PEACH DISH: PART II
Earlier this week, we gave you a behind-the-scenes test kitchen tour of PeachDish, a southern-infused, internationally-inspired meal delivery service based in Atlanta, Georgia. While Part I highlighted the careful planning and prep of each package, Part II is a peek in to our very own delivery! The two recipes were so simple yet creative and flavorful. Our favorite part was how each farm source was listed within the recipe guide. See all of the wonderful creations below:
“OUR STORY BEGINS WITH HARDWORKING FARMERS AND PASSIONATE ARTISANS. TOGETHER WE’RE UNCOVERING A NEW SOUTHERN CULINARY HISTORY.”
“WE DRAW INSPIRATION FROM INGREDIENTS THAT ARE LOCAL AND SEASONAL. SIMPLY PUT, WE BELIEVE IN FOOD THAT IS GOOD, CLEAN AND FAIR. ”
“EVERY BOX IS AN ADVENTURE, AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT RECIPES FROM THE SOUTH AND BEYOND. ”
“WE BELIEVE THAT COOKING AND SHARING A MEAL WITH LOVED ONES IS ONE OF THE MOST PLEASURABLE THINGS IN LIFE. ”
PEACH DISH: PART I
This week we are SO very excited to bring you a two-part post with our friends at PeachDish! What is PeachDish? They are a national meal-delivery service that every week offers four different seasonally-inspired meals. Two are vegetarian, and two are animal protein-based and each package includes two servings of two of the week’s delicious meals. Feeding more than two people? You can amp up your quantities of one or both meals and there are no membership fees as you only pay when you receive a delivery.
For Part I, we got a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour and sat down with PeachDish President, Judith Winfrey, to discuss the ins and outs of creating this successful Atlanta-based business.
Tell us your name: Judith Winfrey, President and Owner of PeachDish.
Hometown + current city: Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.
Inspiration for managing your own business? Sharing good food with the world. We are a business comprised of people who love good food and community. We exist to share quality recipes, ingredients and dishes with you. We have a goal of serving 400,000 good meals a week and want to show the world the best that the south has to offer – chefs, artisans, farmers, and makers.
What drives you? Authenticity.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of beginning PD? Working with the brilliant, dedicated team of professionals who share their joy and passion with PeachDish every week. It is humbling to lead such a talented team of bad-asses who care so deeply about giving our customers an outstanding experience. From our Chef, to our Ops Manager, to our packers, to our tech team, our photographer, our customer service and marketing teams. Everyone brings their A-game and they are genuinely motivated by the idea of sending quality to your door.
Additionally, hearing from people whose lives have been improved because of the quality product we offer. We introduce them to incredible new culinary experiences. We share thoughtful ingredients and intelligent techniques. We make their lives easier, healthier, fresher, more convenient and delish. We help them face life’s changes, challenges and difficulties with grace. When I get a letter from a mother of two whose husband has recently had a stroke, or a family with an autistic son who loves to cook and looks forward to PD every week, or a newlywed who feels emboldened by the culinary confidence PeachDish imparts, it touches my heart and lets me know I’m doing the work I’m meant to be doing.
Photos: (c) Haley Sheffield Photography. Pictured: President Judith Winfrey, Chef Seth Freedman, Photographer Lizzy Johnston, Marketing Coordinator Caroline Clements and IFF co-founder, Tess Harper.
OCMULGEE TRADERS: GOOD FOOD FOR GOOD PEOPLE
As you can see from our recent posts, we love Macon. And although we have a handful of Atlanta-centered posts on the horizon, we couldn't wait another minute to share about one of our go-to spots, Ocmulgee Traders. Nestled on Poplar Street in downtown Macon, the business combines an upscale urban grocery market with an upstairs cafe and bar.
The city-meets-country interior design along with the colorful collection of produce + artisan products is swoon-worthy enough but more importantly Ocmulgee Traders represents another step in the right direction for downtown as they become a more vibrant, sustainable community.
Maconite (and all-around good guy), Steve Bell, owns the store with his wife, Laura.
The store is bountiful in #GeorgiaGrown + #MaconMade products.
King of Pops + beer growlers for your more indulgent days.
FINE FEATHERED FRIEND: SUSANNAH
At IFF, our mission is to showcase the movers, shakers and makers in health throughout Georgia. Our friend Susannah Maddux, founder of Goods Public Relations and an instructor at Hometown Yoga, is one of those said shakers. The thing we love most about Susannah is her authenticity -- from her work as Macon's biggest cheerleader to her passion for public health -- she is truly a bright light to everyone she encounters! Read below about her love for yoga, Macon (did we mention it's Cherry Blossom season) and soon-to-be motherhood.
Tell us your name: Susannah Maddux, Founder of Goods Public Relations + yoga instructor at Hometown Yoga.
Hometown + Current city: Monroe, NC / Macon, GA
Inspiration for managing your own biz? For myself: My first boss Allison Beale, my sister, and all the women in the world who wake up every day and change the world. For others: Be flexible and eager to learn from others; ask for help; collaborate often; find a mentor; create and know your team of support; learn from failure; reinvent when necessary; laugh at yourself; show gratitude to others; make time to let go and nourish your creativity; try things.
What is the goal of your company? Short: To get in on and share a good thing when I spot it. Long: To promote and tell the story of small business, brand, or cause via thoughtful, detail-oriented efforts.
What makes you tick: Serving others, collaboration to create good, diversity and inclusiveness, brilliant design, grand vision with obvious fruits, faith, yoga, thoughtful PR, beautiful music, preserving history, storytellers and their stories, artists and their art, selfless people, passionate people, the pursuit of a perfect playlist, NYC, travel, good coffee, shiny things.
Mantra: No day but today.
Best indulgence: Dark chocolate, red wine, a book + a bath… and the occasional new handbag or Alexis Bittar earring.
Health trend you are loving: The local + real food movement.
Describe yourself in one word: Lively!
Preferred pose: Currently: all hip openers. For life: Backbends and Savasana.
How has practicing yoga influenced you? I've been practicing for ten years. Yoga gives me better breath, more space, and releases worry. It makes me shake it out and feel less crazy. It is an absolute must.
What is your go-to source for pregnancy info? What to Expect When You’re Expecting and my mom + sister guidebook.
What moment are you most looking forward to as a mother? Giving more love.
LIFT. TONE. BURN.
Have you been to the barre lately? The past few years, the ballet body has made a resurgence and rightly so due to the rigorous but results-driven workout behind it. Pure Barre is a total body workout that utilizes the ballet barre to perform small isometric movements which proves to be one of the fastest, most effective ways to change your body. But beyond the trend, we wanted to learn more about all that PB can offer. Read below for the interview with our friend, Whitney Berry, owner at Pure Barre Macon.
Tell us your name:
Whitney Berry
Inspiration for starting your own biz?
My Dad is a small business owner and from an early age, it has always been my dream to own my own business. Having the opportunity to see him have a positive effect on the lives of others, both clients and employees, was something I always admired and wanted to bring to others one day.
What is the goal of the company?
My goal with Pure Barre Macon from the beginning has been to create a fitness center that was not just about the workout, but to create a sense of family where everyone could feel welcome and be challenged to reach personal goals for themselves while bringing a great sense of well-being.
Personal mantra:
"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty and find the best in others; to leave the world a little better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived-- this is to have succeeded." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Pick a superfood:
Avocados!
Health trend you are loving:
Regular Massages
Favorite form of exercise:
Pure Barre is my absolute favorite form of exercise! I was born with a joint condition that has caused me to undergo two shoulder surgeries and limited my ability to do some workouts. When I found Pure Barre I was immediately in love, because it was the most challenging workout I had ever done. With only slight modifications I was able to complete the full workout. My love for Pure Barre began just over two years ago and I can honestly say I have never once been bored during a workout and they have not become any easier, if anything they become more challenging the longer I do them, because I have gained a better understanding of my own body and know how to push myself to achieve maximum results.
Preferred pose:
All thighs. I still find my shakes in every class!
Best piece of advice received during your pregnancy:
Stay active. It truly affects your physical and mental well-being during pregnancy. And fingers crossed will make delivery and recovery much easier as well!
HOMETOWN YOGA
Macon's health and wellness scene has recently come alive with more farm-to-table restaurant options, a producers-only farmers' market, locally-owned health food stores and a handful of yoga studios to boot. The new kids on the block, Hometown Yoga, set themselves apart by offering unique sessions such as Shake Your Asana, Hot Method and even Toddler Yoga. Owners, Rachel Gerrity and Ashley Dunwody, are a true inspiration - on and off the mat. Their passion and talent make them a dynamic duo + the perfect #GirlsBoss team to take on an IFF Q&A!
QUICK ABOUT: Hometown Yoga’s mission is to foster a vibrant, lively and diverse yoga community in Macon. We strive to do so by bringing you the best teachers in the area who are committed to teaching classic yogic principles and alignment in a manner that is accessible and relevant to all people. We are named Hometown Yoga because we are committed to the value of community. We are a community that supports one another, strengthens one another and works to make one another shine.
Co-Owner, Ashley Dunwody, in Upward Facing Dog Pose.
Tell us your name:
Rachel Gerrity and Ashley Dunwody, Owners of Hometown Yoga. We were both born and raised in Macon, Georgia and after living in different parts of the country, we are excited to be back in our hometown!
Inspiration for starting your own biz?
We were teaching yoga at several different places in the area. We were inspired by the amazing teachers and yogis we were meeting, and we wanted to create a space where we could all come together to build one community.
What makes you tick?
Rachel: My passion is in creating, whether that’s making up a silly game to play with my 15 month old daughter or developing a workshop at the studio. I am excited by the ability to come up with an idea and then see it through to creation.
Ashley: I think my passion is creating more space and capacity for love, in all areas... establishing a soft heart with more compassion for ourselves and others.
Personal mantra:
Rachel: Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ashley: Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet. - Thích Nhất Hạnh
Pick a Superfood:
Rachel: It’s not a particularly exciting one, but I swear by the power of apples and eat at least one a day. Hopefully the fact that it is usually covered in peanut butter doesn’t negate its Superfood powers!
Ashley: Kale!
Ideal indulgence:
Rachel: Teen Mom, Miley Cyrus and frozen Girl Scout Samoas.
Ashley: Pumpkin beer and chocolate.
Co-Owner, Rachel Gerrity, in Bound Revolved Side Angle Pose.
Health trend you are loving:
Rachel: Juice cleanses – now I don’t love juice cleanses while on them, but I love the way they make my body feel. We recently did a 5 day juice cleanse at the studio in coordination with Fountain of Juice. It was a very tough five days but my body has never felt better.
Ashley: Recently, doterra essential oils have been an incredible addition to my family's health care.
Preferred yoga pose:
Rachel: Wheel - I always feel energized both physically and emotionally after a good long wheel!
Ashley: I gotta say wheel, too! Deeply invigorating.
FOUNTAIN OF JUICE
Here at IFF, we can personally attest to the fact that Fountain of Juice (or FOJ, as the cool kids call it) is a breakfast, lunch and (now) dinner staple in Macon, Georgia. Most mornings we found ourselves starting the day off with a detox smoothie and returning at noon for a savory salad or their famous Grown-up Macaroni. Due to the overwhelming success at Mercer Village, they recently expanded their location to The Prado. The green juice + beautiful bounty of food was incentive enough, but a gorgeous new locale that features an after-5 menu was a deal-sealer for IFF to capture the handiwork of owner and entrepreneur, Natasha Phillips. I could go on, but I'll let her charming Q&A do all the talkin'.
QUICK ABOUT: The Del-Basso-Orsini family has become synonymous with Macon’s finest epicurean offerings for almost thirty years, and Fountain of Juice maintains the standard set forth by family inspiration. The skills of Natasha Phillips, who grew up in her mama’s kitchen, reflect the impeccable taste and unmistakable flair of her Italian family heritage. Teamed up with husband, Carl, she is carrying on the family tradition and introducing new and inventive ways to create good food.
Name: Natasha Phillips, Owner, Fountain of Juice and FOJ – an Eatery.
Inspiration for starting your own biz? I moved back to Macon from the big city of Atlanta and saw how Macon was lacking in good healthy eateries. Having grown up in the business, I jumped right on it and created such a place for initially selfish reasons.
What makes you tick? The smell of cilantro and fresh corn tortillas inspires my palate to create. Also, the smell of cloves in the fall and white chili, tomato jam, or anything pumpkin. Seasonal soothes the soul!
Personal mantra: Teamwork makes the dream work. No one is more important than the other when it comes to the final outcome! It takes a village with most things in life.
Pick a Superfood: Dragon Fruit… my newest obsession.
Favorite indulgence: French fries and cold beer 'cause ya can’t take the South out of the girl!
Health trend you are loving: B-12, I take it via inhaler. As a wife, mother of 2, and owner of 2 stores, I need all the extra energy I can get.
Favorite form of exercise: I love mixing cardio and weights - I’ve been on that ride a while. Plus, yoga!
Preferred yoga pose: Childs pose. After a butt-kicking Hot Yoga session, I crawl into that pose and exhale!
Photo: Owner Natasha Phillips and husband Carl // All images (c) of Haley Sheffield.