What do you do when 30 loaves of bread arrive at your doorstep?
Eat it!
No, really, Pablo and Lynda, owners of Great Harvest Warrenton (our closest neighbors) brought us bread to give in gift baskets around the community to announce that Great Harvest is coming to Cville!
I had postcards printed that introduce GH and Matt and me to the community
Of course we saved a loaf or two for ourselves 
We took Pablo and Lynda out to see our bakery location (demo has begun!) and Mike (the CEO!) and Karen joined us for dinner. Mike is in town speaking at the UVA biz school. We always like to feed him when he passes through!
I slurped down a small pour of Matt’s Dubbel during cocktail hour
And we opened some Virginia wine with dinner
We served a recipe out of the Happy Herbivore’s new cookbook!
Lindsay sent me a copy to have and the Hawaiian Chickpea Teriyaki on page 127 seemed like a great use of the pineapple, scratch-made garbanzos and cilantro I had on hand. Also easy for a crowd!
The recipe was fantastic! I can’t share the details – cause I would be cheating on the cookbook – but it was super simple and easy and tasted great.
We also of course had bread (Cheddar Garlic!)
I think this was the best part of the meal 
And I made a green salad that was simply pecans, crumbled stilton and a drizzle of olive oil and Black Cherry Balsamic dressing, salt and pepper.
Karen put the icing on the pie with her famous Pecan Pie
Which was smashing, per usual!
Mid-week dinner parties are fun!
I am now drinking some more of our beery bubbles and am hoping to be in bed within the next 20 minutes!
{ 74 comments… read them below or add one }
thats so exciting to have started work on your bakery! congratulations! Those chickpeas look AMAZING!
What a fun dinner party!
That’s a lot of bread! I wish I was a business in Charlottesville so I can get a loaf
That looks like the best pecan pie I’ve ever seen. So gooey.
Ohmyword!! That is so completely exciting about delivering bread around the community and having demo start on your store!!! Everything about your dinner looks superb. Especially that bread!!
Wow — that’s a lot of great bread. What fun! Mike seems like a really cool CEO, nice and casual, not what one would expect from a CEO
Wow sounds like a big day! I love those little postcards you are handing out – sooo cute!! Also, that pineapple and chickpea dish sounds amazing. Love the idea.
Looks like a fantastic vegan entree! I didn’t know happy herbivore had a new cookbook. Must.find.it!
Bread and Happy Herbivore deliciousness = my kind of evening! Send me a basket full of loaves?
Congratulations! Can’t wait till the bakery is done!
That pecan pie looks amazing! And your dinner… I can’t get over it! Have a great evening!
Cute postcards! How exciting that demo has begun already…yay!
I love the whole story unfolding with the bakery. What a great way to announce to everyone that soon all that delicious bread can be theirs.
I’m so excited for you guys! Having the bakery will be so fun.
What an awesome introduction to the community!!!
That pecan pie looks amazing!!!
How cool to get all that bread — I love that you get to start spreading the word of the bakery opening
Pineapple with chickpeas sounds so interesting! I am gonna have to get ahold of that book!
The postcards are so cute! Craving bread now!!
Bread!!! And tagged in the photo, no less. :-p I love that all the Great Harvest locations are like brothers and sisters.
I bought a French baguette to go with my chickpea soup yesterday (only because there aren’t any GHs around here, scout’s honor). This baguette was the most delicious thing ever. Aside from every other food I’ve said that about this week.
I can’t believe the whole bakery is coming together.. it has been so cool to see an insider view of how a business gets started. PLUS you and Matt are a source of motivation. Yall are so brave; idk if i would have the balls to start my own business.
Can’t wait to see more of everything
PS the picture of yall w/ the bread cracks me up
Wow the CEO, he must REALLY like you guys.
Oh wow, that bread! I’ve never lived near a GH before but I recently discovered that there’s one a 30minute drive from my new home; the trip is seeming more and more worth it!
I can’t take my eyes off of that pecan pie!! Mmmm
The bread looks wonderful as well – I REALLY want to try GH bread!
Oh, if only you’d done this in 2008, when I was in Cville! Bad timing strikes again
First, I love that you labeled “BREAD” in the photo!
And now I know what Pablo looks like next time I’m in Warrenton! Hopefully I’ll be able to say hiiii to him.
I love that GH passes bread out in the community, such a great touch! When do you expect the bakery to open? I may be able to arrange a lil wine/bread tasting adventure whenever that happens.
I’ve got lots of carb-loving friends!
Oh my goodness! I want a bread delivery like that!! I’d have a hard time giving it away, though! LOL
Your dinner looks amazing! YUM!
I’d be in bread heaven if I had all that bread delivered to my doorstep!!
I love mid-week dinner parties too! And I would scarf so much GH bread if all that arrived on my doorstep…..
I’m so excited for you guys! I must check out the great harvest in my neck of the woods!
I love how supportive the GH family of folks seems to be!!
I would PAY Karen to make and ship me her pecan pie. It looks amazing!!!!!!
Hawaiian Chickpea Teriyaki = delish!
I just blogged about a recipe i made two days ago using Mango + Chickpeas + Rice.
I need to pick up Lindsay’s book to see how she made hers
Wahoo!!! I love the introductory card and gift basket
What a a fun evening, I love Great Harvest bread and their cookies too!
I had never heard of Great Harvest until I started reading your blog late last year and then discovered there is one like 15 minutes away from me. Their cheddar garlic IS MY FAVORITE indulgence bread. I feel like I need it under lock and key so I don’t just cut off hunks all day. Ahhh so hard to resist. Thank god for you and your blog, Kath
What a great idea to introduce yourself into the community!
So cool that you’re opening a business! I’m a little jealous.
And your meal looks delicious. I really need some bread I haven’t had bread in what feels like forever. And chickpeas and pineapple sounds heavenly.
How exciting that demo has begun! You are going to have fun delivering all that bread to the locals and introducing yourself! Enjoy:)
It’s getting closer and closer to opening day! That must be very exciting (and a little nerve wracking)! You must be excited!!
That is such a fun way to get people excited for Great Harvest! That looks like a perfect dinner!
Looks like a wonderful group of people!! Glad you guys were able to get together and enjoy some business over good food. Always a perk of business meetings.
Tell Karen her Pecan Pie looks OUTSTANDING!!! I have a thing for Pecan Pie.
Nothing tops Great Harvest bread. Nothing! I’ve never had the garlic cheddar though and that must change, immediately!!!
I wish you’d deliver some of the gluten free bread to my doorstep. I only live in Chicago – that’s not too much of a hike, right?
I am so excited for you three! It is getting closer. Looks like a great night. Have fun delivering baskets!
There are going to be some happy people in the future. Looks like a really fun night and adventure.
Baha – I love that you labeled the bread in the picture, and yayy this is wonderful!
oh that meal looks fantastic!
You guys are such fabulous entertainers! Dinner parties are so intimidating to me. I usually just suggest to meet at a restaurant!
That’s so exciting that the renos have begun! When are you expecting to open?
glad you’re lovin the book! thats one of my fave recipes and YUM hand me some of that freshly baked bread
yayyyyyy Warrenton Great Harvest! Lovveeeee them! I’m glad you guys are a family
OK, so you’re stopping by the City Hall Annex today, right???? My office is on the second floor …..
Don’t know if we can manage today, but I’ll put you on for next time!?
That meal looks amazing. I love anything with pineapple. I may have to purchase that cookbook!
That is so awesome about all that bread!! I am so excited for you guys opening the bakery!
Oh~ I love the sight of that bread – and the pie! Karen is awesome!
Kath-ERFs saw this and thought you’d appreciate it!
http://www.newser.com/story/111683/heres-your-acronym-for-a-healthier-diet-erf.html
If you can’t share the chickpea recipe, can you share the pecan pie recipe? It looks delish!
What a great celebration
Can I just say Karen is probably one of the most joyous and brightest-looking women I’ve ever seen!
Aww thank you
How sweet of your Great Harvest neighbor! Not to mention, a fantastic promotional idea.
Dinner looks fab!
Yay bread!!! Also that pecan pie is quite drool-worthy.
I’m so excited for you!!! That bread looks awesome
That is so exciting about your store! I can’t wait to see how it comes along! Dinner looks amazing! Oh, and that pecan pie! Holy yum! I’ve never had pecan pie before. It looks so incredible!
I see Mike has an Embry Riddle t-shirt on…did he attend the school or teach at the school? I live in Prescott and we have an Embry Riddle here! It’s a small school so I am curious! You pictures of dinner look amazing! It all looks so organic and beautiful! : )
His son goes there (I believe!)
I love the bread basket idea! And the second picture is too cute!
What a great adventure you’re embarking on–so fun to watch!
Working on Pecan Pie recipe.
Hoping to open bakery in April/May!
breeeead!
Just wanted to say I’m so excited for you! I hope to make it to C-ville one day to visit your Great Harvest and meet you in person. In the meantime, it’s fun to get to see this journey you are on.
Kath,
I’m new to your website and find your active lifestyle, healthy appetite for wine & food and drive for life very inspiring. Thank you for this.
I’m curious about two things…What is your relationship with Mike, the CEO? And two, do you make your own Cherry Balsmic Dressing or buy it? I’d love a recipe, brand or website if you have one for this tasty treat.
Thank you!
Welcome!!
I’m not sure what you mean by relationship? He’s the CEO of our franchise company, but he’s also become a friend and mentor for us!
The Cherry Balsamic is from Boston Olive Oil Company
My local GH is Warrenton and the owners are always so friendly. It is funny to see them on your blog.
The breads are so amazing. I stock up weekly.
Congratulations!! Everything looks lovely, and the pie is beautiful!! Can Karen share her recipe??
I think I’m gonna have to buy that cookbook. The dinner looks simple but amazing!
Your friend Mike has an Embry-Riddle Tshirt on!! That is where my husband went to school and no one has ever heard of it when I tell them where he went. I always get a little happy when I see someone else that knows!
I just discovered that Great Harvest bread is available on Sundays at my local farmer’s market – Woot!!
I can look forward to trying out the bread this weekend