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Kohler Food and Wine and the Best Carrot Martini You Will Ever Try

November 10, 2014 by hipfoodiemom 25 Comments

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The American Club

I think anytime you visit a new city or place, you’re usually pleasantly surprised by some little gems and local spots that you find. Upon moving to Wisconsin, I knew about the weather, Madison, the university, the Farmers Market and all the glorious cheese. I would soon learn about the fabulous food scene here, restaurants owning farm-to-table, Door County, Devils Lake State Park and most recently, Kohler, Wisconsin and The American Club.

When you think of Wisconsin, you might not think luxury. You might not think getaway or destination. Well, it looks like I discovered Kohler, Wisconsin and The American Club just in time. The American Club is a luxury spa and resort located in Kohler, Wisconsin. It is owned and operated by the Kohler Company and has received various awards, including the Top 100 Golf Resorts by Conde Nast Traveler magazine, and is the Midwest’s only AAA Five Diamond Resort Hotel.

The American Club Lobby2

The American Club Lobby

Recently, I attended the Kohler Food and Wine Experience, a 4-day extravaganza of food, wine and fun, and had the great honor of also staying at The American Club. As soon as we arrived, I was blown away by the customer service and attention to detail. I have never stayed at a hotel or resort like this. After checking in, we were escorted to our room by the front desk employee and learned a little bit of history about The American Club, which was built in 1918 to house the Kohler Company’s immigrant workers at the time.

Guest Room at The American Club

Upon checking in and entering our room, we were given a huge (and heavy) gift bag and found some lovely and delicious chocolates in our room. Now, obviously, if the resort is owned and operated by the Kohler Company, you know the rooms and the bathrooms are nice. To call them “nice” is an understatement. I truly felt like I was staying in luxury and just absolute innovation and comfort in the bathrooms.

side by side bathroom

I didn’t want to leave the bathroom you guys. Everything was amazing.

Bathtub_use

This was the coolest shower ever. It was hard not to take an hour long shower.

Shower

I was able to bring a guest with me for the weekend and, because it was my birthday weekend, my awesome husband let me take one of my girlfriends, Rina, so we could have fun and enjoy Kohler and the Food and Wine Experience.

The Carrot 43 Martini

The first evening, we attended a welcome reception, where we tried this fabulous martini, The Carrot 43. Significance of 43…It took 43 tries to get it right! This delicious martini was created by a team at the Forbes Four-Star Immigrant Restaurant & Winery Bar, located in The American Club. You guys, this martini was so good. I had two but would have definitely had a third if I had time. We had to leave to go to dinner at the Immigrant Restaurant. (I am sharing this fabulous recipe with you all down below! You have to try this martini!)

Dinner was absolutely fabulous and I have to go back to Kohler just to eat at The Immigrant Restaurant again.

Kohler Food and Wine Main Stage

Friday started with cooking demonstrations, a Cabernet and Beef Academy tasting, a knife skills 101 class and much more. There were so many different sessions going on (and some at the same time), so I was not able to attend all of them.  All of the main cooking demonstrations took place on the Stella Artois Main Stage. Oh and by the way, there was a Stella Artois tent right next door the entire weekend serving all the beer you could drink, including their delicious Cidre, made with hand picked apples.

Me and Graham Elliot

The first cooking demo in the main stage was Graham Elliot, of Graham Elliot Bistro in Chicago. Graham was hilarious and entertaining and it was so fun to watch him in action. I personally haven’t dined at his restaurant but I’m going to the next time I’m in Chicago for sure!

Me and Christopher

Next up was one of my absolute faves: America’s Test Kitchen. Christopher, Jack and Bridget cooked up the ultimate comfort foods and shared their Best Chicken Stew and Chewy Brownies recipes. Both were absolutely fabulous you guys ..  and if you want the chicken stew recipe, click here!

Americas Test Kitchen

My Friday high continued as Geoffrey Zakarian floated on stage to “Fly Me to The Moon” by Frank Sinatra. One of my favorite songs! GZ knows how to keep an audience entertained. He had the attention of every person under that tent. He was magical and delightful.

Chef GZ

Friday night, we attended a party, Taste of the Vine, in the beautiful Kohler Design Center. There was food and over 40+ different brands of wine to sample. Here’s me and Jocelyn at table #1.

Me and Jocelyn

Taste of the Vine Kohler Design Center

The design center was so cool. .  with . . you guessed it, toilets and bath tubs everywhere. How could I not get in one?!

Kohler Design Center

Me in the tub

Saturday was another jam packed, wonderful day ..  the highlight? Seeing GZ do another cooking demo and being able to sit and chat with him for 30 minutes with other media reps. He does so much, just wrote a cookbook, My Perfect Pantry, and has a ton of other stuff in the works. He is the man to follow.

Interview with GZ

And the guy’s got mad style. Just look at him.

Me and Geoffrey Zakarian

Saturday ended with a fabulous dinner at Blackwolf Run, which is just a hop, skip and a jump away from The American Club. I had the butter roasted lobster tail . . divine!! I was so impressed with all of the restaurants in Kohler. The entire weekend was truly a culinary delight for me.

And I can’t wait until they announce the line-up for next year’s Kohler Food and Wine Experience!! Save The Date: October 24-27, 2015!!!

spa

The weekend ended with a complimentary spa treatment (on my birthday!) at the beautiful Kohler Waters Spa, where I got to relax and have a 90 minute detox massage. Believe me when I say, I did not want it to end. Kohler, WI is the most charming place I have ever visited and I’m so glad I know about this beautiful resort as we head into winter.

Are you looking for a getaway this holiday season? First class accommodations, a five-star hydrotherapy focused spa, outdoor adventure, shopping and fine dining? What more could you need? If you’re in the Midwest ..  heck, if you’re looking to getaway period this holiday season. Look no further. You have to check out Destination Kohler.

And as promised, here is the martini that everyone needs to try.

The American Club's Carrot 43 Martini
Photo credit: The Kohler Company

Print Recipe

The Carrot 43 Martini

Inspiration: From a desire to use carrot juice in a cocktail it made sense to run it alongside the floral botanicals in Hendrick's Gin and fresh orange juice. It has a lively color as well as texture and structure. This is the most popular and innovative cocktail on the menu!
Course: Cocktail
Author: Kohler Co.

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ oz Hendricks Gin
  • ¾ oz Cointreau
  • 1 oz Fresh Orange Juice
  • ½ oz Fresh Carrot Juice
  • ½ oz Fresh Lemon Juice
  • ½ oz Simple Syrup
  • Garnish: Fresh Sliced Cucumber

Instructions

  • Shake all the ingredients together in a martini shaker and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a fresh sliced cucumber and enjoy!

 

A huge thank you to the Kohler Company and The American Club for sponsoring this trip. This was the media trip of a lifetime and I was honored to be a part of it. And, as always, all opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

 

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Comments

  1. annie@ciaochowbambina says

    November 10, 2014 at 5:46 am

    Thank you for a wonderful post. You took your reader on this journey with you and what a lovely jam- packed experience it was! And that martini…icing on the cake! Nice!

    Reply
  2. Jeanette|Jeanette's+Healthy+Living says

    November 10, 2014 at 6:48 am

    What an awesome trip! Love seeing all the celebs you met!

    Reply
  3. Shashi+@+runninsrilankan says

    November 10, 2014 at 10:05 am

    Wow – what am amazing 4 days you had! Great recap and your room and bath looked so luxurious!!

    Reply
  4. Shashi runninsrilankan says

    November 10, 2014 at 10:06 am

    Wow – what am amazing 4 days you had! Great recap and your room and bath looked so luxurious…

    Reply
  5. Runninsrilankan says

    November 10, 2014 at 10:07 am

    Wow! what am amazing 4 days you had! Great recap and your room and bath looked so luxurious…

    Reply
  6. Runninsrilankan says

    November 10, 2014 at 10:09 am

    Wow! what am amazing 4 days you had!! Great recap and your room and bath looked so luxurious…

    Reply
  7. Lindsey+@+American+Heritage+Cooking says

    November 10, 2014 at 11:09 am

    This cocktail sounds almost as amazing as your weekend!! What a fabulous event! And carrot in a martini? Who would have thought that could sound so delicious!

    Reply
  8. Lisa+@+Healthy+Nibbles+&+Bits says

    November 10, 2014 at 11:28 am

    Oh my gosh, that hotel looks amazing, but that shower!! Looks like you had an awesome weekend, and I love that sweater you wore in that photo with GZ. He’s amazing!

    Reply
  9. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says

    November 10, 2014 at 11:30 am

    Sounds like you had an amazing time! I loved seeing all of those pictures! And this carrot martini sounds incredible! What a fun flavor!

    Reply
  10. Amy | Club Narwhal says

    November 10, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    THAT SHOWER!!!!! And everything else (love those tufted sofas). Looks like an amazing weekend with lovely people and food 🙂

    Reply
  11. Zainab says

    November 10, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    Oh my gosh! My year is made just reading this and knowing you met all these cool folks. I HAVE to try this martini!!

    Reply
  12. Linda+|Brunch+with+Joy says

    November 10, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    OMG Alice, I’m dying to come there next year. All your pictures look fantastic and the bathroom is to die for!

    Reply
  13. Kelly says

    November 10, 2014 at 1:43 pm

    Wow! What an amazing trip! Love seeing all these wonderful photos – the hotel was stunning and so luxurious and that photo of you in the tub is super adorable 🙂 You looked gorgeous with all the celebs too, so glad you had such an incredible experience and this martini looks just as elegant as your trip 🙂

    Reply
  14. Ashley+|+Spoonful+of+Flavor says

    November 10, 2014 at 1:46 pm

    What a fun event and a beautiful location! I am so jealous that you got to meet Chris from America’s Test Kitchen. Now I really want to try that martini!

    Reply
  15. Liz says

    November 10, 2014 at 7:17 pm

    What a trip!! I loved the Kohler show room when we visited…and the restaurant. Now I’m dying to stay at their hotel. SO swanky.

    Reply
  16. Maria|Pink+Patisserie says

    November 11, 2014 at 8:11 am

    What an amazing experience for you Alice, and on your birthday weekend! I am in complete agreement with you about that bathroom. I would never, ever leave. I adore cocktails of all kinds so will definitely have to give that one a go!

    Reply
  17. Min says

    November 11, 2014 at 8:37 am

    Wow! What an exciting, memorable experience you had!! The hotel looks absolutely amazing, and I esp love the picture of you in the tub haha.

    Reply
  18. Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps says

    November 11, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    Oh my GOSH! What an amazing experience!!! Dying over here!

    Reply
  19. Amanda says

    November 11, 2014 at 6:53 pm

    WOW!!!

    Reply
  20. Jocelyn+(Grandbaby+cakes) says

    November 11, 2014 at 8:46 pm

    Seriously I want to go back! And now! The American Club is absolute perfection and I plan on retiring there my friend.

    Reply
  21. Nancy+@+gottagetbaked says

    November 13, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    What an incredible experience, Alice! I was squealing with delight for you when I saw all of your photos on Instagram and Facebook that weekend. And while every part of it was fabulous (I mean, look at all the amazing people you got to meet) I’m DYING over the shower in your hotel room. What I wouldn’t give to have that in my washroom, lol. You looked fabulous all weekend too – I want to steal your wardrobe, especially that smokin’ hot blue dress 😉

    Reply
  22. Melanie+|+Melanie+Makes says

    November 23, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    Talk about the best weekend ever – loved hearing everything you were able to do and reliving it with you!

    Reply
  23. Nora+(A+Clean+Bake) says

    December 22, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    This weekend looks like a dream. Kohler/The American Club is one of my favorite places on earth (and, yes, I’m with you in that I was surprised how elegant and luxurious it was….poor Wisconsin really gets shortchanged!) and the food there is nothing short of spectacular on a regular night so I can’t imagine the experience you had at this festival! It looks like an absolute blast.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Pumpkin Apple Tart - Hip Foodie Mom says:
    October 12, 2015 at 12:00 am

    […] chefs that will be there too: Christopher Kimball is coming back (I had the honor of meeting him last year as well), Mindy Segal, Jeff Mauro (do you guys watch The Kitchen on The Food Network? I love this […]

    Reply
  2. 25 Cocktails for New Years Eve - Hip Foodie Mom says:
    December 30, 2015 at 12:02 am

    […] Carrot 43 Martini from The American Club and The Kohler Company (featured above with permission) […]

    Reply

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Meet Alice

Alice Choi from Hip Foodie MomHello! My name is Alice. Here, at Hip Foodie Mom, you will find fresh food recipes using local, seasonal ingredients. From meat dishes to vegetarian to Asian inspired dishes, you are sure to find something you like. Thank you for stopping by!

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