We are official professional Great Harvest loafers!
Opening a business is SCARY with a capital S. I am so very grateful for this team of experts standing behind us. I feel so much more confident in all aspects of owning a bakery than I did 5 days ago.
This afternoon we delivered 20 baskets of bread to the courthouse – a community gift. A Great Harvest tradition is to spontaneously deliver goodies to local businesses. We hope to do the same in Cville!
Upon return, we discovered the whole bakery had sold out of 700+ loaves of bread a few hours early! The report was that they raised over $4,000 for the high school band!
Our 5 days of training ended with a game of Jeopardy!
These turkeys were hilarious in their attempt to answer> correctly. There was much drama!
My team of two sadly did not win – we wagered everything on the final Jeopardy question and did not phrase it in the form of a question!! In fact, all 5 teams made this mistake so there was no winner!
But I did still graduate : )
We celebrated with Budweiser
Did I fool you!?
This was really a Montana Beltian White
Matt played with beer, I played with the baby!
But then I cashed in and had some beer too – sips of Matt’s Moose Drool
Great Harvest had pizzas for us at Papa T’s but we decided to hit the road and have a nice dinner at the #1 recommended foodie restaurant in this part of the country: The Old Hotel. I cannot tell you how many people I’ve told about my food blog followed by a recommendation for this restaurant. Luckily, it is also a B&B and there was room at the inn!! Perfect for a special birthday!
Our room is pretty suite sweet
Note the man holding a freshly poured beer!
We had a sip while freshening up before going down to dinner
Does he look 28 years old!?
Yes, right down to dinner! So fun to eat in the same place we’re sleeping. Sure made things warm and easy!
After a week of beer perusing, I was in the mood for a good glass of wine.
He stuck with his favorite …
The sourdough rolls were particularly delicious
We each ordered an entrée that came with a soup or salad, and we were both enticed by the Minted Pea Soup. It was fantastic!!!
So was the palate cleansing sorbet
I have determined that when in Maryland nibble crab, when in Louisiana eat crawfish, when in Boston seek out chowder, when in California find sushi and salads.
But when in Montana, eat beef.
I order steaks in restaurants maybe a handful of times a year – mostly when I can ask about a good source of meat. This Montanan grass-fed beef was one of THE best filet mignons I’ve EVER had and was topped with a cilantro-garlic pesto that was outta this world.
Served with orangey green beans and a potato gratin, I was mmmming all through the meal. Not sure if I’ve just been deprived of amazing food this week or this was just that good, but it was a meal to remember!
The steak called for a Cab. I couldn’t help but order one when my wine glass was empty before our dinners arrived. Matt helped me sip it down, but it made my steak tastes so good!
Matt had the cornish hen, which was perfectly cooked, along with some of the best pilaf I’ve ever had!
If the meal hadn’t already wowed us, the dessert put the icing on the cake.
Salted Caramel is a very favorite of mine, as I imagine many of you would agree. This milk chocolate crème brulee topped with a salted caramel crust and blackberries was THE BEST crème brulee I’ve ever had!!! Simply incredible. I wanted to order a second top!!
We are zonked tired and super excited about tomorrow’s breakfast at our B&B!
Amanda (Eating Up) says
That steak looks delicious! What a unique dining experience. I’m all about those!
Kat says
Congratulations on your store and graduation.
Maybe I should one day open a Great Harvest in my town. That bread looks so good!
Beautiful dinner I bet it tasted great
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Happy birthday to Matt! I can’t believe he is wearing short sleeves outside in that snow- crazy!!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat) says
CONGRATS!!! You two will make fabulous bakery owners, I am 110% sure of it.
Happy Birthday, Matt.
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
Looks like an awesome day! Yeah for the money going to the band. (I was a band nerd myself!) I can’t believe how much it has warmed up since you got there!
Camille says
Why in god’s name is Matt wearing a t-shirt with snow on the ground!? I guess it’s his birthday so he can do what he wants 🙂
Stefanie says
Happy birthday Matt from fellow birthday celebrator too on 14th! Though I guess we are no longer Capricorns?!?!?
Enjoy your trip and good luck on your new venture!
jaclyn@todays lady says
Yes, I will definitely have some of that dessert please! Salted caramel is the best!!!!! Congrats on graduating!!!
Brittany says
looks like you had a great day! p.s the bread looks a.m.a.z.i.n.g
Sana says
I loveeee MD crab! Enjoy celebrating with the b-day boyyy!
Bethany says
OMG! That crème brulee sounds sooooo good! I am completely jealous right now as I am a big crème brulee, chocolate, and blackberry fan…now I need some chocolate.
Allison @ Happy Tales says
Aw, it’s so nice that y’all are finally staying at a place where you can sleep AND eat good food! Must feel like home 🙂
Also… It looks like the temperature warmed up there today…. Matt is in a tee outside in one of the first few photos!
Question– do you find it hard to eat bread from other restaurants when you go out? Do you judge it against GH bread? I would think nothing could compare!
Kath says
Good question. I am super picky about bread but mostly sandwich bread. I love a fresh hot roll in a bread basket! I think it’s more about the style of bread GH makes. Since there aren’t a lot of artisan breads made there, there’s less of a comparison and since I really just love bread, I love a lot of different kinds.
Becky says
I’m so happy for you guys! I have been a fan of Great Harvest bread since I was a kid and we would drive an hour to the bakery for a loaf. Now I live much closer to one. Their bread is still the best I’ve ever tasted. I judge the bread I bake at home by how close it comes to the quality of Great Harvest…and I’ve come close, but never met it! (I think it’s the fresh yeast Great Harvest uses…or the fresh ground flour?) Anyway, congratulations to you both and hope the bakery is a huge success!
Kath says
I think it’s all of the above, but the freshly ground flour is probably the only place you can get it in many cities – I think it’s key. Matt knows all the recipes and secrets and he still can’t bake it as good at home!
Maryann says
Congrats!! Everything looks so fun and delicious!
jaime says
First, Happy Birthday to Matt!
Second, Congratulations to you both!!
Third, that Creme Brulee. Oh.em.gee. I fancy myself a superfan of Creme Brulee and I’m officially super jealous of that one!!!
Leila @ Spinach and Skittles says
Congrats on being professional loafers! Happy Birthday to Matt too – what a fun day! Everything in your din-din looks so tasty, but the cilantro-garlic pesto topping your steak? My o my!
Kim says
Happy Birthday Matt!!! 🙂
Wow that dinner looked suuuuuperb!
erica says
congratulations!!!
happy birthday to matt!
great reasons to celebrate, and the dinner looks so delicious!
Hannah says
He doesn’t look a day over happy 😉 Oh my, why haven’t more people though of turning the caramel part of creme caramel into salted caramel?! BEST IDEA EVER.
Kathy W. says
Happy Birthday, Matt!! What a great bday dinner! And congrats to you both on the next step of your Great Harvest adventure!
Gill (snaxandthecity) says
Congratulations Kath! I’m sure your bakery will be great.
I am drooling over that creme brulee, by the way!
Annie@stronghealthyfit says
Very exciting, and good for you for going for the filet mignon 🙂
Kori says
Happy birthday to Matt, and congratulations to you both! 🙂
Pearl (Crunch and Chew) says
Happy birthday Matt! Looks like you’re both having a blast 🙂
CathyK @ www.1970kikiproject.wordpress.com says
what a happy day! a birthday, a graduation, an amazing celebratory dinner…congrats on all!
love your philosophy of embracing the local specialty wherever you are…a great way to approach travel + dining.
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That is a wonderful birthday dinner!! In fact, I might request going to Montana to have it for my birthday next year. It’s only a few thousand miles, give or take.
Happy birthday, Matt!!!
Little Bookworm says
Happy Birthday to Matt and congratulations on the graduation. 🙂
Vanessa says
Congrats on being professional loafers!! Love Matt’s hat, it suits him well! You guys are adorable!! Hope Matt enjoyed his birthday!! Salted caramel? Creme brulee?? Awesome!!
stacey-healthylife says
Wow that looks like a 5 star meal, amazing.
Simply Life says
wow! congrats on graduating!!!
Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) says
Congratulations Great Harvest Grad’s and Happy Birthday Matt!!
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
Congrats!!! I can only imagine how scary and exciting it is all at once. I think Great Harvest is so awesome and you guys are perfect for owning one. 🙂
Also, the little baby man is too adorable. Hard to believe my own (that I just delivered on Tuesday – yay!) will be that big in the blink of an eye.
Kath says
Happy for you!!
Lauren says
Congratulations guys!!!!!! This is a great day! So many reasons to celebrate and you two definitely celebrated properly. 🙂 Happy Birthday to Matt. 🙂
Cathy B. @ Bright Bakes says
that is so cool that you guys did(and plan to) spontaneously deliver bread to random places! 🙂
love,
cathy b.
AJ says
Kath – it’s been a pleasure following your great new adventure! I wanted to join you for dinner – looks amazing!! Good luck with everything.
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
I don’t eat much meat but would probably order the same way in Montana!! And I LOVE salted caramel!
CaSaundra says
Yay! Congrats! You and Matt will do fabulous on this new adventure!
Meagan says
That’s so fun! You are wearing short sleeves in Montana? Did it warm up or something? I’ve never had filet mignon. It’s on my 2011 Goals list. Your dinner looks delicious. Happy Birthday Matt!
Elizabeth says
Is there any particular reason that you’re flipping off the camera in this photo?: https://www.katheats.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IMG_8248Blog.jpg
Just curious 😉
Christena says
hahahaha! I noticed the same thing!!! LOVE it! My sister manages to do this so much.
Regardless, GH sounds like a great company to partner with. Love businesses that give back to the community.
Matt may be wearing a t-shirt in the snow, but the buy in the background of that picture is wearing a t-shirt AND shorts!!!
Steak looks fantastic!
Kath says
HAHA – no!!!
foodandfarm says
Wow , what a wonderful celebration!!! I agree with you where to get what foods motto.
Sarah @ See Sarah Graduate says
First of all–congrats to both of yo for graduating! 🙂
Second of all–your dinner is making me drool on my computer as we speak.
Kath says
It was 40* when this photo was taken with the short sleeves! I was in my down coat 🙂
Amy says
I love Matt’s picture at the top-almost made me choke on my coffee laughing! You have been making me hungry all week with your bread and dough posts. Hopefully Great Harvest will make an appearence above the Montana border someday–Calgary isn’t that far away 😉
Lee says
Congrats! And Happy Birthday to Matt. How is he wearing a t-shirt in that cold Montana weather? And how is the guy behind him in shorts?
Elizabeth@The Sweet Life says
Congratulations on your graduation. What a big milestone in moving forward with your dream. Hope the night was a restful one and happy birthday to Matt!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Congrats on graduating!!!
The sight of babies always makes my ovaries ache. I don’t think the Husband would like to see me type that, but it’s true!
Anne @ butter and bear says
Congrats to both of you! Looks like you had an amazing day:-)
Erin @ Big Girl Feats says
Congrats on graduating!! That dinner looks unreal. I really want to visit a Great Harvest after these posts!
Marci says
Congrats Kath and Matt and happy birthday! Been fun to learn so much about Great Harvest and be tempted with beautiful bread pics. Have a great birthday weekend!
Alaina says
Congrats on graduating!! Looks like it was a fun week. 🙂
That dinner looks amazing and definitely makes me want to reconsider MT and book a ticket right now.
Amanda @ Just Amanda J says
Woot for graduating! That company seems really great about moral with its employees without making the tasks totally cheesy and lame. Glad you guys had a great night celebrating the birthday boy ;p The food looks amazing!
Amy at TheSceneFromMe says
Congratulations on graduating!!! Many more fun days ahead of breadmaking!
Tine says
Congrats with your certificate!
Enjoy making lots of bread :)!
Natalia - a side of simple says
Congratulations with GH and with your fabulous dinner!! What a great way to celebrate a birthday and graduation 🙂 Though, the picture of Matt delivering bread in just a t-shirt still has me shivering…
Emma says
You guys are the cutest! Happy bday Matt!
Jil @ Big City, Lil Kitchen says
Congrats!! and happy birthday to Matt!
Tania says
Good luck with your new business! I know I’d visit and buy a loaf if I were ever in your area! Much success to you and Matt. 🙂
Carrie says
Having eaten on the east coast (lived there for 11 years) and then moving back to Wyoming – where I grew up, I think the food on the east coast is a notch above anything out here! I miss all the good eats. Here, we talk about going out and nothing really jumps out as fabulous and “I must have that again!” Do you agree??
Ally says
That dinner looks amazing and I am totally craving a good steak with a full bodied cab right now. I am planning to make Cornish hen tonight. Happy Birthday Matt!!
Michele @ Healthy Cultivations says
It’s all so exciting. I’m so glad you share all of these joys with your readers!
Maria @ The Fitted Apron says
Kath,
Congratulations you look so happy. Good luck with the store, and a Happy Birthday to Matt. Love the GH t-shirt, where can I get one?
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Congrats on the store! You and Matt will do so well with it. 😀
faith @ gracefulfitness says
Happy birthday Matt! Have a fantastic day!
p.s. I know of at least one cville business that would be thrilled with a delivery 😉
Stephanie says
Love the baby and love the kiss. 🙂 You two=so cute!!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Congrats on graduating! You guys are going to make amazing bakery owners.
I’m the same way about beef too – I only eat it when it’s worth it. And that steak definitely sounds worth it!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
Congratulations on graduating! And Happy Birthday to Matt!
Namaste Gurl says
Glad Matt had a lovely and food-filled bday! 🙂
sarah says
Congratulations and good luck to you both! You’ll be the very best local business. I wish I lived near you. I’d buy bread from you every week and then some.
Jess says
Congrats on graduating! That meal looks awesome!
Rachel (Olalliberry) says
Congratulations to you both! Your dinner looks fantastic for a special night.
Jess @ atasteofconfidence says
Congratulations!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
CONGRATULATIONS!!! You’ve waited a long, long time for this!
Whitney says
I would LOVE to send you a complimentary box of my homemade sea salt caramels to try 😀 Let me know if you are interested!
Kath says
Ooo they sound great! Send me an email at Katheat at gmail if you really would like to send them 🙂
Cara Craves... says
Congrats on your graduation!
Christin@purplebirdblog says
You look cute with a baby on your hip, Kath!! 🙂
Faith says
Sorry I’m a little late, but I wanted to wish Matt a very happy (belated) birthday! And congrats to both of you on graduating…yay!!
kelsey says
As you may have noticed I am catching up on the blog! Cilantro pesto + salted carmel anything… Yes Please! HAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPYYYYYYYY BIRTHDAY MONKEY MATT!!
Jenifer says
Congrats on graduating! Already planning a day trip (as I live nearer Richmond) for the late summer to C’Ville and your place is on the list of things to hit.
As for that dinner… YUMMMMMMM!!! Thanks for sharing the pics. I’ve been trying to think of something to do for my hubby for Valentines Day (is it just me or are guy’s harder to shop for for V’day?) and I think this fits the bill! I’m already trolling the net for a recipe for the dessert.
Congrats again! May you have all the success you deserve in your business venture.