog! One lucky reader will receive this box as seen below. This is their legacy gift box, and it’s amazing! To enter, please follow the instructions below. Winner will be selected Monday March 20th and announced on the blog next Tuesday. Good luck!
Cabot actually had a booth at a race I just did (BDR – Orlando). It was yummy! I liked the New York Extra Sharp.
The jalapeno light cheddar sound good but my favorite cheese is pepper jack.
i love sharp cheddar cheese! i want to try their extra sharp cheddar!!
The seriously sharp is so good!
I’d like to try the extra sharp cheddar 1st!
So glad you could attend this tasty event with us! I’m still dreaming of those taco shells – they were so so good!
What a fun event! I’d like to learn more about those taco shells made of cheese and i’ve been wanting to try a drink with lavender. I’ve heard of lavender ice cream but have not tried that either. I’d be up for trying any kind of cheese as long as it’s not extremely hot! (like peppery)
I love Cabot cheeses! I would love the gift box. Thanks for all of your work on your awesome blog 🙂
LOVE Cabot! I did an event with them in Tampa and everything was superb!
I love the extra sharp cheddar cheese. Nom! Okay
Pepperjack
I’ve honestly never tried their cheese. This post makes me want to!
Love the extra sharp especially!
I am a sharp cheddar cheese kind of girl, although I heard a rumor that they have buffalo wing cheddar?! YUM!
I am a fan of the spicier options like Pepperjack and Habanero! 🙂
i love the extra sharp cheddar
We like the Medium Yellow Cheddar Cheese.
I love all their cheeses in general, but New York Extra Sharp is my Favorite, plus I love the jalepeno for a little kick! You can never go wrong with cheese!
I have always liked the Extra Sharp Cheddar.
I’m a huge fan of anything cheddar. The sharper the better.
It all looks so delicious! I love tomato basil cheddar cheese. Delicious!
I LOVE Cabot cheese, their aged white cheddar is my favorite!!
I grew up in Vermont, Cabot Cheese is life! We make mac & cheese and use the seriously sharp, but we double the cheese and add dry mustard to pull out the tang. It’s amazing!
I love all of the Cabot cheeses, but my favorite is probably the Seriously Sharp!
I love cheese … White Cheddar cheese is the BEST! I would LOVE to use white cheddar cheese in mac n cheese
My favorite Cabot cheese is the Vermont Cheddar.
I really like the Garlic & Herb Cheddar Cheese Deli Bar
I just love the extra sharp cheese. I buy it all the time.
My favorite Cabot cheese flavor is the sharp light cheddar cheese.
Colby Jack Cheese is my favorite.
My favorite is their chipotle cheddar variety.
Colby Jack cheese would be my favorite.