Family. Tradition. Hospitality. Genuine joy. These are just a few of the things I took away from the first (annual?) Better Homes and Gardens Cooking Experience.
The other things I brought home with me, were sage advice from BHG Senior Deputy Food and Entertaining Editor, Nancy Hopkins, that “tonight’s party dress, can be tomorrows table runner!” and adding a bit of “bling” to every table is a good thing!
As a long time fan of Better Homes and Gardens magazine, I was beyond excited to read BHG was opening the doors of its famous Test Kitchens and hosting a two-day cooking event at their headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa! My grandparents grew up in Rock Rapids, Iowa. I’ve never been to that part of the country, so for me, the trip had multiple meanings. Not only was I going to get a sneak peek behind the scenes at one of my favorite magazines, but I was also going to get a glimpse of where my family came from! That made traveling to the event even more special.
Side Note: Did you know Iowa has seasons? Just look at these gorgeous red trees! The nice people I met were very patient with my California Girl excitement over colored leaves.
While it’s true, I was very excited about the beautiful fall colors, I was equally excited about learning new things and meeting new people! Upon arrival Friday afternoon at the Meredith Corporation Headquarters, we were warmly welcomed by BHG editors, and given gift bags! (which were INCREDIBLE!)
Then, we were taken on a tour of the BHG Test Gardens. Can I just tell you, if I worked at Meredith, I’d have lunch in their Test Garden every single day. Well, maybe not when it snowed. Actually, probably when it was snowing too! Where I live, we don’t get snow either, so I’d be out taking pictures while the people who know better would be shaking their heads at me from inside the warm building! But I’ve gotten off topic again! (Real seasons do that to me!) Let me show you the Gardens!
Stunning, right? That’s just a small portion of the Gardens. There is a beautiful fountain in the center surrounded by tables and chairs (where I would eat my lunch in the snow – HA!) and several quiet little spots all carefully tended by BHG Test Gardeners!
For more info on the Gardens themselves, check out this link: Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden
After our tour of the Gardens, we went “Behind the Scenes” and toured the photo studios, prop closets, video rooms, set areas, wood shops and more! Here’s just a tiny glimpse:
In the hallways of the original building you’ll find a gorgeous timeline of Meredith Corporation. They show the history of when each magazine and cookbook was first published. It was neat to see! Did you know Meredith Corporation publishes over 100 different magazines? Amazing!
The food styling area, with BHG food stylists hard at work!
As a food blogger, I had a serious case of prop envy…
I sent my husband the above picture of all the plates. He feels better now about the small stack of prop plates I have in our kitchen!
Many of the things we saw we couldn’t photograph because they were working on future editions of different magazines and other future projects. While I can’t let the cat out of the bag, but there are some awesome articles on the horizon at BHG! (Like this is news, right? They always do amazing things!)
After the tours, we went back to our hotel before returning for a Holiday Inspired Welcome Reception! This time we were in the new building at Meredith and they had decorated everything for Christmas! Lots of beautiful bling, gorgeous white trees donated by Walmart, and plenty of delicious munchies! If only I’d gotten that recipe for their Holiday Sangria. It was fabulous!
And that was just the FIRST day! Whew! Come back tomorrow to read more about my second day in Iowa at the Better Homes and Gardens Cooking Experience! You’re going to love it!!
Or better yet, just click this link to check out the first part of Day Two (Breakfast to Lunch)
And click here: Day Two – a Delicious Conclusion for the rest!
I’m excited to hear the rest of the story, and still in a huff that you didn’t tell me you were going to the event so that I had time to save up and go with you ;)
Thanks Becca! I know, we were so close and yet so far away. Chicago in June???