My favorite Saturday morning activity when I was a child was cracking open a box of fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts. We didn’t have them often but I could eat an unlimited amount or until my mom made me stop, whichever came first. Imagine my delight when I was invited to attend the Krispy Kreme 2013 Blogger Summit in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, home of Krispy Kreme since the company was founded in 1937. My friends and family were envious. “You get to go on a trip and eat all the Krispy Kreme doughnuts you want? That sounds like a dream come true!” (Well, yeah.)
I admit I didn’t realize the complicated process or the science involved in making the doughnuts. All I knew was they tasted good. Boy, was I in for a surprise. We began our visit with the tour of the original factory and I got to touch the envelope containing the secret recipe. Sadly I wasn’t able to sneak a peek at the recipe but after touring the plant, I know there is no way I could replicate a delicious Krispy Kreme hot glazed doughnut in my kitchen.
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| The Secret Recipe |
The process of making doughnuts has changed since 1937. The original equipment has been replaced with modern technology which, ironically, has made doughnut holes more difficult to produce.
Can you imagine being able to work each day seeing these doughnuts baking? When we entered the production room the smell was incredible. We watched the doughnuts baking and then being glazed on the assembly line. We finished our tour by sampling a fresh hot glazed doughnut. This treat was worth wearing a hair net and white lab coat through the plant.
My introduction into the science of Krispy Kreme came with a chat with Corporate Chef Ron Rupocinski and Beverage Operations Manager Brannon Wagaman. Not being a coffee drinker, I was given an introduction in the proper way to taste coffee. Let’s just say that slurping so the beverage will spread around the tongue is a good thing. Brannon shared the three coffee choices available from Krispy Kreme, the factors that provide the flavor of the beans, and how they produce a consistent blend. Next came the yummy part, pairing the different blends with doughnuts. I was surprised to find that the flavor of the coffee balanced the sweetness of the doughnuts. I’ve been converted to a coffee drinker when I enjoy a doughnut.
Chef Ron and Global Director of Production Innovation Mark Susz were gracious enough to answer questions from our readers. One hot question was the possibility of a gluten free doughnut. While the chefs are looking into the concept, they must find a way to make sure the doughnut meets Krispy Kremes’ rigid taste standards. We also learned about the new flavor combinations. While the Texas Pete flavor was nixed, we can look forward to a new Oreo doughnut. Yum!
I’ve got more Krispy Kreme fun coming so stay tuned.
I was invited to attend the Krispy Kreme 2013 Bloggers Summit in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. All opinions are my own.
How fun.. this now looks soo much more interesting; a boring yet YUMMY Donut, who knew there was such a history; thanks for sharing and I’m super excited to read more about your trip and the OHHH soo yummy Krispy Kreme donut!!
Yum! It looks like it was a delicious event.
No KK around here any more. Drat. Glad you had fun.
Jealous!! I remember having Krispy Kreme in college, and we used to have one up here but it closed and I was very sad, there is nothing like a fresh hot Krispy Kreme glazed donut!! (And I slurp my coffee to get the full flavor too sometimes! Lol)
What? How come I didn’t get an invite? I’m the biggest Krispy Kreme fan there is. lol No pun intended. 🙂 It looks like you have a fabulous time!!
Looks like you had a great time. And how could anyone not, with all those yummy donuts around.
I can just imagine how much fun you had at this event. Love the photos! It is fun to see the 1937 photos on how they once made the doughnuts.
This was an amazing trip! I love the inside info and now I have a craving to make a trip to Krispy Kreme! Mmmm!
Oh yum! This looks like the coolest event ever. They recently replaced our Krispy Kreme with a red lobster i really miss it.
That sounds like a FUN event. I am a fan of Krispy Kreme so I am jealous that I didn’t get to enjoy some hot fresh donuts too!
ummm can you say jealous… wish I had been there…. now I want donuts 🙂
That is certainly a dream trip! Looks like you had oodles of fun, looking forward to hearing more! We love to go to the Krispy Kreme in Louisville when they are making donuts and watch them come off the line… then naturally buy a couple fresh boxes and devour.
No Way! I would LOVE to go to something like that! So cool! Oh man! I want a doughnut now!
How FUN Pam! I’m so sad I couldn’t go, we could have learned about Krispy Kreme together. My mouth is watering.
I can’t wait to hear about the rest of the trip!
Just looking at those pics makes me crave some doughnuts. Sounds like it was a very fun event.
You brought back so many memories. I had forgotten about the recipe in the vault!
What a fun and delicious event! I love getting a look behind the scenes at companies like this. It’s always amazing how intricate the processes are to make such great treats! And no, I couldn’t imagine how wonderful those smell all day!