So many have asked me to share about my Chicago experience at Kraft Foods. I can say that Kraft really did it right!
Along with these fabulous women – Kim, Dawn, Janice, Rachel, Elizabeth, Silvia and Liz – we were invited to come and tour the Kraft Foods facility. I’d say that my time was incredibly exciting, but also very enlightening.
What I learned during this Kraft Kitchens Blogging Event was that Kraft Foods does more than provide food nation-wide. Kraft Foods cares about the families.
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They care so much that they set up this first-time event, inviting 8 mom-bloggers to tour their facility. They wanted to ask us what we want in food items. Â What we need for our kids. Â What would make cooking easier for us. What would help promote “family” and “meal time.” Â They cared about our pocketbooks and they listened when we talked healthy living. But what I really loved was how they treated us, as if we were their family.
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The goal of the Kraft Foods team was to get behind my eyes – as a busy mom of 3 teens – and to brainstorm. Â To find ways that Kraft could make my life easier as a mom.
Of course we had a bit of fun in the kitchen. (Silvia from Mama Latina Tips, and Dawn from Because I Said So)
And fun with great friends. (Rachel from A Southern Fairytale and Janice from 5 Minutes for Mom)
Whipping up some tasty foods, we all got in on the cooking. (Liz from This Full House and Elizabeth from Busy Mom, and Kim from Mommy Knows)
And sit for a delicious meal, that we all cooked! (click on the picture below – look at my plate of food! I had to try it all!)
Then we got to sample products.
And do more tasting.
Shop the store.
And end on a positive note: A roundtable discussion where I felt my opinion was valued as a wife, mother, entertainer, and consumer.
Oh, and did I mention that I was able to meet the CEO of Kraft Foods? Irene Rosenfeld came and toured the kitchen while we were cooking up a storm!
I sure think differently now when I think about Mac and Cheese. I think of the “family” behind the product and that really brings me comfort!
So thank you, Kraft Foods friends and family, you really did it right!
(As I was invited to take part in this event, my travel and accommodations were provided; however, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments. Thank you Todd Rosenberg, for sharing your photography with us! And thanks to the team who brought us – Bob, Lisa, Armin, Sarah, Kelley, Andy, Holly, Jen and Sage. And to the Culinary team – John, Marianne, Harry, Tracy, and Jennifer! I loved my dinner-talk with Claire, and of course we can’t leave out Edelman friends – Teresa, Jessica and Danielle and a big hug to Jessi!)
Hi, I'm Sandy. Five years ago I stocked up on beautiful glasses from the Dollar Store. As I started writing about dinner parties, I realized that this "icon" portrays a great message. 
I want to share with you some of my favorite places to visit in blog-land, sites that I learn from and am inspired by, and some beautiful friends that I’ve met over the years.
What a terrific post Sandy!
It was great to be part of the Kraft family for a day.
You are so right. Kraft food IS more than mac & cheese!
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How cool is that? I LOVE that they did this and that they want to provide for real needs…..good on them!! How encouraging.
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I dare say how many times I have taken that little blue box of mac and cheese for granted. I am encouraged to know that Kraft is all about families too! They are like the "Mother Ship" for all of us mommies.
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I've learned so much more about Kraft just since I've been blogging, and considering that I have stockpiles of their products (using my coupons, of course) including 20 bags of shredded cheese in my freezer right now…yes, 20…all from Kraft.
So fun to see the trip through your sweet eyes.
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How fun! I would love to do this if the opportunity ever came up! Plus, Chicago is fairly close!
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Sandy,
This looked like so much fun.
I so enjoyed reading about it.
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Wow! Sounds like a LOT of fun.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
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It was SUCH a spectacular time!
I agree 100% with everything you said! I'm still working on my post.. you know, after catching up on cleaning and laundry LOL.
MWAH!
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Glad to hear Kraft has their ears open for *real* families' opinion. I get their food and family magazine, and while it is kraft-based ingredients, I love that it's realistic to my kitchen, my budget and my time constraints.
Looks like you had a whole LOT of fun!
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Fantastic post! I just wrote to Kraft this week, who knew?
Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
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I absolutely LOVE my Kraft Food & Family Magazine. The best tool in my kitchen!!
Thanks for sharing…what an amazing opportunity!
XOXO
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Thanks for sharing you exsperience with us. I have one queston… Did you get to keep the apron?LOL
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Great recap, Sandy! I had such a fantastic time and loved getting the chance to cook (and eat) with you, along with all the fine folks at Kraft.
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How very cool. What an awesome opportunity!!
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What a fun time! Looks like you had a blast, and even better you had a chance to be heard as a mom and a consumer. Yay Kraft for doing that!
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How wonderful! What an enjoyable post. Thanks Sandy!
~Blesings to you, ~Melissa
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sounds like a fabulous experience! i think you're the perfect choice to provide useful feedback to kraft, but i'm still envious.
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Wow Sandy!
I thought this was a trip for fun; you gals did some work for Kraft. Way to go!
I believe you all were the right gals to assist them in this new endeavor, too. Kudos to you!
Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us.
Peace.
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What a terrific post. Your opinion will be a valuable asset to Kraft. As a former market researcher, you are an influencer my friend and you are who they need to tap!!!!
Cynthia
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Looks like you had a great time. I knew you'd do great.
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Sandy, how exciting that you got to participate in the Kraft kitchen. What fun you all must have had, big congrats on being chosen for that. I'm so behind on my blog reading, it's so hard to keep up.
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What a fun experience Sandy! Love the great photos of you cooking! :0)
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What a cool opportunity, Sandy!!!!
Hope you are well. I've been sorely out of touch…
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Great post Sandy! I miss you already my friend. It was a lot of fun to prepare the appetizers with you
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A big hug right back at you
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You are the perfect person to be part of the team chosen to view Kraft.
Your enthusiasm is contagious and I'll be they loved having you there.
Thanks for sharing the fun!
deb meyers
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Don't you just love it when a company values your opinions, especially as a mother? It makes me respect them that much more!
Sandy, did Kraft contact you for this event, or is there somewhere I can go to learn more about a future Kraft event? This is right up my alley and would be awesome to be a part of!
Glad you had a terrific time!
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That looks like a really cool trip! like your blog page. I'm new to blogging but I am really enjoying it!
Have a great day!
Kimmie
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That was so much fun!
Makes me miss y’all more! <3
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I love the layout of your blog! Totally creativ
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