ACFW Conference 2016 - A Taste Sensation

Hard to believe, but ACFW 2016 is now in the history books. And this time, we have to wait more than a year before we come together again, so savoring the memories is extra important. 

Of course, there was one conference highlight that will not be forgotten anytime soon.

I got to hang with Ruthy!!!! Not near as long as I would have liked to, but still. She is so sweet, so cute and definitely related to the Energizer Buddy.

Another highlight was the Love Inspired dinner on Friday evening. Thirty of us eating, talking, laughing, eating...

What a blast.

And the food? Amazing. Absolutely amazing and very Nashville.

Pimento Croustade.

Pulled Pork Red Potato Skins.

Shrimp and Grit Cakes.

Smoked Chicken Cheddar Biscuits.

Smoked Trout Salad with Fried Green Tomatoes.

Throw in some Catfish Tacos and we're talking down-home goodness with class.

Even the water was pretty.

And the desserts.

Oh, my stars. 

Banana Pudding with Smoked Salted Caramel and Marshmallow Meringue AND Music City Mud Pie with Warm Whisper Cream Caramel.

Of course, no one ever leaves an ACFW Conference hungry and Saturday night's gala is always the high point of our feeding frenzy.

We started with a Green Salad with baby tomato, cucumber, radish, goat cheese, carrot, toasted brioche croutons and an herbed buttermilk dressing.

Followed by an entree of Harissa Spiced Grilled Beef Tenderloin Medallion and Turmeric Roasted Chicken, Cauliflower puree, Baby Squash and Tomato, Toasted Barley Potato Hash and a Black Raisin Shiraz Reduction. 

But the dessert?

Be still my heart.

White Chocolate Bombe, Red Velvet Cake, Whisper Creek Tennessee Sipping Cream. I'm not sure what sipping cream is, but those crumbles are candied nuts, either pistachio or hazelnut. Regardless, they were delicious. And the combination of everything in one bite?

Divine.

I mean, just look at the inside. 

So smooth and creamy.

Sigh.

Oh, I almost forgot this.

Even the butter took on a Music City flare.

So now it's back to reality. Back to smoothies and tuna. Back to laundry and dishes. But I've returned with a renewed vigor and a quenched spirit. And isn't that what conference is all about?

Were you at ACFW 2016? 

If so, we want to hear about your conference experience?

Mindy Obenhaus lives in Texas with her husband and kids. She's passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Learn more at www.MindyObenhaus.com.

Holding Down the Fort

So I guess I'm holding down the fort today while half the staff scurries off to Nashville.

As Jan and I were discussing, I had to replace my refrigerator which has made cooking anything unusual a bit of a challenge. Our food is divided between two neighbors.

So instead, I thought I'd share a few songs from one of my favorite TV shows - Nashville, and a few ideas for what to eat while you're in Nashville. That way the rest of us can pretend/dream we're there.


I really like this song. It inspired one of my characters. I Will Never Let You Know.

This one is full of angst, but it's great for getting into a dark character.

Then there's this one from the (almost) series finale.  Love You Home

When I first heard it, I wasn't overwhelmed with love, but it's grown to  be one of my favorites.

One last one - the song I play when writing Dylan and Grace's story. I Know How to Love You Now.

Okay, we've got the music background, let's talk food!

I've never been to ACFW, but my conference experience usually includes very little time outside the hotel. So we may find out more about Nashville food than the conference attendees.


On Nashville, the hot spot to spend time listening to music is The Bluebird Cafe. Apparently the show's success has meant a huge line waiting to get in to The Bluebird.

I thought this video was hilarious. Have any of you ever had to do online queuing?

Arnold's Country Kitchen is listed as favorite -  a real family restaurant.

Their website says: 
We've been serving up home-cooked "Meat & 3" here in Nashville for more than 30 years - and we look forward to serving you.
 You an actually watch a video about the history of the restaurant with lots of food.



"Sorry, grandma", the "memorable" mains and "down-home" sides at this "legendary" Gulch Southerner add up to the "best damn meat and three on the planet", and "cafeteria-style lines" "sneaking out...

here's no better place to sample a wide array of Southern fried goodness than at 34-year-old Nashville institution Arnold's Country Kitchen 








 If you'd prefer something more upscale, say for after the CAROL Awards, how about southern food from a James Beard award-winning restaurant in an old mansion?

According to Chef Brock, “If it doesn’t come from the South, it’s not coming through the door.”


HUSK

Perhaps you'd like some Deviled Eggs with Pickled Okra?


They also serve lowcountry cuisine in a beautiful mansion in Charleston!



According to Eater Nashville, the hottest restaurant in Nashville is The Treehouse Restaurant. They have their own organic farm 50 miles from Nashville.

 The remaining nine are:
Butcher & Bee  - it started with sandwiches
Bajo Sexto Taco Lounge (Oaxacan dishes and Mexican with a twist)
Salt & Vine
Bastion
Old Glory - this one is in a boiler room in an old industrial space
Five Daughters Bakery - can we say 100 layer donuts!!!!!
Vui's Kitchen - If you've had enough southern cooking, how about some Vietnamese?


If you ask Southern Living, Arnold's tops the list.

MacK & Kates Café & Wine Bar or Macke’s Restaurant (named for the owners' daughters)

How about a Speakeasy Hangout - Patterson  House. Southern Living says - "The 30-stool bar retains a hush-hush, Gatsby-and-Governor sophistication, and savvy bartenders stir and shake in Capone-era getups."


Supposedly a Legend - Prince's Hot Chicken - chicken cooked to order

I Dream of Weenie - come get your hotdogs from a vintage yellow Volkswagon bus!

And finally Margot/Marche´ - sunny eggs and sausage polenta with a pomegranate mimosa


So, by now, you're either feeling stuffed or you're drooling. I'm wishing more than ever that I was there.

But we saved a dog's life this year so no conference for me.

But he's worth it, don't you think?

Have you been to Nashville? Is there someplace that I've missed?