Before I divulge in all the important knowledge and lessons I learned from engage!11 :: the grand del mar, I thought I’d mention the INCREDIBLE & AMAZING DELICIOUSNESS of the FOOD!From the opening night lawn party snacking on lobster tails to the very last-minute eating Fatburger at the Gala after party, the food at engage!11 was out of this world.  The Grand Del Mar + all the other food vendors did a fantastic job providing yummy culinary delights.  Looking at all the photos again makes me hungry & I’m pretty sure I gained at least 5lbs from all the desserts!!!  (Since there were SO many different meals & snacks, I realized I need to break down the post into a couple or else I could go on for days!)A special thank you to Mel & Co. and Jessica Claire for photographing all the details.

Day One: Welcome Party

While walking into the welcome party on the Aria lawn, we were greeted by the very friendly staff (Maria was my favorite… she remembered my name even on the last night!) holding cocktails!After some mixing and mingling, I sampled some of the many other little bites: mini sliders at the Miho Gastrotruck, cinnamon sugar mini donuts, kettle korn and cotton candy from Sensational Treats, tacos, lobster tails and more!

Day Two: Dessert or Breakfast?

After an exhausting night of dancing under the stars to the entertainment by the talented Elan Artists, I made it to breakfast, which had everything from mini egg & asparagus bagel sandwiches to create-your-own omelette to pancake cupcakes and granola creme brulee! Talk about an indulging way to start off the day!Then after multiple sessions, we had a couple breaks.  At most of the conferences/seminars I’ve been to, a “break” meant leftover muffins from breakfast, over ripened fruit and some stale coffee… what was I thinking?  I’m surrounded by the best-of-the-best in event planning!Instead, our “strawberry break” included fresh plump strawberries, white chocolate & Nerd candy dipped strawberries, strawberry smoothies, yogurt, candies, macaroons, strawberry Izzes and more!For lunch we dined under an elaborate Raj Tent and feasted on crab cake sliders with radish sprouts & tobiko-lemon aioli, beer sliders with cheddar cheese caramelized red onion iceburg lettuce & chipotle aioli, cajun sweet potato fries with a blue cheese dipping sauce, homemade coleslaw in little jam jars and a blueberry pie with sweet mascarpone cream sitting on hot stones to keep it warm {see menu by Lehr and Black}.After we watched the famous Sylvia Weinstock teach us how to make sugar flowers.Then our afternoon “coffee break” had everything and anything coffee themed… Frappuccinos, chocolate covered espresso beans, Krispy Kremes drizzled in goodness, tiramisu, a latte station, the list continues.  I’m exhausted and full just thinking about all the sugar I ate!

Dinner at Cal a Vie & Day Three… TO BE CONTINUED…