I had the prospect to journey to Cincinnati with Bayer to be part of their “Take Care, Now” marketing campaign launch in collaboration with Kroger and Luke Bryan. Right here’s the recap!
Whats up, good day!
Should you comply with me on Instagram, you may need seen that I used to be in Cincinnati final weekend! I traveled there sponsored by Bayer to assist launch their “Take Care, Now” marketing campaign that addresses meals insecurity in rural areas throughout the nation. The kickoff started with a press occasion on Saturday afternoon and ended with a Luke Bryan live performance that night time!
You may keep in mind that I went to Minnesota final fall for the Luke Bryan Farm Tour and that present needed to be cancelled because of poor climate situations. So I used to be thrilled when Bayer reached out to me this time for a re-do!
My function as an RD was to organize a straightforward, wholesome summer time recipe utilizing elements from the native meals financial institution and recent summer time elements from Kroger for the media to pattern. I selected my Black Bean + Avocado Salad for its versatility and base of canned beans and corn.
Friday: Journey + Waterfront Stroll
I flew down the day earlier than on Friday. My flights went nice, and I arrived with loads of time to stroll across the Cincinnati downtown. This was my first time to Cincinnati, and it was very fairly! It jogged my memory of Richmond with the river and bridges.
The Reds baseball sport had the waterfront space a buzz!
Dinner at Metropole
I met the Bayer group at Metropole for dinner that night time. (A late 8:15pm dinner!) Metropole is within the 21C lodge, which is a series that I’ve visited in Durham, NC too, so I used to be acquainted!
We had drinks on the bar earlier than our group of 9 was seated in a semi-private room. I had the Hay Fever (a bourbon cocktail with rhubarb bitters) that was implausible.
The dinner was delish, and I loved attending to know the Bayer crew! They flew in from throughout. We shared oysters, salads, and apps to begin.
And I had a breadcrumb-topped halibut for my dinner.
I didn’t get to mattress that night time till midnight!
Breakfast on the Sleepy Bee
I used to be fairly sleepy from being out late, so I took myself to Sleepy Bee subsequent door for breakfast.
I sat solo on the bar and obtained a latte and their well-known Bee Muffins!
Afterwards I did one other waterfront stroll earlier than heading as much as my room to prepare for the press occasion.
Take Care, Now
Our group caravanned over to Riverbend Music Heart the place the press occasion was being held adopted by the live performance. I arrived to a desk stuffed with elements and kitchen utensils (however no kitchen!) and started working making a double batch of the recipe.
I felt a bit like I used to be on High Chef having to place collectively a recipe in document time earlier than the media began to reach!
Luke Arrives
The media arrived round 3 and so did Luke Bryan! I heard and acknowledged his voice earlier than I noticed him and tried to remain cool haha. Shortly after the audio system started, he made his manner over to my desk and sampled a number of bean salad cups! I whispered to him “Do you prefer it” and he nodded an enthusiastic “sure!” with a thumbs up.
Try some movies in this Instagram submit!
We additionally heard from the Governor and First Woman of Ohio together with management from Bayer, Kroger, and Feeding America who’re all part of this initiative. Over 44 million folks within the U.S. are dealing with meals insecurity, together with 13 million kids. The “Take Care, Now” marketing campaign has the potential to succeed in 200 meals banks and over 60,000 companion businesses, meals pantries and meal applications which positively impacts hundreds of individuals throughout rural America. To boost consciousness of “hidden starvation” and promote options, the marketing campaign will cease at varied occasions together with the Luke Bryan Farm Tour live performance sequence. (Coming to Virginia and NC this 12 months!)
Luke Bryan Live performance
After the press occasion concluded, we had a break after which a buffet dinner.
I used to be gifted a Luke hat that I additionally obtained autographed!
After dinner, we walked over to the live performance for a non-public meet & greet with Luke. His tour bus has a entrance porch 😉
We had an exquisite riverview the place we waited for Luke’s arrival.
I assumed all day of one thing intelligent I may say to him and all I got here up with on the spot was “I made the bean salad you favored. And I’m an enormous fan.” Haha! Luke is my favourite nation star, and I really like so lots of his songs (“Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” is my favourite!)
We loved the live performance on an ideal night.
I feel this was my fourth Luke Bryan live performance. Till subsequent time!
Journey Day Dwelling
I used to be up till 1am this night time and needed to depart for the airport at 8. Sadly I’m not somebody who can sleep on planes! Particularly as a result of my flights had been so brief haha. I used to be ready to make use of my Capital One Enterprise X card and its linked Precedence Cross membership to get into THREE totally different lounges on my travels. A lot cash saved in airport meals and occasional!
And talking of journey playing cards, if you happen to’re on the lookout for a brand new one, the Capital One Enterprise simply launching a brand new promo the place you get 75,000 factors AND a $250 journey credit score after you spend $4,000 in your first 3 months. Should you’re on the lookout for a brand new journey card, this one is nice! The annual charge is simply $95 and also you’ll additionally obtain as much as $100 utility charge credit score for International Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Because of Bayer for sending me on this journey and for the chance to fulfill Luke!
