Behind the Scenes with McCormick Gourmet and a New Product Giveaway!

• Giveaway Closed •

I recently had what I to be one of the most exciting opportunities that has ever come my way. It involved the brand new line of McCormick Gourmet Recipe Mixes, Allrecipes, and a couple of incredible ladies I’ve come to know online but had never met face to face, until now. We were asked to come together in the kitchen, while the cameras rolled, and prepare a couple of dishes using the new recipe mixes. Needless to say, we all jumped at the opportunity.

I’m excited to be able to give you a look behind the scenes of the video shoot and introduce you to this new product line. I’m also downright giddy to be able to host a giveaway of McCormick’s brand spankin’ new recipe mixes that I know you are all going to love.

I want to introduce you to Jennifer. That’s her there on the right. On day #1 of the shoot, Jennifer came a calling and we we finally had the chance, live and in person to talk, cook, and talk some more. The first thing you notice when you meet her is her dazzling blue eyes and her sweet as can be southern drawl. She also has a wicked sense of humor and we had a blast together. Jennifer blogs over at House of Frolic and Mirth. Stop by and give her a big hug from me while you’re there.

This is how we looked most of the day. They let us keep our cameras close by and you’ll see why when you see the finished video. Work that camera Jen!

First, the kitchen was transformed for the shoot. We tried to stay out of the way, sort of.

This is David Albright, one of the videographers. I had the good fortune to work with him when he filmed and edited my What’s Cooking episode. He is incredibly talented and also very patient, as Jennifer and I came to find out when we got the giggles and completely lost our train of thought, a time or two…or ten.

This is how David looked to me for the good part of the day. Hello David.

This is Erik Dinnel, the second videographer. Somehow these guys present themselves in such a way that it seems okay to have a camera in your face for about six hours straight. I’m not sure how they do this – must be a trade secret.

Here is Jennifer taking hold of the goods – the McCormick Gourmet Herbes de Provence Roasted Chicken & Potatoes Recipe Mix, the recipe we are getting ready to cook together. The ingredients are listed on the back of the package and are all natural, recognizable, and easy to pronounce. There’s no strange multi-syllable mystery ingredients like you see in a lot of other packaged mixes. You’ll also find a shopping list and easy recipe directions to prepare the dish.

She came calling with a pretty basket of goodies that included everything we needed to prepare the dish, with the exception of the white wine you see way back on counter behind her. Somehow Jen knew I’d have that on hand.

Jennifer had no problem getting her hands right in there and going to work on the dish. These recipes are so simple to prepare. This one is baked together all on one foil lined baking sheet – a complete meal and super easy clean up. Simple, fast, and delicious. What more can we ask for?

There are lots of folks behind the scenes of a video shoot. It takes a village. This is Jean, the head food stylist, helping us plate up the finished recipe and Jen lurking behind her with her camera. We did a lot of lurking with our cameras.

Plated up and pretty as can be. I can attest to the fact that it tasted just as good as it looked.

There are a few others who can attest to this fact as well. This is Karen Beyer, with Allrecipes, hamming it up for the camera while she samples the completed dish. The house smelled pretty incredible while it was cooking so we had some eager taste testers as soon as the cameras were shut off.

Shoot #1 is done and it’s a wrap!

Now it was my turn to go visit my friend Nelly. That is her on the right. Nelly is originally from Puerto Rico but now lives in St. Louis. She recently represented Allrecipes for the fifth time on live TV in a cooking segment for Good Morning St. Louis and totally rocked it! This girl is on fire. She also happens to be gorgeous, an avid runner, an amazing cook, and has a super cute “Sophia Vergara-esque” accent that makes you instantly fall in love with her.

We prepared the McCormick Gourmet Creamy Parmesan & Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Penne, one of my favorite of the six new seasoning mixes.

David helped Nelly get her microphone secured and ready.

The guys and the food stylists setting up.

The food stylists, Jean and Bridget, at work.

Jean works her magic.

The folks in charge looking very serious as they contemplate the finished dish. From left to right, David Albright, Erik Dinnel, Marney Ayers Freeland with Allrecipes, and Andrew Eaton, an advertising rep for McCormick.

It was all worth it. The beautiful finished product, plated up and ready to serve.

David and Erik can’t take it anymore. Time to eat! This is a sight that is very common in my kitchen, men sneaking food out of the pan. I’ve seen this just a few times before. They look a little guilty don’t they?

Despite the bright lighting from behind, I wanted to include this photo of Nelly and I with Cory Vicens, of Allrecipes (center). It’s been so nice to get to know her better throughout my time with Allrecipes and the projects I’ve worked on with them. Thank you so much for everything Cory!

Last, but definitely not least, this is the wonderful and absolutely adorable, Ivory Harvey. She’s responsible for managing the Brand Ambassador program and dealing with all of us on a day to day basis. Believe me, this is no easy task and she handles it with grace and tons of charm. Allrecipes is lucky to have her and so are we! Thank you for all that you do Ivory.

I hope you enjoyed the behind the scenes look. I will post the link to the videos as soon as they become available. Now, on to the giveaway! McCormick very generously provided me with several complete sets of the of the six new Gourmet Recipe & Seasoning Mixes. McCormick is rolling this product out over the spring and summer but it is not yet available in many areas so you will be getting a sneak preview, before anyone else. That’s pretty cool right? There will be three winners who will each receive a full set of these new seasoning mixes!

There are six ways to enter. Leave a separate comment for each one. Enter once or enter six times to increase your odds of winning!

• Like From Valerie’s Kitchen on Facebook
• Follow From Valerie’s Kitchen on Twitter
• Follow From Valerie’s Kitchen on Pinterest
• Subscribe to my RSS Feed
• Share the link to this giveaway with your Facebook friends
• Tweet the link to this giveaway on your Twitter account using the following text – “Enter to win – Brand new product from @McCormickSpices Gourmet Recipe & Seasoning Mix #Giveaway https://www.fromvalerieskitchen.com/?p=6154”

Be sure to leave a separate comment below for each entry. Maximum of six entries per person. Giveaway closes on Friday, May 11. Winner will be chosen at random and contacted by email on Saturday, May 12. If winner does not claim their prize within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Contest is open to U.S. residents only.

Good luck and happy cooking!

• Giveaway Closed •