Eat.Drink.Dish's First Annual Faves & Maves Event
Video Credit: Foodist Films
Over the last four years, Eat.Drink.Dish has reached several milestones. From its first 1,000 followers in December of 2014, just 6 months after creating the account, to hosting events to winning City Pages Readers’ Choice Best Instagram five years in a row; what started as a way for Golnaz Yamoutpour, founder/creator, to share her love of food has turned into a local Twin Cities staple.
Last summer, the platform reached new heights when it gained 50,000 followers on Instagram! To celebrate, Yamoutpour and the Eat.Drink.Dish team wanted to host a special event honoring the restaurants/eateries and supporters that have contributed to the ever-growing platform.
However, before they knew it they were projecting to hit 55,000 before the end of the year. The account reached yet another milestone right before the date of their biggest event of the year.
On Thursday, November 8, 2018 at the InterContinental MSP Hotel, guests were treated to Eat.Drink.Dish’s Faves and Maves event. An evening filled with food, drink, music and prizes all in celebration of the Twin Cities’ thriving foodie community.
The concept was born from Yamoutpour wanting to share some of her most favorite dishes she’s encountered over the years, but also thank those restaurateurs who had been true partners.
Eat.Drink.Dish really wouldn’t be where it is today without the amazing innovative and creative food entrepreneurs we have in our cities and the support from all the food-loving restaurant-goers. - Golnaz Yamoutpour, Founder
Featured vendors ranged from St. Paul’s Can Can Wonderland to Excelsior’s Rebel Room, treating guests to flavors from all over the Twin Cities. In total, 13 restaurants and businesses were featured:
Upon arrival, guests were offered colorful and flavored cotton candy from Can Can Wonderland. Once in the room, foodies were invited to wander through the vendors, sampling Red Rabbit’s Burrata soup, Rebel Room/Red Sauce Rebellion’s kimchi hot dogs PinKU Japanese’s spicy tuna crispy rice, Smack Shack’s lobster guacamole and the sweet confections from Waffle Bar, Cardigan Donuts and Amy’s Cupcake Shoppe. The InterContinental MSP even provided guests a flavor of from both their restaurants, La Voya and Bradstreet Cafe.
Photos by Sarah Ellen Photography
DJ Sticky of the award-winning Nora Events treated guests to some lively beats, while Savour Deals (local restaurant-based app) offered an array of giveaways ranging from gift cards to restaurants and tickets to events. But, perhaps the piece-de-resistance, was the beautiful cake by The Lynhall’s Pastry Chef, Katie Elsing.
Photo Credit: Sarah Ellen Photography
In April 2019, Eat.Drink.Dish reached yet another milestone with 60,000 followers along with winning City Page’s Readers’ Choice Award for ‘Best Instagram’ for the fifth year in a row!
Food creates culture, culture creates food. All I want to do is share my foodie lifestyle with others and bring in another perspective to this lively foodie culture. If I can do that while helping local food businesses grow, why not! - Golnaz Yamoutpour, Founder
What’s next for Eat.Drink.Dish? Well, that’s all up to the Twin Cities bustling food and foodie scene. To attend our next event and stay tuned about Faves & Maves 2019, subscribe to our newsletter here and stay hungry!