Fresh Air Retreat Atlanta: The Reset I Didn't Know I Needed
A few weeks ago, I packed up my nuuly order, hopped in a rental car, and headed to Atlanta for the 2026 Fresh Air Retreat. And honestly? It ended up being exactly what I needed.
As creators, we're constantly producing. Recipes, photos, videos, emails, social posts, partnerships, deadlines... the list honestly never ends. Most days, we're so focused on creating for everyone else that we rarely stop long enough to connect with each other. And ya know what? That's what makes Fresh Air Retreat so special!
Hosted by Liz Della Croce of The Lemon Bowl and Lauren Grier of The Curious Plate, Fresh Air Retreat brings together a small group of food creators, brand partners, and industry leaders for a few days of learning, sharing, and eating all the best food while and genuinely connecting with other amazing people in the food world. This year's retreat took place in Atlanta, Georgia, and from the moment I arrived, I knew it was going to be something special.
The Power of Being in a Room with People Who Get It
One of the best parts of this retreat wasn't a presentation or a workshop. It was the conversations that happened in between.
The chats over coffee before breakfast. The late-night discussions after dinner. The hot girl walks every second we could squeeze one in. The moments when someone shared a challenge they were facing and suddenly eight other creators were nodding their heads because they'd experienced the exact same thing.
There is something incredibly reassuring about being surrounded by people who understand this unique industry. And the best part is that it didn't matter if you've been blogging for fifteen years or five, realizing we all face many of the same challenges was honestly pretty refreshing. Algorithm changes. Business decisions. Team growth. Burnout. Balancing work with family life. We are all in the thick of it.
And even though I'm all for continuing education, sometimes you don't need another course or another webinar. Sometimes you just need to sit around a table and chat it up with people who understand.
The Food Was Obviously Incredible
Because, let's be honest, what would a gathering of food creators be without amazing food?
Chef Trimell Hawkins led the culinary program and absolutely knocked it out of the park. Every meal felt thoughtful, beautiful, and delicious. Plus, Chef recently appeared on some pretty big cooking shows and it was so fun to celebrate his wins!
We also explored some of Atlanta's incredible restaurant scene, including an unforgettable lunch at Zakia Modern Lebanese and a gorgeous dinner at Ray's on the River.
As you probably know, there is something truly magical about sharing great food with people who appreciate every detail. The conversations somehow become deeper, the laughter gets louder and somehow someone always ends up discussing that dang algorithm while passing the hummus.
The Brands That Showed Up
Another thing Fresh Air Retreat does exceptionally well is creating meaningful connections between creators and brands.
Throughout the week, we spent some quality time with partners including Butterball, SUNSET Produce, Zwilling, Amylu Foods, and Mediavine. These weren't rushed networking moments or awkward sales pitches. They were genuine opportunities to learn more about the people behind the brands, ask questions, and build real relationships. They asked us questions about the industry and we asked them questions, too. It was so nice being able to have such candid conversations and for that i'll be forever grateful. And you bet I'll be coming up with some tasty recipes from all the amazing PR boxes we received!
As someone who has worked with brands for many years, I can tell you that the strongest partnerships almost always start with authentic connections. And I"m so lucky to have been a part of this.
The Incredible Creators I Got to Spend the Week With
One of the biggest highlights of Fresh Air Retreat was spending a few days with such a talented group of creators. While we all come from different corners of the food internet, what struck me most was how generous everyone was with their knowledge, experiences, and encouragement.
Whether we were swapping business ideas over coffee, talking content strategy during free time, or laughing over dinner, every single person brought something unique to the table.
If you're looking for new food creators to follow, here's the dream team I had the pleasure of hanging out with in Atlanta:
- Ashley Fehr - The Recipe Rebel Ashley creates approachable family-friendly recipes that make weeknight cooking feel easy. She's also the author of The Recipe Rebel Cookbook and somehow manages to make dinner look effortless.
- Brittany Mullins - Eating Bird Food Brittany shares nourishing, high-protein recipes and realistic wellness tips that fit into busy lives. Her balanced approach to healthy eating is incredibly refreshing.
- Christine McMichael - Jar of Lemons Christine specializes in simple, flavorful meals for busy families. Her recipes are approachable, protein-forward, and packed with practical inspiration.
- Erica Baty - It's a Flavorful Life Erica combines her background as a registered dietitian with a genuine love for delicious food. Her content proves that nutritious meals can also be incredibly satisfying.
- Jennifer Pallian - Foodess Jennifer is a registered dietitian and food scientist who brings a fascinating blend of culinary creativity and food science expertise to everything she shares.
- Jessica Hoffman - Choosing Chia Jessica creates healthy recipes that feel attainable and exciting. Her site is full of wholesome meals, snacks, and ideas that fit into real life.
- Laura Ashley Johnson - Dinner in 321 Laura Ashley shares joyful recipes, entertaining ideas, and lifestyle inspiration with her signature Southern charm and infectious positivity.
- Liz Della Croce - The Lemon Bowl As mentioned earlier, Liz is one of our incredible hosts of Fresh Air Retreat. This powerhouse of a woman has built a beloved community around fresh, wholesome recipes inspired by seasonal ingredients and her Lebanese heritage.
- Lauren Grier - The Curious Plate And of course, there's Lauren, the other house of Fresh Air Retreat, whose recipes are creative, adventurous, and always packed with flavor. She's constantly inspiring people to embrace curiosity in the kitchen.
The Real Takeaway
I left Atlanta feeling inspired not only by what these women have built, but by who they are behind the scenes. The food blogging world can feel surprisingly small sometimes, and getting the opportunity to spend a few uninterrupted days together was a reminder of how supportive and collaborative this community really is.
When people ask what I gained from the retreat, it's tempting to talk about strategy, business growth, or networking. Because yes, there was plenty of that... But what I really left with was a renewed sense of excitement.
Excitement about creating.
Excitement about trying new things.
Excitement about the future of this industry.
It's easy to feel isolated when you work online and never have office friendships but Fresh Air Retreat reminds you that there is an entire community of incredibly talented, generous people cheering for each other behind the scenes. And that reminder alone makes the trip worth it.
A huge thank you to Liz, Lauren, Payton, Chef Trimell, the sponsors, and every creator who shared their time, knowledge, and friendship throughout the week. I'm already looking forward to the next one!!
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