#PoppyBarleyFeast: Win 1 0f 10 Copies of Kitchen Confidence

As we shared with you yesterday, we collaborated with Kelsey Nixon--chef, television host of the Food Network's Kelsey's Essentials, and author behind Kitchen Confidence. We made Kelsey the Blue Jean Baby Classic Ankle Booties, and as she wore them on The Rachael Ray Show a few weeks ago, we made her the best promise ever: to take one day, mid-week, to throw a potluck-style #PoppyBarleyThanksgiving at Kendall's house using Kelsey's new cook book (it's Thanksgiving in Canada this weekend!). Below, we've documented all the dishes we made and how they turned out. But you can get in on this too: we're giving away 10 copies of Kitchen Confidence! There are two ways to enter: 1) Share a photo on Instagram of your Thanksgiving long weekend feast using the hashtag #PoppyBarleyFeast. We'll be randomly selecting FIVE winners next week and shipping you a copy of Kitchen Confidence. 2) Comment on this blog post and let us know what you'll be cooking this weekend! We'll be randomly selecting ANOTHER five winners and shipping you a copy of Kitchen Confidence, too! And now: here's what went down at our #PoppyBarleyThanksgiving... Appetizer One: Sweet Pepper Poppers from Kitchen Confidence Prepared by: Monica, Brand Design Manager How successful were you? Everyone loved them! Cheesy, flavourful deliciousness. Love the colourful peppers—made for an exciting appetizer. Totally worth the effort. Anything you would do differently with your dish next time? I think I'd be careful with the amount of salt added. And get people to eat them more immediately out of the oven so they were still piping hot (and I blame our documenting efforts for the delayed eating) Commentary on the overall meal: "Well, this is the first time I've ever gone back for a second round of brussels sprouts."

Appetizer Two: Antipasti Bruschetta from Kitchen Confidence Prepared By: Caroline, Community Manager How successful were you? I think it was de-lish - but food styling is hard - especially when you're hungry! If I had more patience, I think I'd chop all the ingredients up more finely, and take more time on presentation. Anything you would do differently with your dish next time? I would make this again in a heartbeat (I would just eat appetizers every meal, if I could!). Next time, I would definitely add the Truffle Oil option. I didn't this time because it was a hard ingredient to track down, but I think it would've added an extra-oomph! Commentary on the overall meal: Awesome! Also: what better way to spend a work-day than cooking together? Side Dish One: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Lemon, Pancetta and Parmesan by Kelsey Nixon on the Cooking Channel Prepared By: Daelan, Tech Lead How successful were you? It was good, people liked it, Caroline chanted my name. Anything you would do differently with your dish next time? More Fancy Bacon (Pancetta). Commentary on the overall meal: "I'm now the Founder, CEO and CTO of the #tossinbrussels hashtag." Side Dish Two: Twice Baked Potatoes from Kelsey Nixon's Easy Thanksgiving Menu on the Cooking Channel Prepared By: Lauren, Customer Experience Coordinator How successful were you? I would say pretty successful, based on my lack of cooking skills! Is there anything you would do differently with your dish next time? Scoop out a little more of the potato so it is a thinner layer of potato shell, which will allow more room for the stuffing. Commentary on the overall meal: "Absolutely delicious! And very enjoyable." Main: Herb-Butter Roasted Turkey from Kitchen Confidence Prepared By: Justine, Co-founder

How successful were you? It was my first turkey, so it was a learning experience. For example, I didn't know that you had to rub the sauce under the skin. (It is a weird feeling lifting up a turkey's skin.) I thought the herb butter was great, but my turkey was only mediocre, as it was slightly dry due to being overcooked.

Is there anything you would do differently with your dish next time? I would chop the ingredients (butter, herbs, onions etc.) for the cavity more finely.

Commentary on the overall meal: "I would have these folks make me dinner again."

Extras + Dessert: Baked Sausage, Apple and Pear Dressing (stuffing for us Canadians!) from Kitchen Confidence, and the Apple Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce by Kelsey Nixon on the Cooking Channel (too delicious to pass up!) Prepared By: Kendall, Co-founder

How successful were you? My stuffing suffered slightly due to lack of oven space. I made it early in the morning before everyone arrived and reheated. (Note to self: future dream kitchen will have double ovens). The turkey, brussels sprouts and potatoes took oven priority.

Is there anything you would do differently with your dish next time? Next time, I'd use the full-fat Italian sausage that Kelsey lists in recipe instead of trying to make a healthier version with turkey sausage. (Seriously, the calories I saved us in the dressing were insignificant in the overall meal!)

Commentary on the overall meal: So many dishes. We forgot to say thanks. This will be a Poppy Barley tradition. Already excited for next year.

To wrap up the week--like we do every Friday--here's our Poppy Barley Weekly 20 update:

• Our Poppy Barley popup shops are booking up fast! In Calgary, 75 of 96 appointments have been filled. Book here. In St. Albert, 15 of 16 appointment have been filled. Book the last spot here. Reminder to both locations: we welcome walk-ins! And details on Toronto and Vancouver will be released soon.
• If you're going to be in Paris, Kentucky on Oct. 18th, go to Tiffany Mitchell's Instagram feed right now - we have a huge, beautiful, exciting collaboration coming up. Food-themed, too!
• Thanks for all the amazing feedback on our Men's CollectionSurvey! We've had more than 250 people fill it out - and we want more!
• Get a taste for what happened at the #FoundersAssembly from one attendee, Jenna, in this honest post at Polished Plum.
• Plus-size fashion blogger Karyn Johnson from Killer Kurves styled her boots beautifully on her blog yesterday - see her photos featuring The Savannah Hill Boot.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada, from the Poppy Barley team, Edmonton and puppy Whip!