2. Our Luxury Barossa Retreats

Teagan (00:35):

I really just want everybody to know how excited I am to be here sharing this with you guys today. So this episode is going to be about our Nibble + Splash retreats, which is kind of in collaboration with our podcast. The brand Nibble + Splash is sitting around having a nibble and splash with us while we talk about everything and anything. And also nibble and splash your way around the world with us in our culinary adventure retreats. So the first one's going to be our Barossa edition because it's my hometown, I have so much goodness to share and there is nothing like it to date in the Barossa Valley. So we are gonna share the inclusions. Krystal and I chat about when we went to do the mockup of the retreat and we made all the videos and the footage that you would see all on our landing page. Now because it is launched August the first and these retreats come out in May, 2025. And I know that might sound like ages away, but let me tell you, it'll be here in a Jiffy. We have payment plans, you can organize the kids to get looked after, organize puppy sitters. You can grab a friend, grab your partner. This retreat is literally for everybody. So listen in and check out everything that's included because let me tell you, we just wanna spoil you guys like nothing else.

Teagan (01:57):

So we did it again, started another business because you know we've got all the time in the world. But as I was talking about with branding Nibble + Splash, the sister brand of Vintage Chef Co. So this is gonna be our universal brand where we are bringing podcasts, retreats, a recipe book,

Krystal (02:16):

You name it, it's coming,

Teagan (02:17):

You name it, it's coming. It's like hopefully some sexy chef pants that like you can't get burnt through. Yes. But like that show you all your curves

Krystal (02:25):

That aren't the old school checkered. Yep. Black and white. It's

Teagan (02:28):

Coming. I mean, I know there's some pretty rad stuff out there now, like what the nurses wear and everything. I feel like that could probably be doubled up as chef wear. But anyway, what I'm saying is Nibble + Splash is a universal brand and this is just the beginning. So launched on August the first. This is a little bit about our retreat for anybody that likes to listen to things and hear a little bit about the idea that has been in the back of my head for a very long time. It's what you'd call a passion project.

Krystal (02:57):

Absolutely.

Teagan (02:58):

And you had to have time for a passion project.

Krystal (03:00):

We're getting there though.

Teagan (03:02):

We are getting, definitely getting

Krystal (03:03):

There. This is something I remember you telling me about years ago.

Teagan (03:06):

Yeah. Along with the cookbook and stuff like that. And so now it's all gonna be kind of brought into one.

So if you're lucky enough to be coming to our retreats, you'll be gifted an exclusive recipe book on how to host a stress-free dinner party, which will probably be the first cookbook. Um, but it'll be exclusive to the retreat members first. And you know, like it's a three day culinary adventure. So it's going to have all sorts of things related to food and wine cocktail making, but also really thinking about health and mind and body and a little bit of business in there as well. Remember we went away and we did it all for fun.

Krystal (03:48):

Oh honestly, we had the most fun few days planning and getting content for this retreat. Where do we go?

Teagan (03:56):

So Benbullen, well we went to Bali first because just on the down low there's definitely gonna be a Bali retreat, but the Barossa edition is what's gonna launch first. And Barossa is where my heart is from. It's where I was brought up, it's where Vintage Chef co started. I've got so many connections in the Barossa Valley that with all the collaborations we're having, it is literally like my dream three day retreat that I am giving to you and I'm going to host and it's going to be just so freaking awesome. So we went to Benbullen retreat and we did look at a few places and Chrissy from Z Wines, which will be collaborating with us to do some of the wine stuff, she actually mentioned this place and it could not have been more perfect when we drove in for that site visit. What did you think?

Krystal (04:47):

We just, we just knew from the minute you, I don't even think we made it up the entire driveway and it was just, this is

Teagan (04:53):

It. It's it like the views are epic. They've got brand new pavilions, so you can choose your accommodation when you book through us. So whether you want single double, so if you wanna bring a friend or your mom or your sister or your husband. And it really is for anyone this retreat. So there is gonna be a little bit about, you know, how I started the business and anyone's in the culinary field wants to come along and learn and learn how to have different revenue streams as well from being in the food industry. Like it's going to be really, really beneficial for any foodies that wanna make money from food, but it's also gonna be the most relaxing, enjoyable hands-on experience. So yeah, day one was, well we got to kind of go through it. Yes, with our friends invited our friends and we had the videographer there, the photographer there.

Teagan (05:42):

So Kristal from Makers Daughter, Jade from Fable and Fig, we pulled in friends from here and there. Your kids come and even stay the night <laugh> Vintage Chef Co meal prep for everybody. We had Matt, our catering chef out there making gnocchi live and you know, doing some cooking in the kitchen. We got to reenact kind of all the main events, which is epic. So let's talk a little bit about the inclusions on this amazing three day culinary adventure, which is actually over three nights. So you get like two full days and two nearly full days. So it's a big boy and it's gonna be full of fun. But how about you talk about the wellness side and the business side and then I talk about the fun and the food.

Krystal (06:32):

Well that's normally how this relationship works, isn't it? <laugh>?

Teagan (06:36):

I didn't think about that, but yes, it's

Krystal (06:38):

<laugh>. All right, well you, you start off with why don't you do start off with the cooking.

Teagan (06:43):

Yep. So once you arrive to the beautiful Benbullen retreat, you'll get taken to your accommodation, whichever one you choose. And some of the inclusions over the three days cooking wise will be a grazing board workshop, which I find is just so great for everybody to have. Whether it's your normal antipasto, you can do dessert ones, you can actually do grazing boards for any style and cuisine, which will be a little bit in the cookbook as well. But we're gonna have all the Barossa's finest, you know, cheeses and small goods on show and I'm gonna actually construct on how I would serve one and we can enjoy that for one of the meals as well. Of course paired with some Zed wines, we're gonna have live gnocchi making, we are going to have our dinner party and that will be out on the lawn overlooking the beautiful view and everything that's cooked at the dinner party will be in the recipe book and will be cooked live for everybody to jump in and help ask questions. The whole idea is to have our apprentices and our fulltime chefs there waiting on everybody hand and foot and really, really being transparent on how we prepare things for catering, how we would do things to save time, but also have like the best product at the end. So yeah, basically it's a live kitchen, it's gonna be amazing. I can't wait. It's just gonna be so interactive.

Krystal (08:07):

It was probably one of my favorite parts when we went and did it ourselves.

Teagan (08:11):

Absolutely. And you know, we obviously we cater for Dietaries and I remember like I was whipping up some Messiah bowls for breakfast. We are gonna have like our baker from the Cafe Sam, she's gonna come in and do fresh pastries. It's just gonna be a real food experience. And then as well as the dinner party, we're gonna also have a cocktail party because we're gonna really offer what Vintage Chef Co is all about. So we'll have a fire going, we'll have some bubbles. There'll be catering, cocktail food coming around by our staff and you know, it's gonna show you what you could do if you had a dinner party or a cocktail party or hosted an event. But also you get to be spoiled by us for the whole time and jump in if you wanna jump in, sit back and watch if you wanna watch. But it's just gonna be such a eye-opening learning adventure for people, whether you're a full-time foodie or whether you wanna learn more as well. Like I know someone like my mother-in-Law, she absolutely hates cooking, but she would love this because she'd be like, oh, is that how you make that and is that how you do that? Oh you're so clever. Teagan <laugh>. Yeah,

Krystal (09:20):

It's, it's such a cool thing to do as well watching, you know, it's a craft, cooking's a craft, it's a trade, you know, you have to, yeah, you have to go to taste

Teagan (09:29):

Stuff and everyone has to eat. Yeah,

Krystal (09:30):

Absolutely. And then

Teagan (09:32):

Entertaining is like just so boss, like it's such a fun time when you get to invite your loved ones around and you know that you can do it and not be stressed and you know, it's gonna actually save you money too if you can entertain yourself and not have to outsource. Um, but yeah, as for the food side of things as well, we are going to have signature cocktail making and with the dinner party, Chrissy from Z Wine is going to be matching the wines and you'll get to meet the wine maker, taste all of their amazing wines. I'm sure she'll pull out some of the, some of the big dogs as well, like she did the other day just for our fun day out <laugh>

Krystal (10:08):

Goodness. We were absolutely treated.

Teagan (10:10):

She is such an entertainer too.

Krystal (10:12):

We actually launched Nibble + Splash with their August blend too, which was pretty

Teagan (10:18):

Cool. Yes. Yep. August for August.

Krystal (10:21):

You've got a birthday and event in August. You definitely need a hit them up, buy some.

Teagan (10:26):

Absolutely. And yeah, we'll be having some obviously some healthier options as well for breakfast time and on the last day we'll be creating a nourish bowl. Yeah. So the, and also my biggest thing for this retreat was to teach people things like garnishes. What garnishes goes with what, why do you use certain flavors to create such a good base to a meal like celery, carrot, and onion, the base flavor to every soup, sock and sauce. Like a lot of people know that, but a lot of people don't. How and how important certain flavors are with other certain things and the methods of cookery. Why do you grill this? Why do you braise that you know how to keep things warm but not let things get spoiled. So yeah, it, it is a craft and it's something I've been working on for over 10 years now and I feel like I've learned enough and done enough to really take people on this adventure with us.

Krystal (11:20):

It's awesome. And you teach people the simple tricks on really just how to elevate your food. Exactly. You don't have to be someone that cooks every day or entertains often. You know, maybe it's your turn to have Christmas at your place. I know, I

Teagan (11:35):

<crosstalk> right now. I need to add that page to the book <laugh>.

Krystal (11:37):

I know a few years ago I did Christmas at my house and it was not long after I'd been working for you and I did a massive grazing table for it and never in my wildest dreams did I think of foraging to put, you know, a bit of missile toe and things like that. Holly down the center of the table and Christmas decorations and adding little garnishes to, I think I made a, a real pavlova as well. Oh

Teagan (12:01):

Fancy.

Krystal (12:03):

Uh, but it's just learning all those little simple tips and tricks, whether it be in the recipe book or watching one of our chefs do it live. It's, it's just a really fun, exciting thing to do.

Teagan (12:12):

Yeah. And foraging, you know, in that garden there, yes they've got olive trees that we can use. It's just there's little secret garden. We're gonna go have Bre down there one day. So yeah, that's a little bit of a hike that'll take us to the health part of it. What are we gonna do to nourish our body during this time with all the wine? Yeah,

Krystal (12:30):

<laugh>. So we've got plenty of ways to refill our cup and detoxify from any fun adventures that we have along the way. We have Rach from Temple of the Moon coming temple of her moon, sorry, coming along. She's gonna be running daily yoga sessions for those that want to jump in on those. I didn't know if I was a yoga person until we went and did a bit of promo for this retreat. I loved it. It's hard work.

Teagan (12:55):

I'm actually keen, like I was running around like a headless chicken, but I cannot wait till the actual day and I'm getting in there for sure. Yeah, you said you felt so like relaxed and loosened up afterwards. You

Krystal (13:06):

Just put you in a good mood for the day. Yeah,

Teagan (13:09):

Yeah. Start the day with some movement.

Krystal (13:11):

Yes. And then we're also gonna have, um, Kate from Salty Fin Sauna, she's gonna pop by uh, I think we're gonna do some ice baths as well.

Teagan (13:21):

Oh yeah. So I am just starting to get into these guys <laugh> and it's very optional, but I just thought, you know, we could either try it together if it's your first time or you can sit and watch people's face <laugh>. Um, but yeah, with Kate with the salty fin sauna too, she is like Finnish background so it's properly a Finnish sauna that's been like transported over here. What is that called? Mobile. Mobile Exported, exported from overseas from Yes. Like it's a proper, proper one and she goes to all the beaches around SA at the moment and people go in there and then go dip in the ocean. So that's gonna be an excellent part of our retreat as well. That's very, very special to have something like that roll up in the Barossa.

Krystal (14:04):

Absolutely. Um, and in terms of wellness as well, I know something you really wanted to do more, more mindfulness and wellness, but vision board creating, that's a huge Oh yes. Passion of

Teagan (14:14):

Yours. So on the last day I'm gonna have the most epic vision board set up ever. And this is something you and I have been wanting to do for so long. Yes. But the, the problem with us is our visions come to life before we can make the vision board correct

Krystal (14:27):

<laugh> before it goes on the board. It's happened. So

Teagan (14:29):

You're welcome <laugh>, we,

Krystal (14:30):

We need a dream bigger I feel. Yeah,

Teagan (14:32):

Yeah. So, but yeah, I'll be getting my hands dirty in that session and I cannot wait. There is going to be sequins and glue and something that you can fit in your suitcase if you're traveling, but it's gonna be something that you can remember the retreat for forever and hopefully everyone leaves so inspired to do whatever it is that sets their soul on fire when they leave.

Krystal (14:53):

I'm excited.

Teagan (14:54):

I'm excited too.

Krystal (14:55):

I wanna go make a vision board now.

Teagan (14:57):

Yeah.

Krystal (14:58):

So yeah, that's, that's sort of the yoga, the wellness, the mindfulness side of things. We're also hoping to do a little bit of a, a business day after all this has all come about because more

Teagan (15:09):

Of a business morning. Yeah,

Krystal (15:10):

Yeah.

Teagan (15:11):

And like I said, everything's optional but you know, I think there's a lot of people that might want to take some stuff home, whether it's a food business or any business, you know, we've got a lot of experience having 50 staff and all of the programs we use, like we're gonna be an open book for the whole three days. So it's definitely something that you could look at business wise if that's, you know, for growth and whatever it is that you need to put

Krystal (15:38):

Whatever you're there for. I think we'll have something for everyone, whether it is for a little bit of fun or it is for a business or even if it's for a bit of a creative outlet, we, we go and do things sometimes which have nothing to do with food, just to sort of inspire us and light that fire in your belly again. Absolutely. When you do what you do so often you always love it but you just need something to sort of spark.

Teagan (16:00):

I nearly forgot the best part as well.

Krystal (16:02):

I was waiting for it. <laugh>,

Teagan (16:04):

Were you gonna remind me? Yep. <laugh>. So on one of the days we get dressed up in whatever you want, but you know, as much as you want to get dressed up. And we are going on a tour around the Barossa of my favorite spots to Nibble + Splash, which will include Z Wines, Barossa Valley Estate Wines, and the Gin Distillery. And let me tell you, we have organized such beautiful flights and food at all those places and it will also show you a little bit of the beautiful landscape that the Barossa Valley has go down those pine, pine tree, palm tree studded roads. Uh, it's just epic. But yeah, you've gotta watch the video, you've gotta watch our promo vid. Everything we're saying will like visually come to live when you watch the promo vid.

Krystal (16:54):

So you'll be able to jump onto our website, look at that beautiful video that Kristal from Maker's daughter made for us and basically we'll have all the inclusions and everything on there. It really is for anybody, isn't it?

Teagan (17:06):

It is. So you'll be able to sign up on the website, the amazing website that Lorraine Virtual made and this page is epic. Like it's got all the inclusions, the video, I'm sure there'll be a link to this podcast that you're listening to right now. And we're even gonna ask things like, what is your coffee order? That is how bespoke this retreat is going to be. But yeah, so this retreat I feel like is for absolutely bloody anybody because we just wanna spoil you and make you feel amazing and feed you and water you <laugh> and make you grow <laugh>. So like little plants?

Krystal (17:42):

Yeah,

Teagan (17:43):

Yeah. Like honestly no age, no gender. It is just if you like eating, drinking, having fun, it is gonna be such a chilled environment. We are so good at what we do and catering for people's different personalities, different dietaries. We are just so fricking excited to bring this to life. It is not funny. Like I've got butterflies and I know that, you know, we've got a while until the actual retreat is starting being next May. But I feel like this is going to be an annual thing that is gonna be very, very popular and it's something that the Barossa Valley so badly needed because you know, we've obviously looked into it and there is nothing like this in the Barossa Valley at all.

Krystal (18:28):

It's very intimate. When we say bespoke and luxury we mean it. This isn't just your standard everyday retreat. The amount of effort and thought every last little inch of detail that's gone into this retreat is luxe.

Teagan (18:42):

So luxe, like we are talking 10 to 16 people per retreat. If we have to have 10 of them, we'll have 10 of them. Yep, absolutely. But, but there is not allowed any more than 16 people per retreat. So yeah, enjoy having a little read and looking at our fabulous videos that we had such fun making and don't worry, you might be in the next one. Thank you so much for listening everybody. If you like what you heard, please head down below, subscribe, check the show notes, follow us on socials. We'd love to hear from you and can't wait for next time.