Whew!! The day at Great Harvest went really well. We met a selection of key directors and learned so much about the process of opening and running a bakery. If anything I feel less nervous about the process – the company provides owners with as little to as much support as one could possibly need, and I believe we are perfectly cut out for the job as owners
We should find out in the next 24 to 48 hours if we are offered a franchise and then the ball starts rolling and never stops! We saw a beautiful rainbow upon leaving Dillon, so I’ll take that as a good sign.
Between meetings we sipped coffee, hot tea and munched on a delicious trail mix!
I had 3 handfuls – heavily filled with M&Ms!
Bocker had a fun time playing in the bear nursery while we did grownup things
At noon we were treated to lunch as this darling cafe just around the corner called Sweetwater.
Janet recommended the HOT lemonade – freshly squeezed lemon mixed with hot water and sugar. It was DIVINE!!! Perfect for a cold rainy day. I got the lemon and Matt got the orangeade – (mine was better 😉 )
For lunch I had Dottie’s Blue Salad, romaine with teriyaki chicken, blue cheese, walnuts, tomato, cuc, parmesan, cranberries and Grape Nuts!!! It was fab. Blue cheese dressing on the side –
And a cup of homemade vegetable soup
Matt got the T3C – turkey with romaine and cranberry cream cheese on a cheesy bun. I stole two delicious bites (and gave him some salad bites in exchange)
Thanks to Dawn for being so good to us and making us feel so welcome these past few months!
And thank you to the rest of the team for the wonderful day!
Bakery bound?
***
Our drive back to Bozeman was long and kinda scary when we encountered a blizzard on a mountain!!
To…
But in the valleys it was just wet and rainy and we made safely in less than 2 hours.
And headed straight to Aleworks!! We debated between Aleworks and Plonk, a swanky wine bar with a tempting menu, because both were highly recommended, but we decided on Aleworks for Matt’s beer craving. Per usual. I agreed that we could drink wine anywhere, but Montana local brews were coming to an end when we got on the airplane tomorrow.
The boy is obsessed with beer!
I ordered the Bayern Octoberfest, which was deliciously malty and sweet. Absolutely loved it!
Per our guidebook’s recommendation, we ordered the Bison Potstickers for an appetizer. And they rocked!! Best bison of the weekend.
In a mango chili sauce!
I drank my beer too fast and ordered another. Was just that kinda night.
And we made friends with our dinner neighbors!
For dinner I was craving salad #2 of the day. Can’t get enough salad after 2 days of meat! I got the Gallatin Salad with organic greens, goat cheese, veggies and a homemade dressing, served with blackened wild Alaskan salmon. Awesome. I ate it all!
Matt ordered the Bacon-Wrapped Bison Meatloaf, which was totally awesome. It came with an onion gravy, which I tried because of the Thanksgiving aroma. Big mistake. Onion breath = yuck.
After dinner we didn’t want our vacation to end. It was one of those "let’s think of something to do" nights. So we went out for dessert and wine to Plonk!
Loved the atmosphere
We asked our waitress which reds would go best with chocolate and she didn’t have a specific recommendation, so we went with a Zin and a Granache – half a glass of each. When you don’t want a whole glass, just ASK if they’ll do half (and then tip extra 😉 )
And that chocolate? Local artisan chocolates!
Chocolate sorbet
A dark sliver, an almond milk, a toffee, a raspberry champagne, and an Aztec (that tasted like pumpkin!)
Bocker’s feelin’ a little tipsy and took off his shirt and has been streaking around our hotel room!!
Better go lasso him in, cowboy 😉
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
Beautiful pictures!
Diana says
Good luck!! 🙂
Ashley says
Love the little mug of veggie soup…so cute! Your day looked awesome and you even got to see snow! Gooood LUCK, to both of you!
Mama Pea says
Bocker is a lush. He reminds me of my college roommate, only she was more hairy.
kay (eating machine) says
good luck!
your salads look fantastic after my day of travel food 🙂
Tay says
Awww yay!!! I’m so happy that it went well 🙂
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
Ahhhh!!! I hope you get it!! What an amazing lookin’ din–I love the design in the mango chili sauce.
Kathleen says
Seriously love the pics of the vacay and especially Bocker! I thought it was adorable that he got tipsy and streaked shirtless around your room…I actually laughed out loud when I read that! Good luck, hope you get the offer!
Kristen @ frostingandfroth.com says
So happy to hear your day went well. I’ve got my fingers crossed for you two!
Bocker streaking?!? Is he auditioning for “Bears Gone Wild?”
Rachel says
Holy cow! I passed through Dillon once when I was 17? I think? and went to Sweetwater and wrote in my travel journal and it’s stuck with me ever since (7 years ago)! So neat that you went somewhere I recognize.
Glad you enjoyed your time in the West! Best of luck!
Alyson says
I think this is such an absolutely awesome thing you are doing, how exciting! Keeping my fingers crossed!
Linda says
Your scenic drive is absolutely amazing, although a bit scary at times with the snow and all. Are those bison or cows along the highway?
Long live bread!
Shelley (Pink House) says
So glad that you made it back to Bozeman and to two of my favorite Bozeman spots – Montana Aleworks and Plonk.
Hope your bakery plans work out too! Good luck
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans says
I hope the bakery works out! I think if it doesn’t you two might want to consider opening a brewery…
maria says
Those pot stickers look great. We call them gyoza in Japan. Pretty sure they are just the same thing with a different name!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) says
Glad everything went so well today!
Lara (Thinspired) says
I will cross my fingers for you guys! I really hope you get it 🙂
Really enjoying the photos from this trip–it really looks like you guys are enjoying yourselves. Lunch looks so good–I love that little cup of soup 😉
Diana says
I hope everything works out! I’m sure it will 🙂
Mike Zurick says
I never realized you and Matt had such a height difference! That’s cool!
My roommate is from Helena and just graduated from Missoula. She loves Bozeman! She’s now in Chicago with me.
I believe the man who wrote “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” taught in Bozeman.
Good luck on the franchise! Can you ship bread to Chicago? I can ship White Castle hamburgers and Frango mints to you!
Mike
Molly says
Congratulations and good luck!!!
christie @ honoring health says
Good luck on getting the bakery deal!! You guys would make great owners!
Jenn (www. j3nn.net ) says
I’m impressed by all of the wonderful places to eat. We don’t even have as many elegant selections in our part of rural upstate NY. Very nice!! 🙂
Jenn
Stacey says
Yay! Im crossing my fingers for you! So is the location you want your store to be in, or just one you visited?? Glad you have had a fun time on the trip! And yummo to that salad 🙂
Kirsten says
Looking forward to hearing the news! Good luck.
Shannon says
What an exciting weekend! Good luck! I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t be offered a franchise!
Susan says
Oooh, I hope things work out with Great Harvest!! I always ask for half-pours on my beer too. Some places give me a weird look, but it’s worth it to not have to down a giant draught! That chocolate sorbet look good!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I hope you guys get it!!!
Emily (Emily Eats and Exercises) says
Good luck – you guys look like great bakery owners!
I love the idea of that hot lemonade. Yum – I’ll have to try making that myself.
Kristen says
I love that Bocker has a wild side! 😉
Gabriela says
Must get to Montana- your eats for this trip look amazing! Good luck with the bakery, you’d be great at it 🙂 Have a safe trip home!
megan says
Good luck Kath! And that is a fantastic idea to ask for half glasses of wine! I have a question . . . does having both wine and beer on the same night give you stomach issues? That always happens to me so I never do it but I love variety so I wish I could. Any suggestions? Enjoy the rest of your trip!
Julie says
Good luck, you guys must be so excited!!!
The snowy mountains remind me of driving through Vermont to go skiing…oh winter, I love/hate you.
I think I want to move to Montana based on your pictures.
Kara says
Glad GH went well!
I’ve heard of hot lemonade, but not orangeade! I’d like to try both!
Stephanie says
chocolate + red wine = heaven!
rhodeygirl says
good luck Kath & Matt!
Jen(eatmovelove) says
Yum to M&M’s. Everything looks so delicious to comment on! I love the photo of the blizzard (I’m sure it wasn’t fun to drive through of course!!) but it’s looks amazing. Great photos, very classy and professional! And you guys are such a gorgeous couple !
Paige(Running Around Normal) says
Good luck to you both!!! I can’t wait to hear the results, although I have an idea it will be you got it!
That wine and dessert bar looks fabulous!
Caitlin says
I’m so thrilled things are moving towards you two getting a bakery in Charlottesville – such a wonderful city! And it doesn’t hurt that my sister goes to grad school there, so it’ll be easy to stop on by and see 🙂
Simply Life says
Wow, I’ve never heard of hot lemonade before but it sounds great!
JENNA says
it sounds like your time in MT has been great 🙂 and your ‘blizzard’ has brought back soooo many memories! 🙂
I’m praying for ya all! I know you are the right fit! I can’t wait to come visit your cute little Great Harvest in C’ville! 🙂
Lee says
Your whole trip sounds fabulous. I never would have thought to go to Montana (I know you went for business, but still) but now I’m definitely thinking it would be an awesome vacation.
Sarah R says
Oh my goodness! How exciting! I’m excited to hear what the next few days will bring 🙂
Loving Bocker as well… glad the stowaway is having a good time too!
Madelin @ What is for breakfast? says
Good luck! Your choccy dessert looks so yum – nothing better than choc and red wine 🙂
MelissaNibbles says
You make the good bears go bad!
kraileen says
Good luck! We need a Great Harvest in Charlottesville! YUMYUM!
AnnQ says
Congratulations – SO cool !!!
Erin says
It’s been so much fun reading about your adventures out west. Thank you for sharing them.
Mellissa says
Sending positive vibes your way!!
Nicole (dishin') says
Looks like a great day! Good luck!!!!
Allison (Eat Clean Live Green) says
Bocker is one funny little guy! 🙂
I really hope you guys get the franchise!
Eileen says
Your Montana posts have been fabulous! I really, really hope you guys get the franchise. You’d be awesome.
Thank you for sharing your adventurous food spirit. I’d probably have passed on the bison potstickers, but when you describe them, they actually sound kind of yummy!
Heather says
Hot lemonade is one of my favorites – a caffene free afternoon drink. I usually use True Lemon and some honey…delish!
Sarah says
I definitely think you guys are going to get the offer and it’s going to be great!
I laughed out loud at the streaking bear 😉
Karla says
Good luck! They would be crazy not to offer a franchise to you guys… Can’t wait to hear the big news!
PS – I LOVE your blog! It’s def one of the best out there.
Tina says
AH that’s so exciting!! Good luck to both of you.
Salmon is the best!!
sj says
jesus christ!? who brings a teddy bear on a job interview? much less a trip if your over the age of 1! ay yi yi!
Ashley says
Good luck! Hope you get it!
Tracey says
Good luck! I’m so happy and excited for you. You will be the best bakery owners, ever! 🙂
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale says
Don’t you just love being in vacation-mode and exploring new restaurants in a strange town? Nothing beats it!
Fingers crossed you guys get the franchise – I can’t see why they wouldn’t want to give it to you!
Jenna says
great eats! your dinner salad with salmon looks sooo yummy 🙂 hope you get the franchiseeee!
jenna
Hannah Jane says
That homemade veggie soup looks so nice and homey and comforting! I want some now!
That chocolate sorbet looks awesome too!
Glad you’re having fun!
-Hannah
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
this is all so exciting for you – yay!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
this is all so exciting for you – yay!
Mel @ She Runs Brooklyn says
Another one that made me smile 🙂 I really hope you guys get it. Love the bear cameos.
Amanda says
Can’t think of two nicer people that would be more suited to opening a bakery – and I don’t even know you!
Good Luck!
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
Hot Lemonade and Orangade remind me of all the hot tang I drank on hiking trips early in my college years.
Bev says
Matt, your so thin. Good luck with you guys new adventure :o)
Kelly says
Ahh! This post made me homesick..glad you enjoyed your trip. It has been fun reading about home on your blog!