Sweet Tooth Sweet Life

A Love of Food, Fitness, & Fashion

  • Home
  • About
    • Sponsorships
    • Contact Me
    • Everything NASM
    • Wedding
      • Courtney & Jay
      • Getting Ready
      • Ceremony
      • Wedding Party
      • Flowers
      • Decorations & Details
      • Reception
      • Honeymoon at Sandals Grande St Lucian
    • Q & A’s
      • Q&A’s – Round 1
      • Q&A’s – Round 2
      • Q&A’s – Round 3
      • Q&A’s – Round 4
      • Q&A’s – Round 5
  • Pregnancy & Babies
  • Meal Planning
  • Recipes
    • Recipes
      • Breads & Muffin Recipes
      • Breakfast
        • Coffee Recipes
        • Egg & Omelet Recipes
        • Oatmeal & Buckwheat Recipes
        • Pancake & French Toast Recipes
        • Smoothie Recipes
      • Cookies/Cookie Bars
      • Cakes/Cupcakes & Frostings
      • Dinners
        • Chicken & Poultry Recipes
        • Beef & Pork Recipes
        • Seafood Recipes
        • Crockpot Recipes
        • Meatless Recipes
        • Pasta Recipes
        • Pizza Recipes
        • Soup/Stew/Chili Recipes
      • Pies/Trifles/Truffles/Candies/Crisps
      • Salads/Sides/Odds & Ends
  • Favorites
    • Shop
    • Blog Love
    • Fashion
    • “Just Because” Posts
    • Workout & Fitness Posts
    • Cody Posts
    • Restaurants (local and travel)
  • Workouts
    • Workouts
      • Circuit Workouts
      • 20-30 Minute Treadmill Routines
      • 35-55 Minute Treadmill Workouts
      • Upper Body Workouts
      • Lower Body Workouts
      • Walking Treadmill Workouts
      • Elliptical Workouts
  • Resources

My Judging Debut

By Courtney 24 Comments

On Friday evening, I told you guys that I was going to be participating as a “celebrity” judge but I never really gave you all anymore details!

The 2nd Annual HalloWine Festival was held at the Altamont Vineyard & Winery, located in Altamont, NY.

IMG_9072

The event was held outside at the vineyard, in large, festively decorated tents, with plenty of food and wine to go ‘round.

IMG_9071

IMG_9074

Eventually, we were seated and introduced to the crowd for the evening. It still made me chuckle to see my name listed amongst some of the others around me.

IMG_9080

Like I said before, I don’t know how well my credentials matched up with those around me, but it was still an honor just to be there anyways and make my “judging debut!” Winking smile

IMG_9081

I honestly wish I had saved my program for the evening, because I can’t remember many specifics about the various food pairings that were served and asked to judge. What I do remember is that we were given three main dishes to try, all prepared by Yono’s, a restaurant located in Albany, blending Indonesian cuisine with French presentations, and classical continental cuisine. I have never visited Yono’s before, but after the food I tried that evening, I’m definitely planning a trip soon!

The first dish was a noodle dish (please take note of my extremely unspecific details) which was paired with the winery’s Riesling.

IMG_9075

The noodles were absolutely amazing, and the complimented the Riesling so nicely. This was actually my top pick for the night.

IMG_9077

The second dish was some sort of curry chicken which was served with a deliciously creamy risotto and paired with a wine that I can’t remember but definitely did not knock my socks off. I did like the risotto in this dish, and the flavor of the chicken was really good, too.

IMG_9079

The third dish was a beef selection, which was good, but again, nothing spectacular. It was paired with a red wine (again, not sure which one it was) that was pretty good, too.

IMG_9082

Lastly, we were given three different desserts to judge from the Chocolate Mill. All three desserts tasted amazing, but the chocolate cake stole the show for me. Absolutely delicious.

IMG_9090

Honestly, the event was fun but slightly disorganized, so I wasn’t totally sure what was going on at different times. It really didn’t matter though, since I had a great time catching up with Kristi.

IMG_9086

If you’re local, you may recognize Kristi as the blogger behind On The Edge. Kristi and I go way back, about 15 years, from when we used to model together. I’m really hoping we get a chance to talk more soon, because we had a great time!

*****

Yesterday, after having my lazy morning and afternoon, I headed out for the evening to spend time with these amazing ladies. What began as a casual dinner out turned into a late night out dancing, and was an absolute blast. It totally brought me back to the ‘ol college days!

IMG_9093

Now this afternoon, Jay and I are heading to a birthday party for a special little guy who’s turning one! I’ll catch ya’ll later! Smile

Share This:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Yummly (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on StumbleUpon (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Related

October 16, 2011 Filed Under: Friends Tagged With: 2nd Annual HalloWine Fest, Altamont Vineyard & Winery, celebrity judge, Chocolate Mill, on the edge, Yono's Albany

About Courtney

I'm a working mom of two beautiful little boys, Lucas and Alex, and I began writing Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life in April 2010. I enjoy chronicling my love of food (healthy and indulgent!), baking, motherhood, fitness, fashion, and everything in between!

« Top 4 Apple Recipes
Jacks Turns One »

Comments

  1. Faith says

    October 16, 2011 at 1:45 pm

    Wow! That tent looked so cute decorated for fall. Sounds like a fun way to spend your time - taste testing wine and foods :)
    Reply
  2. Maria@La_Piattini says

    October 16, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    Oh I'd have to go for the curry and risotto- WOW!!
    Reply
  3. khushboo says

    October 16, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    What a fun event!...and u totally deserved to be there, sometime overly professional judges have taste buds that are too refined. I'm not so sure I would trust their opinions as I would yours!
    Reply
  4. sarah@spinach and spice says

    October 16, 2011 at 1:57 pm

    What fun! Good food, good friends, good wine... makes for a great night!
    Reply
  5. Heather says

    October 16, 2011 at 2:16 pm

    What's great event! It really is amazing what blogging can offer to you!
    Reply
  6. Pamela says

    October 16, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    HalloWine Fest sounds like a blast! I wish we had something like that in my area! I love all of the fall decorations. :)
    Reply
  7. Chelcie of Chelcie's Food Files says

    October 16, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    Sounds like you had a lot of fun! those desserts look so yummy:)
    Reply
  8. Lena says

    October 16, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    I love the look of those tents, very festive. I've always wanted to treat myself to a nice dinner and wine pairing, so its so cool you got to judge one. Impromptu girls nights are always great, too
    Reply
  9. Kristen @ notsodomesticated says

    October 16, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    Yum I would have loved judging just for the amazing desserts!! Looks like you had a great time!
    Reply
  10. Mallory @ It's Only Life says

    October 16, 2011 at 3:24 pm

    what a fun evening! ive always wanted to be the food judge or something, like on iron chef... haha
    Reply
  11. Brittany says

    October 16, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    That sounds like so much fun to be a judge! What a great experience. Have fun at the birthday party :)
    Reply
  12. Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says

    October 16, 2011 at 3:59 pm

    Looks like a fun evening! Maybe next year they'll be a little more organized? Either way, you can't go wrong when there's food & wine involved! :-)
    Reply
  13. Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says

    October 16, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    What a fun opportunity!! I'd be all about this - good wine and good food sounds right up my alley! I love your scarf by the way!
    Reply
  14. Sweet and Savvy says

    October 16, 2011 at 4:36 pm

    SOunds like a ton of fun! Congrats on becoming an official celeb :)
    Reply
  15. Lauren @ Chocolate, Cheese and Wine says

    October 16, 2011 at 4:51 pm

    HalloWine? That is so cute! I am anxious to go to another wine tasting.
    Reply
  16. Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says

    October 16, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    That is still sooooo exciting! I'm glad it was such a success- that chocolate cake and wine just make any evening perfect! WOW!!! :)
    Reply
  17. katie Carso says

    October 16, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    I have to say, that would be pretty cool to do! How awesome they even had you featured in the pamphlet ! Happy Sunday! : )
    Reply
  18. Annette@EnjoyYourHealthyLife says

    October 16, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    Those desserts look SO good! YUMM.
    Reply
  19. Jess @ Jess Go Bananas says

    October 16, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    That's is sooo cool! Pshh...you're totally a celeb! You and Jay's name could be Couray! lol
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      October 16, 2011 at 9:17 pm

      LOL!
      Reply
  20. Claire says

    October 16, 2011 at 8:48 pm

    You are such a beauty!! Congrats, celebrity ;-) Looks like it was lots of fun!
    Reply
  21. Hope says

    October 17, 2011 at 8:07 am

    That looks like such an awesome event! So cool that you were a judge! :) I am jealous of your hair. It's so pretty!
    Reply
  22. Shannon says

    October 17, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Those chocolate desserts look so delicious! Now I really want chocolate cake. Yum! I haven't read your blog in a while; I used to read in January or February- way back when but then school overwhelmed me and I cut back on my blog intake. I need to back to STSL! It's such a great blog.
    Reply
    • Courtney says

      October 17, 2011 at 9:57 pm

      Thanks so much, Shannon! So glad to have you back reading. Welcome! :)
      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sweet Tooth Sweet Life
Court Profile CircleI'm Courtney, a 30-something wife and working mom living in upstate NY. I'm a food lover, fitness enthusiast, baker extraordinaire and lover of all things sweet.
  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

  • A Little Living Room Makeover
  • The Five F’s {3/12}
  • My Last 10 Favorite Amazon Purchases
  • Fun Facts Friday – The Five F’s

Courtney’s Recipe Picks!

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Subscribe to Sweet Tooth by Email!

Instagram

Instagram did not return a 200.

Follow Me!

  FitFluential Is Fitness Found 
  
 

Categories

Archives

Disclaimer

I am not a registered dietitian, or certified fitness expert. The purpose of my blog is to share my own personal knowledge, opinions, and experiences with food, fitness, and life. My Privacy Policy can be found HERE.

Content Marketing Editorial Calendar For WordPress

WordPress Support & Maintenance provided by WP Site Care

· Copyright © 2023 Sweet Tooth Sweet Life ·