J’EET YET?
MIDWEST NICE X PARLOR HOTEL
A Retreat for Foodie Creatives
August 2-4, 2024
Greater Green Lake Area, Wisconsin
“J’eet yet?”
The refrain every Midwesterner knows from a young age. It’s a question, but also a statement.
A declaration of affection and care.
Those two simple words mean so much more.
“Can I feed you?”
“Are you hungry?”
“Would you like something to eat?”
“I love you.”
It is this desire to love and be loved that is the premise of Midwest Nice X Parlor Hotel. To bring together foodies and creatives who have spent their careers feeding others and sharing their gifts. To provide a space where they can nourish themselves, relax and unwind, all while enjoying the spoils of a Wisconsin summer in a welcoming and inspired space. To highlight those that grow our food, make our beers, and give us a place to rest our heads.
Rural Wisconsin is a humble place. You’ll find no skyscrapers, mass transit, or sports stadiums. But you will find farm fresh produce, artisan meats and cheeses, and the people and purveyors who put their heart and soul into making quality food products available to those that wish to get a taste of something special from Wisconsin.
It is our mission to showcase the richness and depth of the culinary scene in the Midwest. Away from the big cities, no glitz, no glam, just riverside docks and fireflies. Where the beer is cold, the fish is fried, and the friends are true.
Want to join us? The only thing we need to know is…j’eet yet?
-Amanda
Meet your Hosts
Amanda Gajdosik
Co-Host/Owner, Midwest Nice
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Food Blogger/Co-Host
Born and raised just 30 minutes from Parlor Hotel, Amanda is the owner of Midwest Nice, a food blog specializing in Midwestern delicacies. Think beer brats, brandy slush, Scotcheroos, and more!
When she moved back to the Green Lake area after college and a short layover down South, Amanda made it her mission to share good food with good people. To make sure that the classic, comforting recipes she ached for when homesick could be enjoyed by readers far and wide.
It is her hope that with every meal she creates and every recipe she shares that her followers, whether Midwestern or not, feel inspired, delighted, and encouraged. And that they pass those feelings on to their loved ones in the form of a homemade treat. It’s the Midwest Nice thing to do.
Partnering with Matt, Greg, and the entire Horseradish Kitchen and Parlor Hotel team is a dream come true for Amanda. She is thankful that an affection for delicious sandwiches turned into genuine friendship and a mutual appreciation and celebration for this wonderful slice of heaven we call home.
Matt & Greg
Co-Hosts/Owner, Parlor Hotel & Horseradish Kitchen
Meet the Crew
Stephanie
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Hi there! I’m Stephanie – welcome to my little corner of the internet.
I believe in cooking and baking at home! My goal is to give you the confidence and know-how to make dinner, dessert, lunch, and more from scratch – in your own kitchen! I hope that my kitchen-tested recipes will get you excited about cooking and show you how good food can taste – and that you don’t need to spend HOURS in the kitchen to make a good meal.
On any given day you can likely find me whipping up a batch of cookies or finding a new use for my cast-iron pan – LOVE that thing so much.
When I’m not in my kitchen (which isn’t too often – I’ve had friends ask me if I ever leave the kitchen, true story), I enjoy running or taking walks outside with my husband Grant, playing board games, reading cookbooks, exploring our home city of Madison, WI, and binge-watching Cheers and Alfred Hitchcock movies.
Meredith
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I was born and raised in Minnesota and moved to Wisconsin for college.
Growing up in a tight-knit family in Minnesota, so many of my favorite memories were made around a big table sharing food that everyone helped to prepare. I’ve been around great cooks and bakers my whole life. I always loved helping my Grandma and mom make cookies, traditional Czech kolaches, and other baked goods since I was a child. I really began cooking meals and playing with recipes when I went off to college.
My husband and I love trying new recipes and simply having fun together in the kitchen. We’ve been together for 15 years and have been cooking together nearly as long. Our kiddo is also learning to help and loves to participate in our day-to-day cooking and baking adventures.
Justen Lambert
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Northwoods born, now Chicago-based, Justen Lambert is a chef, food stylist, and culinary creative. Having worked with brands including Taste of Home, Garrett Popcorn, The Spice House, and Visit Galena, Justen has a passion for all things food and crafting deliciousness. From breakfast gnocchi to saffron risotto and chicken & waffles, Justen loves balancing between different flavors, textures, and tastes. He is also the co-founder and chef behind Morning Jay’s, a new Chicago-based breakfast pop-up (founded with his partner Nate) with the motto ‘breakfast made different’.
Nate Crawford
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Nate Crawford is an award-winning Chicago-based food, product and lifestyle photographer, baker, photo educator & person who stutters. Since taking his first food photo in his parent’s living room in 2014, it’s been love at first bite. 10 years later, he has worked with food and hospitality brands big and small, from Garrett Popcorn, Nielsen-Massey, Eggland’s Best Eggs, Thrive Market, Bob’s Red Mill and The Spice House. He is also the co-founder and baker behind Morning Jay’s, a new Chicago-based breakfast pop-up (founded with his partner Justen) with the motto ‘breakfast made different’.
When he's not photographing food, you can find Nate baking away in his kitchen or serving up delicious dishes with his partner Justen in and around their home studio in Chicago.
Jen
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Jen Anderson takes a sentimental approach to cooking, pastry, and recipe development. Nostalgia, pleasure, and their midwestern roots lend influence to their recipes. A friendship forged in the kitchen brings them to [the retreat] this year. They’re excited to make great food and foster good times for all.
Kelli Calkins
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Kelli Calkins is a food blogger and content creator based out of Milwaukee, WI with over 15k followers on Instagram and TikTok. She share: various recipes including baked goods, dinners, snacks, fun cocktails and more. She works full time at a marketing agency that specializes in the food and agriculture industry, granting her opportunities to speak at the Food and Beverage Association (FaB) attend events like Innovation and Food Technology (IFT) and be a recording guest on the agencies food and ag podcast, State of the Plate. She specializes in paid and organic social media, influencer relations, and helping content creators navigate brand partnerships.
Thanks to our Sponsors & Contributors
Itinerary
FRIDAY AUGUST 2ND
2 - 5 PM: Parlor Hotel Check-in
Snacks & Welcome Bags
5 - 9 PM: Dinner
Fish Fry Dinner w/ Old Fashioned’s on Horseradish’s Riverfront
SATURDAY AUGUST 3RD
8 - 10 AM: Breakfast
Parlor Bodega Sandwiches & Bloody Mary Bar
11 - 12 PM: Brewery Tour
Knuth’s Brewing Company
12 - 1 PM: Lunch
Knuth’s Brewing Company
1 - 2 PM: Explore Time
Downtown Ripon
2 - 3 PM: Ice Cream + Sipping Room
Belle’s + Patina Vie
3 - 5 PM: Rest + Digest
Parlor Hotel
5 - 6 PM: Cocktail Hour
Horseradish Kitchen + Market
6 - 9 PM: Supper Club + Field Blend Wine Pairing Dinner
Horseradish Kitchen + Market
SUNDAY AUGUST 4TH
8 - 10 AM: Breakfast
Renard’s Breakfast Pastries
10 - 11 AM: Shopping
Antiques/Vintage/Boutiques in Princeton
11 - 1 PM: Lunch
Horseradish Kitchen + Market
BONUS:
6 - 9PM: The Sunday Sessions
Live Music at Horseradish Kitchen + Market
About the Event
Hosted by Parlor Hotel and local influencer Midwest Nice (Amanda Gajdosik), J’eet Yet? is a retreat and content workshop for creatives. These guests, across various social media channels, have a combined reach of more than half a million followers. While in town, they will share best practices and craft original content that shows off the culinary arts scene in our area.
We recognize the growing importance of foodie tourism in Wisconsin and plan to make this an annual event that elevates the culinary reputation of the Greater Green Lake region, a region that was the second fastest growing tourism economy last year.
Want to be featured?
We are looking to partner with Wisconsin brands and products to feature in gift bags and at food events throughout the weekend. In exchange, our guests will integrate these products and merchandise in the content created throughout this three-day culinary weekend.
Donated items can be shipped to:
Horseradish Kitchen + Market
℅ Greg Wright
505 W Water Street
Princeton, WI 54968
How can I see what you’re doing?
Follow our social channels during the weekend!
Want to participate next year?
Great! Send us a message in our contact form.