My One Percent

Last week I was lucky enough to have the company I work for fly me out to Scottsdale, AZ to experience a catering convention hosted by NACE. Each day there were classes, presentations, speakers and food, oh the food, for us to enjoy and learn the latest catering trends from around the world.

One of the speakers I was fortunate enough to experience was the amazing author Jackie Huba. She is a huge advocate for Lady Gaga and what she stands for and it was clear that during her presentation that Lady Gaga is one of Jackie's "One Percent". What is this 1% thing? Well, during Jackie's presentation she spoke about the difference of marketing towards your current customers and people whom are not yet your customer. She explained that it is cheaper to "wow" your current customers and let them advertise/market for you by word of mouth rather than go out and find new customers and offer them the better intro pricing or service. 

As we know major companies like Time Warner Cable or Verizon Wireless (two of my LEAST favorite companies EVER) are huge into getting new customers by offering these amazing introductory deals. But what about the current customers? The loyal ones who pay each and every month only to continue to pay a higher rate and get less than the new customers are getting. Now, I can't tell you how many times we have gone back and forth with said companies questioning why the new customers get these offerings, but we don't! I feel like we have all been there. Jackie explained that every company has a 1%. These are the die-hards. The people who will do anything for you if you ask. They market for you without even knowing by word of mouth. You are always their go-to when they are in need of your product or service, no questions asked. Jackie explained her die hard is the Pittsburgh Steelers. She then went to the audience and asked what our 1% is. What are we crazy about? What is our thing? I instantly got that panic feeling in my stomach. Please don't call on me. I had no idea what my 1% was.

Dia De Los Muertos Party with Jackie Huba

Later that afternoon I realized how upset I was with the fact that I did not have a 1%. I didn't like that I wasn't THAT passionate about something. Am I just going day by day without really having that thing I am living for? Obviously my family and friends, but what do I enjoy? What is my end all, be all? 

Colin Cowie & Myself at the conference.

Eight pairs of shoes later in two weeks and it hit me. Shoes. Shoes are my 1%. I cannot get enough. Heels, wedges, sandals, flats, flip flops. Every. Single. One. I love shoes! Okay, so I know you're thinking...really? Are we really reading a blog about shoes? No. No, you're not. Not only did I realize my 1% is shoes, it is also food. I realized that the kitchen is my happy place. Cooking for my family and friends is what I enjoy. It is what I love and what I want to do forever. I found a job at a catering company to be around what I love. Not only do we have the best catering in the triangle, but we get to eat the food each and every day. I got to go to catering conference across the country in order to find my niche and realize this is where I belong. Sharing my favorite food and recipes with you all.

Eating. Cooking. Sharing. This is what I love.

8 said pairs of shoes.

So, stick around and you'll get to enjoy some delicious recipes and maybe even a few shoe pictures just for safe measure.

xoxo

Nicole

Superbowl Bean Dip in a Pinch

It's Superbowl Sunday, friends!

Who are you rooting for? Or are you there for all of the fabulous snacks? ;-)

Today I've got a super simple recipe for you to add to your go-to, fail proof recipe repertoire. You know those recipes that are just ridiculously easy to make and you keep going back to it over and over again because of it's simplicity? Well that's what I'm talking about today. I've got a crowd pleasing, ultra cheesy bean dip for you to throw together in a sinch for your party tonight! Seriously, it's that easy. It will take about 5 minutes of assembly and about 30 minutes to bake. Pop that sucker into the oven before your guests are set to arrive and right when that doorbell rings, you'll have the perfect dip to pull warm from the oven and serve up with some crunchy tortilla chips. I'm sure you've already got those on hand!

Listed I have all of the full fat/full calorie ingredients, but this is the perfect recipe to swap regular ingredients out for the reduced fat/fat free/low calorie options!

Give this recipe a try!

Superbowl Bean Dip
print the recipe here

1 can of refried beans (Our favorite is the Rosarita No Fat Traditional Refried Beans)
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese, softened
1 can of chili with beans
1/4 t. cumin
1/4 t. chili powder
1.5 c. cheese blend such as cheddar and monterey jack or Mexican blend
Bag of tortilla chips
Optional toppings for serving

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a casserole dish with cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, stir the refried beans and cream cheese until combined.
3. Spread the bean and cheese mixture onto the bottom of the casserole dish in a single layer.
4. Pour the can of chili beans on top of the bean and cheese mixture and spread into an even layer.
5. Sprinkle the top with cumin and chili powder.
6. Top with cheese blend mixture.
7. Bake, uncovered for 25-35 minutes or until the sides are slightly bubbly and the cheese is golden.
8. Serve with additional optional toppings such as chopped jalapenos, cilantro and sour cream.
9. Enjoy with tortilla chips!

Apple Cheesecake Tart

We officially had snow last night! Now, I didn't actually get to see it, but apparently we had a few snow flurries in the wee hours of the morning. Can't say I am sad I missed it ;-).

Now that work has slowed down I am trying to get in the kitchen a lot more and whip up some new treats to share on the blog. This recipe came to me while I was working on the computer and all of a sudden it hit me and I had to make this recipe right that second! It turned out so perfect, too. It is light, but chewy and sweet from the baked apples. The melted sugar forms an amazing syrup that melts all through the tart. My favorite part is getting a bite of the creamy cheesecake base that is softened and melted into an ultra decadent and creamy layer between the apples and the flaky tart.