foodie rockstar DUO: Mandy + Carly from Just Pop In!

 

Carly and Mandy promoting their products

Mandy Selke and Carly Swift, the owners of Just Pop in! Gourmet Popcorn, are enigmatic. They are stunning, bubbly, and their positive energy and smiles are highly infectious!

I love a good snack as much as the next person, but I have been astounded at the growth of Just Pop In! over the years. It is everywhere! When I had the chance to meet the dynamic duo at an event in our Broad Ripple neighborhood, I just had to learn more about them and their well-carved popcorn niche. Upon meeting them, I knew they were special... they just have it. I finally got to sit down with them and chat it up for awhile. 

Here are a few things you should know about Mandy and Carly:

Food Fieldtrip to.... Tampa!

the bottle we drank at Catch 23

Tampa. Honestly, I've never thought of it as a food destination, a mecca of culinary amazement, or even a good place to eat. Tampa people, please accept my sincerest apology; I was wrong.... oh so very wrong! 

On the flight down to Tampa I had the rare experience of meeting a Tampa native (just recently and happily relocated to Indy). He wanted to know all about the Indy food scene. I think it's fair to say he got all he bargained for and more. His head was spinning after I rattled on and on (and on) about all my favorite Indy eateries and drinkeries.** The flip side of this was that he let me know all the best places in Tampa to eat on my whirlwind adventure.

For the sake of brevity, I will only highlight some of my experiences. I was in Tampa for a variety of missions, and I literally went all over the Bay area, so this list covers some serious geography:

quick favorites round up!

 Summer is in full effect. Here are some of the things to love right now:

1. Homemade Caprese Salad

It doesn't get any better, simpler, or more quintessentially summer than sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves. I like to use beefsteak and large heirloom varieties for this dish. Right before you serve, sprinkle on plenty of sea salt and course ground black pepper; drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I usually reduce the balsamic to thicken it up and intensify the flavor (just put 1/2 c. in a small sauce pan and simmer until reduced by half... it only takes a few minutes and it makes a huge difference!).