A Spicy Perspective

KOHLER Food & Wine Festival

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Some things are too good to keep to yourself… like the Kohler Food & Wine Experience.

Sorry if it sounds like I’m bragging today, but I’ve just got to tell you about my latest trip.

The American Club - Kohler, Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

Several weeks ago I had the opportunity of visit Kohler, Wisconsin for the annual Food and Wine Festival hosted by The American Club.

Kohler, Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

The village of Kohler was started as a planned community by the KOHLER Company back in 1912. One hundred years later, it remains a cozy little village with a “Downtown USA” feel.

Kohler, Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

I adored walking the picturesque tree-lined streets from Kohler’s 5 Star Resort, The American Club, to the Shops at Woodlake where many of the festival events took place.

Kohler Food & Wine Experience - Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

Even without the festival, The American Club is a destination all to itself.

The American Club - Kohler, Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

Previously unbeknownst to me, it is the home of Whistling Straits and Blackwolf Run, two highly sought-after golf courses.

Kohler, Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

When Lt. Dan found out I was going to The American Club, he hung his head in despair. Finally, in a voice barely distinguishable, he uttered, “But you don’t even play golf!”

Poor guy. I’ll have to take him along next year.

Kohler Waters Spa - Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

Kohler is also the home of the renowned Kohler Waters Spa.

I had the pleasure of experiencing an aromatic “Bourbon on the Rocks” Pedicure and my very first Harmony Bath, a body scrub/massage performed with high powered water jets.

It sounds rigorous, but was very relaxing.

Kohler Waters Spa | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

With multiple dining locations, The American Club is a haven for gourmandes. We ate at several fantastic restaurants, on top of the abundant nibbles from the festival sessions.

I did not go hungry on this trip.

Kohler Food & WIne | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

As for the Kohler Food & Wine Experience, it was truly unique.

Kohler Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

I have been to my fair share of Food and Wine festivals around the country. What Kohler offers is definitely an “experience” more than a festival.

Kohler Food & Wine Experience | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

In every session, we tasted all the dishes prepared by celebrity chefs and had the opportunity to gush over them meet them in person.

Here Julie from The Little Kitchen and I, met the stars of America’s Test Kitchen.

Kohler Food & Wine Experience | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

I have been a fan of Christopher Kimball from the first time I got my hands on a Cook’s Illustrated Magazine. He is just as funny and knowledgeable in person as he is on the show.

Kohler Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

Bridget Lancaster and Jack Bishop were completely delightful as well.

Kohler Food & Wine Festival | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

I also sat in cooking sessions with Lidia Bastianich and Anne Burrell. Their teaching styles were very different, but both extremely enjoyable… and delicious!

Anne Burrell - Kohler Food & Wine Festival | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

Throughout the weekend I sipped and swirled, nibbled and munched, and tasted my way into a state of euphoria, with Wisconsin-made artisan cheeses and wines from celebrated wine makers.

Kohler Food & Wine Festival | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

And I ate chocolate. Lots of chocolate.

Kohler Food & Wine Festival | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

But my greatest thrill of the entire weekend, was not the celebrities, fine wines, and extravagant food.

Kohler Design Center | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

What really took my breath away was the Kohler Design Center.

…I could live there.

Kohler Design Center | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

Let me rephrase that. I want to live there.

Kohler Design Center | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

KOHLER, please let me live there!

Kohler Design Center | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

The Kohler Design Center showcases all of Kohler’s newest innovations in an elegant and artful way.

Kohler Design Center | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

Each little nook is a whole new experience.

Each little room, a refuge from the stress of busy life.

Kohler Design Center | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

The grand showpiece of the Design Center is the back wall, an art-deco display of various fixtures.

If only my toilets looked so good.

Kohler Design Center | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

I meandered through a museum below the design center that told Kohler’s story.

Kohler Design Center | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

The history of KOHLER, from its early beginnings in farm equipment through generations of home goods, is a beautiful tale of art and evolution.

Kohler Design Center | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

Overall I was thoroughly impressed.

By the Town.

Kohler Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

By the Company.

Kohler Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

By The American Club.

Kohler Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

And by the Festival.

Kohler Wisconsin | ASpicyPerspective.com #travel

If you are making plans to travel to a Food and Wine festival in 2013, I highly recommend this one!

 (Instagram Shot – Me all gussied up and in a Kohler tub.)

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21 comments on “KOHLER Food & Wine Festival”

  1. Hi! I’m glad you enjoyed your experience! I live in a nearby city and work at the Sports Core in Kohler. It is a fitness and tennis club. The Ryder Cup is coming to Whistling Straits in 2020!!! Maybe another visit? If you need any recommendations I’d be glad to help!

  2. Pingback: Kohler Food and Wine Experience

  3. Pingback: Kohler Food & Wine Experience 2013 | Gimme Some Oven

  4. What a fun trip! Love all the pics – thanks for sharing your experience!

  5. What an amazing experience! Oh and you are looking pretty great in that tub!

  6. This looks amazing! I just wrote about them for a travel story and I haven’t been :(. You’re a lucky woman!

  7. What a amazing event~ Glad you had a great time, love the last shot!!

  8. What a fabulous event Sommer!!

  9. Wow, that was an impressive trip, Sommer! I just got back from the Four Seasons in St Louis for the Kingsford Invitational and I was thinking how nice the accommodations were…after looking at your trip, the Four Seasons was like a Motel 6! (ha ha, just kidding, great place but your trip was amazing!)

  10. I have heard such wonderful things about Kohler, the place. And I’ve always admired Kohler products, they’re gorgeous. What a fabulous experience! (And you look gooooooood all gussied up in that tub.)

  11. looks like a fabulous time, you are beautiful!
    I just love that old fashioned green sink…love love love it!

  12. Wow…looks like such a fun trip. If Kohler agrees to let you move in, can you ask if you can bring a friend? I’d be in heaven there! So glad you had a blast.

  13. This makes me sad that I never went to Kohler when I lived in Wisconsin–it looks awesome! Love seeing all your pictures, too. :)

  14. Fabulous!!! Love it all, Sommer. Food and people and Kohler!

  15. How fun, what a gorgeous setting! I’m with you on the design center – I could move in!

  16. Looks like an amazing trip Sommer!

  17. A glass of red wine on a chilly evening is the one thing I’ve been missing lately during this pregnancy. It was great to live vicariously through your tour!

  18. This looks like a completely amazing experience. Great shots, Sommer!