Posted by Kristen Baughman on Apr 22, 2015 in Eat, Travel | 2 comments

I recently attended the Brooklyn Freelancers Summit and sat next to Alex, an inspiring woman who wants to become a full-time freelancer. I immediately told her, “Go for it!” Starting my own business and working for myself has changed my life. I’ve moved to a new city and worked with some of the most amazing clients. Following your passion is key — and mine just so happens to be food and drink.

Traveling in Southeast Asia has been on the top of my travel bucket list for quite some time. A few months ago I sent out a tweet asking if anyone had any connections in Thailand or Laos. Patti from Raleigh’s Champa Thai and Sushi immediately responded. Before we knew it, plane tickets were booked and a food-filled adventure was planned in Thailand and Laos for May 2015. Oh, I failed to mention we had never met! Pretty gutsy, huh? Sometimes you just click with people.

Photography by Igor Ostapchuk for Shutterstock

Patti and I enjoy sharing our love of Southern food with others. Although Patti is living in North Carolina, her roots and most family members are in Thailand. Our upcoming trip sparked the idea to work with North Carolina speciality food companies already being distributed internationally. Our goal would be to stir up the buzz on social media and to increase their awareness across the globe.

I’m happy to announce that we will be working with Bone Suckin’ Sauce to develop recipes using their Original and Yaki sauces. Patti and I will be filming street food vendors in Thailand and Laos using Bone Suckin’ Sauce in traditional dishes. The recipes will be available following the trip on Bone Suckin’ Sauce’s website. Follow our adventures during the trip on social media by using #NoPlaceLikeBone.

We are also working with Peggy Rose’s to sample their pepper jellies, habanero ketchup and champagne mustard at speciality grocery stores, restaurants and bars in Thailand and Laos. Follow Peggy Rose’s Facebook fan page and #RosesOnTheRoad for updates.

As Buddha once said, “An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.” I’m a firm believer that an idea is never stupid. Talk about your ideas, no matter how crazy you think they sound. If I never sent that tweet, this food adventure in Thailand and Laos would never be happening. I hope you’ll follow me on social media and look for blog updates during my trip. The plane is taking off in exactly one week! Thank you again to Bone Suckin’ Sauce and Peggy Rose’s for making this trip possible.