In the past week, 3CUPS exploded throughout the southeastern US in search of great food experiences. Today we present a trio of trip reports to present what we found. First, Elaine went to New Orleans, LA under the guise of running a road race. This was just a cover for her food adventures in rural Lousiana with April McGreger. Next, Jay went to Galax, VA to visit the farm and production facilities for Foggy Ridge apple cider. This was just a cover for his food adventures in rural Virginia with April McGreger (see the theme?). Finally, Badi and Matt went to Atlanta, GA for the annual Specialty Coffee Association of America conference and exposition. While this trip was primarily for business, they did go to Decatur, GA for an excellent dinner at Cakes and Ale.

3 Southeastern Food Trips

1. New Orleans: Wine and Food Galore... I was recently in New Orleans, on a vacation, which for me is a time of focused and purposeful eating. New Orleans was a challenge- I'd never been, and the food culture of that city is solid and even a little daunting. I had ideas of what I would find there, and Cajun and Creole flavors had already made an imprint, but my expectations were built up by stories of legendary proportion, and the earnest excitement of people telling me where and what to eat and drink. Sazeracs were sampled, as was the Ramos Gin Fizz, Pimm's Cup and lots of Abita beer, and a number of nice wines as well... To read more of Elaine's trip report, click here.

To read more of Elaine's trip report click here. 

2. Galax, VA: Lost on the Mountain... Or originally, just lost in Greensboro. If you're using the (reputedly never-fail) directions to Foggy Ridge Cidery from the back of their brochure, take the via Winston-Salem route. Getting lost in the Blue Ridge mountains of southern Virginia may have added as much time to the trip as our downtown Greensboro drive-around, but that diversion was significantly less annoying. I recommend traveling with talented baked goods producers - I find it adds greatly to the enjoyment of long hours on the highway. For this trip the passenger seat was manned by April McGreger, Farmer's Daughter Brand, who made the whole day go by like it lasted for an hour. She told stories about her Mississippi (similar to my Mississippi) and talked about traditional American music, she brought along a large box of pickled green tomatoes and fried apple pies.

To read more of Jay's trip report click here.

3. Report from the SCAA in Atlanta, GA... This past weekend, Matt and I went down to Atlanta, GA to attend the Specialty Coffee Assocation of America annual conference. This is THE annual event (this year actually called "The Event") in the coffee world with representatives from Asia, Africa and many places in Latin America. It is the place to meet coffee producers, network with the coffee industry, taste the top coffees in the world and learn the latest news.

To read more of Badi's trip report, click here.