What a treat I have for you today! I spent a few days in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, with an incredible group of people, and I cannot wait to tell you about it!
This was my first time attending theย 13th Fresh Air Retreat, and I was blown away by how thoughtfully it was put together. Liz from The Lemon Bowl and Lauren from The Curious Plate made every moment feel intentional! From the incredible group of women they brought together, to the relaxed, collaborative atmosphere they created.
We were spoiled with delicious meals by Chef Trimell, beautifully styled tables, and refreshing drinks. Having Amanda Kamppinen there to capture it all allowed us to stay present and focus on learning. I left feeling inspired, supported, and so thankful for the friendships and insights shared over those three days.
Spending time with Liz from The Lemon Bowl was nothing short of energizing. Sheโs bubbly, full of life, and has this magnetic mix of passion and drive thatโs absolutely contagious.
Lauren from The Curious Plate has a gift for making people feel truly cared for. Her attention to detail was incredible. From the thoughtfully styled tablescapes to the fresh flowers at every meal, everything she touched felt personal and intentional.
Liz and Lauren complement each other so well, and together they created an environment that was both inspiring and nurturing. As women, weโre so often in the role of caring for others, and this was one of the few times I can remember feeling genuinely pampered. That feeling of being looked after was something beautifulโand something Iโll always remember.
Attendees
I've included everyone's Instagram handle below because you are absolutely going to wait to follow these talented ladies!
- Annie Holmes fromย Sweet Peas and Saffron
- Monique Volz fromย Ambitious Kitchen
- Hetal Vasavada fromย Milk and Cardamom
- Eden Passante fromย Sugar and Charm
- Elizabeth Van Lierde fromย Everyday Elizabeth
- Liz Thomson fromย I Heart Vegetables
Sponsors
Mediavine
We had the opportunity to sit down with the team at Mediavine for an open conversation about ad strategy, revenue goals, and the unpredictable digital landscape. They shared valuable insights on optimizing content while maintaining a positive user experience.
I know ads arenโt always a readerโs favorite part of recipe websites, but theyโre what allow us to offer high-quality content completely free. Their insighs and actionable tips for optimizing content were incredibly valuable.
Grocers List
Meeting Ben, the founder of Grocers List, was a highlight. He walked us through some of the newest features on the platform, including Amazon's deeplink capabilities, which make it easier than ever to share products with readers. I currently use Grocers List to send recipes directly to my audience via Instagram (the just comment โrecipeโ feature) and a link lands in your inbox. It's streamlined, smart, and created specifically with food bloggers in mind.
Happy Egg
Happy Egg hosted an informative (and delicious!) session on the differences between egg types. They offer organic, free-range, pasture-raised, and heritage breeds, and we learned the difference between each one. Iโve been a longtime fan, so it was wonderful to learn more about their commitment to ethical farming and supporting over 100 caring family farms. We learned a lot about the farming process, including how happy hens outside make those beautiful, shiny yolks!
Chef Trimell showcased their rich, orange yolks in several standout dishes during the retreat, it is *so* hard to choose but I think my favorite was the soft-boiled crispy eggs served with country ham and jalapeรฑo jelly.
Sabrina Loyer
Sabrina, a creative social media coach, led us through a peaceful and reflective meditation that served as a reset and a reminder to reconnect with our creative energy. Her thoughtful approach to content creation sparked great conversation and encouraged us to lean into our unique voices.
Iโm incredibly grateful for the time and intention each sponsor brought to the retreatโit truly elevated the entire experience.
Community Over Competition
A true highlight of the retreat was theย problem-solving lightning roundโa session designed to exchange ideas, tackle challenges, and learn from one another in real time. Each participant had a few minutes to present a hurdle they were facing, followed by quick, thoughtful feedback from the group. It was fast, energizing, and so inspiring.
What stood out most was the spirit of openness. Instead of guarding strategies, everyone leaned in with honesty and a desire to help. It was a powerful reminder that growth happens faster when we lift each other up.
The Food
One of the highlights of the retreat was, of course, the food! Chef Trimell did not disappoint. Every meal he prepared was thoughtful, flavorful, and beautifully presented. From a colorful Thai-inspired lunch to an elegant five-course dinner, he brought so much creativity to the table.
Itโs tough to pick a favorite dish, but the unique mango salad for lunch and the amazing frittata for breakfast have come to mind often! Enjoying incredible meals while connecting with other creatives made the whole experience feel extra special.
On a personal note, getting to know Chef Trimell was such a joy. He has this warm, grounded energy that immediately puts you at ease. Beyond his talent in the kitchen, heโs genuinely kind and thoughtful, and spending time with him was an unexpected highlight of the retreat.
Charming Charleston
Charlestonโs food scene is something special, and we were lucky enough to explore it with a few memorable meals. After a rooftop happy hour at The Vendue, we headed toย Frannie & The Foxย for dinner, where everythingโfrom the pesto pizza to the whipped ricotta meatballsโwas perfect for sharing.
We also had lunch on Sullivanโs Island atย Sullivanโs Seafood & Bar, hosted by Explore Charleston. The shrimp fried rice was a standout bite, but those hushpuppies are living rent-free in my mind! It was such a treat to experience the cityโs charm through its restaurants, and fun to revisit some familiar spots from past trips!
The entire retreat felt like the reset I didnโt know I needed. It can be hard to step away from the day-to-day demands of work and family, but investing in this time was completely worth it.
I left feeling recharged, inspired, and more connected to my purpose and peers than ever before. From the thoughtful details and unforgettable meals to the honest conversations and genuine friendships, every part of the Fresh Air Retreat was intentional and impactful.
If youโre a food creator looking for space to grow, reflect, and connect with others who truly get itโI canโt recommend applying to Fresh Air Retreat enough.
