Disclosure: I was invited to a complimentary cocktail class at Treaty Oak Distilling. All opinions are my own. The class got me thinking about fueling my foodie passion. I hope you enjoy this post and thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.
It started with a cupcake, and my life has never been the same.
When the cupcake craze hit the U.S. and cupcake shops were opening left and right, I became semi-obsessed with this sweet treat. Austin had its own surge of cupcake shop openings, and I had to try every single one. I loved dessert and pastries, but with a cupcake, I loved how bakers infused creativity into this seemingly simple and small cake. It was too easy to have the usual combinations of vanilla and chocolate. Now there was cookie dough, peanut butter, crumbled chocolate cookies, and fresh strawberries added into these few bites.
Being a part of Yelp and now, the Austin Food Blogger Alliance encouraged this food obsession. I dove into trying new-to-me restaurants, cuisines, and dishes constantly and was insatiable in discovering and experiencing. From a restaurant owner’s inspiration to open a restaurant to the explosion of flavors in a well-crafted dish, food continues to fascinate me with the ways it sparks joy on my tongue and in my brain.
We all have those things we’re passionate about or are interested in. They consume our thoughts and our free time, and if we’re lucky, we can share our passion with others.
What are you passionate about?
Cocktail Class at Treaty Oak Distilling
It’s this passion for learning about food and drinks that made me say an excited ‘yes’ to Treaty Oak Distilling‘s invite to a cocktail class at their Cocktail Lab. (You might remember my visit a few months prior.)
In
Whiskey isn’t my go-to spirit but I do like cocktails and learning. It’s easy to take a sip of whiskey and declare I’ll never like it but mixed with different ingredients, I might be the presentation I didn’t like, not the whiskey. There were cocktails in the class on the strong side for me, but there were also ones that I can see myself ordering again and again. I was a little surprised by that but I’ve learned that putting your preferences in a box can hinder your experiences.
Our cocktail class presented four different recipes from “Hacking Whiskey,” each customized by Treaty Oak Distilling. We enjoyed The Julius (inspired by an Orange Julius), the
Treaty Oak Distilling’s products are impressive to me already, especially the gin. This opportunity to “play” with whiskey illustrates the company’s desire to shake up the industry and encourage people to go beyond what they know and have experienced. If you’re curious about this, be sure to look out for future cocktail experiences in their Cocktail Lab.
5 Ways to be Passionately Curious
I encourage you to find something you’re passionate about in life. Start a quest and explore your curiosity! Here are five ways to fuel your passion:
1. Challenge Yourself
Everyone starts somewhere. My passion for food was fostered by going to restaurants and trying new cuisines. I begin to find out what I did and didn’t like and learned about traditions and cultures. Keep an open mind and be willing to try and learn new things. You might find yourself at a whiskey cocktail class with some new favorite cocktails.
2. Take on a Challenge
It’s good to have goals in place. Growing my foodie knowledge meant visiting a certain number of restaurants every month or cooking through a cookbook. With a specific goal in mind, you’re more likely to find opportunities to challenge yourself.
3. Find Supporters
I love meeting up with fellow food bloggers and going out to eat with my fiancé because they love food as much as I do. We’re adventurous in trying new dishes and we revel in a great dining experience. Find people with whom you can share tips, learn, and geek out.
4. Read Books and Watch Shows/Movies
There is a wealth of information out there and it’s easily accessible, thanks to e-books and streaming services. In addition to my new “Hacking Whiskey” book, I’ve collected a few food-focused books and gravitate towards books and shows about food.
For foodie media, I love “The Third Plate” by Dan Barber, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” by Michael Pollan, and am currently reading “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life” by Barbara Kingsolver. I’ve also been working my way through the books “Wine Folly” and “The Beer Bible” to learn more about the history and types of wine and beer, respectively. For shows, I like “Parts Unknown,” “Chef’s Table,” “Ugly Delicious,” and “Salt, Heat, Fat, Acid,” which are all on Netflix.
5. Take a Class
Learn from the experts. If you’re interested in a subject, why not invest your time and money into it? In a class, you’ll be able to ask questions and get hands-on experience. You’re also likely to be in a class with people who are interested in the subject as you are! [I’ve got a big list of creative classes in Austin you should check out.]
What are you passionate about and how do you stay curious about it?
P.S. Want to hear more foodie adventures? I have a thing for craft chocolate, I also like craft beer, and I’m on a year-long local eating challenge this year.
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