RETREAT UPDATE: Food Writers' Retreat 2026
Dates to know, Progress so far & What's Next!
For those who are not privy to the event that is scheduled, the Substack Food Writers are meeting In Real Life! March 19-22, 2026, on a 27-acre estate in the Poconos. I can’t wait! If you would like to find out more, or join us, give me a shout!
ATTENDENCE
The response to the retreat was so amazing. Thank you to all of you who have decided to attend. I know each of us is incredibly excited to meet one another. As of this morning, I’ve had an upgrade (from shared acc. to private) so there are TWO shared accommodations left (double beds).
Rooms are shared, not beds. If you have a request to book a shared bed with a friend or family member, please let me know. If the rooms available don’t have that option, I will try to accommodate.
All of the advertised private rooms are booked. However, if a private room is necessity, please reach out and I will attempt to work that out.
TRAVEL CLARIFICATION
Currently everything is in order and looking great! However, I would like to suggest that we wait until AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 2025 to book travel/flights etc. I will send out an email/post on Substack to confirm on November 2, 2025 and give the all-clear. With November 1st being the cut-off date attendees may receive a full refund, it seems like a natural timeline break. It is also the day the venue charges us the next payment for our lodging. Too many cancellations could jeopardize the trip for everyone, but I do not foresee that happening. [Barring some unexpected non-sense, like oh, I don’t know a global pandemic. (That used to be a joke..) ] All looks wonderful! Just erring to the side of caution. 😉
HOUSEKEEPING DETAILS
Shuttle
The shuttle has been booked to pick up whomever may need it at 3:30 EST on March 19, 2026 at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport (APV). Please keep this in mind when booking your flights (once Flight Go-Ahead is given November 2, 2025) to allow for potential late arrivals etc. It may be best to consider flights that arrive by noon, if possible. Also, for return flights, afternoon would be best if you are planning to utilize the shuttle as it will leave the venue at 10:30 AM on Sunday. With airport security, travel time etc afternoon flights would probably be most prudent.
Insurance
I will be reaching out to event insurance providers this week, if anyone has a recommendation they have used, please let me know. We suggest that guests purchase travel insurance for their own needs (cancellations, etc). I will be securing liability insurance but I am not sure what coverage there will be for other potential risks. I did see that pandemics are NOT covered as a rule. More on this to come.
Next Payment
Your next payment should automatically charge to your card on file October 15, 2025 if you chose the installment plan. If for some reason you don’t get an email reminder about this, or are not charged around that date, please let me know. We are learning this process together. 😎
Yes, Chef! Lottery
I am SO DAMN CHUFFED about this! I cannot wait to cook with you amazing people! I will be gathering a list of those interested in hosting and/or co-hosting a meal and we will hold a drawing on Sharing KITCHENS LIVE on November 7, 2025. Everyone will have the opportunity to participate; the drawing will be to determine positions. Watch for SKL posts, details to come. Elizabeth Pizzinato Rebecca Blackwell CulinUrsa — Elizabeth Baer Annada D. Rathi Stephanie Hansen Lisa Golden Schroeder Janet Mary Cobb Kerry Faber Betty Williams Lori Olson White Rachel Ciordas Debbie Dale Blackwell Maggie J Anne-Marie Pietersma Mindy Crosato Sally Ekus Dianne Jacob Kate McDermott Alex_Sharp
Anyone still on the fence about joining the Retreat, click it, Dahlin’! ⬇️
Special Thanks
I want to give a heartfelt “Thank you” to those of you who have contributed, chatted, suggested and of course booked! Elizabeth Pizzinato Rebecca Blackwell Betty Williams Lori Olson White and others. Thank you also to Sally Ekus and Dianne Jacob for agreeing to share their knowledge, experience and gracious good will with all of us. And to ALL OF YOU who have made this possible. See you in 2026! (or the next SKL 🥂)
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It’s gonna be great! You are a super salesperson.
Amazing, Jenn. So sad I can’t be there. Have fun for me too :)