Meeting Jeni from Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

I had butterflies in my stomach, my pulse quickened and I could feel myself getting anxious.  Was I getting ready to give a presentation at work, go to the doctors or some other place which would evoke this sort of feeling?  No, I was on my way to meet a local food celebrity - Jeni of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams fame.  If you're from Columbus, you most likely know about Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams.  The creator, Jeni Britton Bauer, is like a celebrity to me.  Her ice cream is addictive and the fact she started this small company and how it's grown is impressive.  She makes the most unique ice cream flavors including Ugandan Vanilla Bean, Salty Caramel and one of my personal favorites, Goat Cheese with Cognac Figs. Yes, you read that correctly, goat cheese in ice cream.  As you can see, you're not going to find any regular mint-chocolate chip here!

I had the opportunity to take a cooking-demonstration class taught by Jeni this past month, which is what brought on the emotions listed above.  During the class she demonstrated how to make two different flavors: rose ice cream with white chocolate and almonds and an orange infused ice cream with chocolate flecks, which by the way, were amazing!  While instructing us on how to make these flavors, she discussed different aspects of herself, her company, differences between making ice cream for her stores vs. making it in smaller batches at home and the technical science behind making ice cream.  Who knew ice cream was such a complicated science? 

I generally don't allow myself to buy cookbooks because 1. I already have so many and 2. So many recipes are now available online or courtesy of my local library.  However, I considered this a special circumstance and bought a copy of her cookbook.  This would give me the opportunity to both meet her to sign it and learn how to make better ice cream at home.  Can I just say she is one of the nicest people I've ever met!  Not that I expected her to be otherwise, but she was so friendly, open and talkative to everyone there.  When it was finally my turn to meet her, I asked her what advice she'd give to someone, like myself, who might want to start a food business one day.  We spoke for a bit about my food interests and she finally said something to the point that sometimes you just have to jump in and do it.  Start out small, but start none-the-less.  So that's what I'm doing.  Every recipe I made, success or fail, is one small step towards my foodie aspirations. 

I wish her the best of luck and I know with our love of her ice cream, Jeni can count on Kevin and I to be repeat customers for years to come!  If you're lucky enough to live near one of her stores and have yet to try it out, please go, you will not regret it!

P.S.  I have already made one recipe from her cookbook.  It was honestly the best ice cream I've ever made at home.  If you enjoy making ice cream at home, I suggest buying her book. 

Here are a few pictures from the class:

Jeni Demonstrating her ice cream making skills

Meeting Jeni!