WENATCHEE, WA - Stemilt successfully brought together 12 popular food bloggers at its “Meet the Grower” dinner, a precursor to Seattle's International Food Bloggers Conference, and its signature Piñata® apple variety was the star of the plate.

“The 'Meet the Grower' dinner was a continuation of our work in connecting our proprietary products, like Piñata® apples, with influencers in the food world,” Roger Pepperl, Marketing Director for Stemilt, said in a press release. “It was a great evening filled with excellent food and conversation about farming, Stemilt, and up-and-coming, consumer-favorite varieties like Piñata® apples. We enjoyed helping these well-known bloggers kick off their weekend in Seattle for the International Food Bloggers Conference and sharing with them the passion our company has for growing wholesome and flavor-first fruits.”

The dinner, which was held on the eve of the conference last weekend, September 17th, took place at Beecher’s Loft, overlooking Pike Place Market and the waterfront in Seattle, Washington. According to the company, its signature Piñata® apples were the star ingredient of Chef Ericka Burke’s menu.

“This was my first time tasting and cooking with Piñata® apples and I was totally impressed,” Burke, who is also of Seattle’s Volunteer Park Cafe, Chop Shop Cafe & Bar, and Canal Market said, according to the release. “The fruit has a unique flavor profile and tropical essence that stands out, and I love that it’s grown in the Northwest. Piñata® is going to be one of my go-to apples to use in the kitchen.”

Kicking off with a warm welcome from Pepperl and fifth generation grower and Sales Director Tate Mathison, who shared some of his family’s Washington state farming history with the guests, as well as the varieties Stemilt has brought to market the last several years.

Attendees enjoyed a four-course menu including:

• A red pear and heirloom cucumber salad
• Roasted butternut squash and Bartlett pear bisque
• Pork tenderloin with celeriac puree
• White chanterelle mushrooms and candied Piñata® apple-fennel salad
• Piñata® apple pie with brown butter ice cream dessert

Bloggers documented their dining experience with Stemilt throughout the dinner by using the hashtag #stemiltfruit, as well as the company’s social media handles. Some those in attendance included Alyssa Brantley, blogger of real recipes for everyday families Everyday Maven, Lynne Feifer of Phoenix, Arizona-based 365 Days of Baking and More, and Holly Nilsson of Spend with Pennies, which features comforting family recipes, household tips, and more.

The “Meet the Grower” blogger dinner also helped kick off the new season of Piñata® apples, which we reported in our recent apple update are currently coming off the tree in Washington State, expected to be available in November.

Stemilt Growers