Feature: Krispy Kreme Donut Concepts and Creation

After the a morning of coffee and donut pairings as well as learning about: Krispy Kreme marketing (very much about social media and fan engagement rather than TV spots); fundraising programs (great margins for fundraisers--you can get the donuts or certificates for half off and sell them for the regular price); and just the people in the company (it seems like everyone working there has their own Krispy Kreme story and memories), the last thing we did at the Krispy Kreme Blogger Summit was participate in a short class in sensory education (part of the Krispy Kreme University experience) and to have at it with our own donut creations.

Basically, we had the full run of their internal Krispy Kreme shop and donuts; it's like your very own donut shop for an hour... only for free!

Feature: Krispy Kreme Coffee Tasting and Pairings

On the morning of second and last day of Krispy Kreme's Blogger Summit, they invited us to try their new Signature Coffee Blends (introduced last year) along with suggested donut pairings.

I'd never done a coffee tasting or "cupping" before, so I was pretty intrigued. There are three varieties of Krispy Kreme coffee blends: the House Blend, the Dark Roast, and the House Decaf.

Feature: Krispy Kreme Olden Days Donut Making Exhibit

In the lobby of Krispy Kreme's mix plant is a couple of knick knacks used to make donuts back in the olden days. Before they ever had a donut hopper to pop out rings of dough, they had this weird metal roller (shown above). It's a donut roller! I didn't pick it up but it looks pretty heavy, no?

Feature: Inside Krispy Kreme's Home Factory

Or Q and the Donut Factory if you will. As I mentioned before Krispy Kreme flew me out to Winston-Salem, North Carolina for their Krispy Kreme VIB ("Very Important Blogger") Summit. Upon arrival, I, along with a group of bloggers, was given a tour of their factory which until very recently, did not make donuts.