Featured Recipe: Caramel Apple Puff Dumplings

This unique recipe is from 1898 Waverly Inn in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It is primarily a dessert, but it can be used as a sweet breakfast treat, too.

Servings: 4
Prep time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 

  1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 4 medium cooking apples
• 1 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup caramel sundae topping
• 1/3 cup pecans, toasted and chopped

 Steps:

1. Thaw and unfold the pastry as the package directs. Preheat oven to 400F degrees. On a lightly floured surface, roll the pastry into a 16-inch square. Using a fluted pastry cutter or a kitchen knife, cut into 4 equal squares.

2. Peel and core apples; trim bottoms so that apples sit level. Place one apple in the center of each pastry square. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; spoon into apples.

3: Beat the egg and water together in a small bowl and moisten the edges of the pastry with the mixture. Bring the pastry up around the apples, pleating or trimming excess pastry as needed, and pinch the edges together to form a seal.

4. Place the dumplings in an ungreased 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Brush them with the egg mixture; sprinkle with the granulated sugar. Bake for about 35 minutes, until golden brown.

5. For the sauce, combine the caramel topping and pecans, if desired, in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave, uncovered, on HIGH for 30 seconds, until heated through. Spoon the sauce onto each plate and set the dumplings on top or drizzle the sauce over the top. Serve warm.

By Emily Starbuck Crone

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Featured Recipe: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

This recipe comes from Glen-Ella Springs Inn in Clarkesville, GA

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 can pumpkin puree (16 oz.)
• 1 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin and oil until smooth.
3. In separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt.
4. Add pumpkin mixture to dry mixture and stir.
5. Add chocolate chips and stir well.
6. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full and bake for 16-20 minutes.
7. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from muffin tin.

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BedandBreakfast.com PR and Marketing Update

Learn about some of our upcoming campaigns and some of the major publicity we and our inns have received lately.

Upcoming PR & Marketing Campaigns

We will be promoting the following stories over the coming months with media so make sure to add or update your inn’s information on the Special Packages page on BedandBreakfast.com:

• Top winter destinations for B&B travel
• Holiday specials

Working on ideas for your own publicity? Here are some upcoming holidays that might make good news hooks and fun package themes:

December is:

• Bingo Month
• National Maple Syrup Day (December 17)
• Hanukkah (December 20 through December 28)
• Festivus (December 23)
• Christmas (December 25)
• Boxing Day (December 26)
• New Year's Eve (December 31)

To add specials: Click here to log in to your Home Base on BedandBreakfast.com, then click the Specials link to add your packages. Be sure to include all relevant information including rates, validity dates, whether children/pets are welcome, and the costs. (Silver-level members and above may post specials. Bronze member? Please click here to upgrade. Not yet a member? Join today!)

Notable News

BedandBreakfast.com has been receiving quite a bit of national news attention!

USA Today did a story with BedandBreakfast.com featuring "10 great places to sleep with a ghost" in its October 21 print issue and showcases a slideshow of the 10 haunted B&Bs on its website.  The story was picked up by ABC News and other local television websites.

BedandBreakfast.com also worked with the New York Times on a story about five "B&Bs that Break the Dolls-and-Doilies Mold" in its October 15 issue.  Two of the five Texas B&Bs are listed on BedandBreakfast.com:  La Maison in Midtown Houston and Blair House Inn in Wimberley.

We worked with SmarterTravel.com to include several member B&Bs in its "10 Great Escapes for Fall."  The Roaming Boomers also shared our leaf peeping news with its readers.

Did you see all the great national publicity for the B&B industry and BedandBreakfast.com during Wheel of Fortune’s special “Bed & Breakfast Week” in October? PhillyBurbs.com and Boston B&B Examiner picked up our story about this special week and great prizes.  

The Vancouver Sun included BedandBreakfast.com in its August 13 story about camping and B&B options in New York.

Finally, we recently saw About.com picked up our news about the “mini-moon” trend earlier this summer.

Stay tuned for more coverage about the B&B industry as we unveil our Best of the BedandBreakfast.com 2011-2012 Awards, new monthly awards, holiday specials and promotions, and the new website.

 PR Tips

BedandBreakfast.com Blog: If you have any great high-quality photos, deals, or recipes to share, email them to Emily Gerson for consideration. You should also email her if you’re interested in participating in an innkeeper Q&A feature on the blog.

 Change photos often; add video too: We know we say it over and over, but we repeat our photo mantra each month because it is such an important part of promoting our members. Media are always on the lookout for timely photos. Photos from your listing pages are often linked to releases posted in the BedandBreakfast.com Press Room, also visited by media worldwide. Most importantly, timely photos on your BedandBreakfast.com page motivate consumers to book. Since autumn is just around the corner, replace your summer photos with shots of glorious fall foliage and outdoor activities that can be enjoyed at your inn.

Not sure how to post photos? Click here to log in to your Home Base on BedandBreakfast.com, click Photos from the Quick Links box on the left, thenfollowing the easy instructions on the screen to upload your pictures. Don’t forget! If you have high-resolution photos or videos, please post them on BedandBreakfast.com. When the media wants high-res photos and videos, we look for them on BedandBreakfast.com, so be sure to post yours soon.

By Emily Starbuck Crone

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Tips for Hiring a Professional Photographer

This is the third article in our series about inn photography. The first installment is available here, and the second installment is available here.

As we’ve emphasized before, our surveys show that nearly half of travelers say photos are very important to them when booking a B&B stay. Bad photos can lead a traveler to question the quality of an inn and book elsewhere.

If you are having trouble taking high-quality photos yourself or simply don’t have the time, it’s a very wise investment to have professional photos taken of your property. Try to schedule them during a time when few, if any guests are present. Here are some of the things you should consider when hiring a photographer.

Where do you find a professional photographer?

• Ask nearby inns with great photos which photographer they used
• Ask local real estate agents for photographer recommendations
• Search a review site, such as Yelp.com, for recommendations
• Search for a real estate photographer online or in the yellow pages
• How much should it cost?
• This can vary greatly based on your location and the size of your property, which will dictate how long it will take. It can also vary based on the photographer’s experience. Decide a price range you’re comfortable with and ask several local photographers for a quote.

What should you ask potential photographers?

• Can I see your portfolio? Make sure to view some of their work to make sure it is of the quality you’re looking for.
• Is photo editing included in their price? You will want photo editing if you can afford it.
• Will they be staging the rooms, or do you need to do that?
• Can you use the photos without having to give them credit or are there limitations for where you can use them? You should be sure to get the full rights to the photos if you want to be able to freely use them on your website, on your BedandBreakfast.com listing, and your promotional materials.
• What recourse will you have, if any, if you are not pleased with their photos?
• Can we get our arrangement in writing? You should always have the photographer draw up a contract.

What shots should you make sure they take?
You may not know which photos you want to choose for your listing or website until you see how they turn out, so the more coverage they get, the better. Make sure to give them an outline of your must-haves:

• The inn’s exterior
• Every bedroom, unless you have over 10 rooms
• Every bathroom, if attractive
• Common areas
• Dining room
• The view, if any of the rooms or common areas have a great one
• Optional: A food dish or two
• Any other important amenities, such as a spa, pool, or exercise room

By Emily Starbuck Crone

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Featured Recipe: Chocolate Chiffon Dessert Cup

This recipe for a Chocolate Chiffon Dessert Cup comes from Andon-Reid Inn Bed and Breakfast, Waynesville, NC.

No one leaves the table hungry at the Andon-Reid Inn Bed and Breakfast. For lots of scrumptious recipes, check out the inn's blog.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Serves:  8

Ingredients:

• 3 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 15 oz ricotta cheese, whole milk or part-skim
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup superfine sugar
• 1-2 tbs milk
• Optional, for garnish: whipped cream, fresh berries, or chocolate curls

Steps:

1. In a food processor, blend the chocolate, ricotta cheese, and vanilla extract until very smooth.
2. Add the sugar gradually until well incorporated and then gradually add the milk.
3. Pour into dessert cups and chill.
4. Before serving, top with whipped cream, fresh berries, or chocolate curls if desired.

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10 Photo Mistakes to Avoid

This is the second article in our series about inn photography. The first installment is available here.

1. Dark or shadowy photos. Take interior photos during the day so you can have your windows open and take advantage of natural light. Turn on lamps and lights, and if you have a fireplace, light it up.

2. People in the photos. This can occasionally work, but more often than not, having people in your photos (especially in private areas such as bedrooms, bath tubs, or hot tubs) detracts from the property. Travelers don’t want to think of other people in those places—they want to imagine themselves there.

3. Low resolution. Low-resolution photos are either very small or blurry/pixilated. Make sure the photos are large files that are crisp and clear. They should preferably be digital, as scanned photos do not turn out very well.

4. Poor framing. Focus on one thing if possible, like a comfortable bed or a great breakfast dish, rather than trying to cram in too many things into one shot.

5. Lack of staging. Before you take the photo, make sure the beds are tidy and the room is clean and clear of clutter. Feel free to rearrange furniture for a photo if it will make the space look better. 

6. Too few photos. Your photos sell your B&B, so take advantage of the photo slots that you’re paying for. The more excellent photos you have, the more inquiries you should get.

7. Too many photos of surrounding area. It’s OK to put up a photo or two of nearby scenery, but make sure you cover all of the property basics first, including the exterior, bedrooms, the living area, the dining area, and the view (if there is a good one). Don’t use half of your photo slots for pictures of the garden or outdoor views.

8. Unappealing food pictures. It’s surprisingly difficult to take good pictures of food. When you take a food photo, look at it as though you are a guest seeing it for the first time. Does it look extremely enticing, or just so/so (or even unappetizing)? If your photos don’t make your mouth water, you should hire a professional photographer to take some shots.

9. Not changing seasonal photos. Guests don’t want to see photos of your property with a Christmas tree and wreaths when it’s the summer. Likewise, if you’re in an area that gets snow, you may want to sure that you have a winter photo of the property for that season rather than only photos of springtime.

10. Not using photo captions. Is that the view from your property, or a lookout from a nearby area? Which guest room is that? Is that a common area or part of a suite? Write captions to help your guests know exactly what they’re seeing.

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BedandBreakfast.com PR and Marketing Update

BedandBreakfast.com has been In the News recently!  

SmarterTravel.com featured "Five Affordable Seaside Hideaways," which was also included in USA Today’s weekly travel e-newsletter.  

SmarterTravel.com also gave a nice shout-out to BedandBreakfast.com’s Diamond Collection when it included L'Auberge Provencale Bed & Breakfast in Boyce, Virginia, in its "Irresistible Country Retreats" story.

BedandBreakfast.com also was included in an MSNBC TV story on gas-saving tips for summer travel.  

Make sure to watch Wheel of Fortune the week of October 10 for "B&B Week."  Each night, the show will offer a romantic getaway to a special B&B as its featured prize.   The #1 syndicated game show with more than 26 million viewers each week, the Wheel of Fortune promotion with BedandBreakfast.com offers tremendous publicity for the bed and breakfast industry.

By Emily Starbuck Crone

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Featured Recipe: Gluten-Free Chai Scones

Enjoy this recipe for Gluten-Free Chai Scones from Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast in Newberg, OR.

Innkeeper Kristen Fintel at Chehalem Ridge Bed and Breakfast graduated with honors from Western Culinary Institute, and uses her culinary skills to accommodate all manners of dietary restrictions at the inn.

Preparation time: 30 Minutes
Serves: 10

Ingredients:

• 1 1/4 cup sorghum flour
• 1/2 cup tapioca flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter, frozen and grated
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup chai tea concentrate
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Steps:

1. Mix together dry ingredients. Add frozen, grated butter and mix gently to coat. Combine the egg, milk and chai tea concentrate. Pour over the flour mixture and mix until dough comes together.
2. On rice-floured baking sheet, pat dough into a 8" circle. Refrigerate until ready to bake. If you wait a while, you will be able to cut the dough into wedges before baking. If baked immediately, cut when out of oven. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle sugar on.
3. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 12-15 minutes, until golden brown.

By Emily Starbuck Crone

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Photos Can Make or Break Your Listing

Did you know that according to our recent survey, 48% of travelers say photos are very important to them when booking? Another 27% say they won’t even book without photos. Images are the single most important component of your BedandBreakfast.com listing. But not just any images—clear, large, high-quality pictures.

Photos that are blurry, tiny, outdated, poorly lit, or unflattering are often enough to make a traveler book elsewhere. We also aren’t able to feature listings with low-quality photos in our press releases, blog, articles, or social media.  If your guests arrive and say, “Your B&B looks better than in your photos,” it’s time to get new pictures taken.

What steps can you take right now?

• If you have high-quality photos on your website but have not uploaded them to your BedandBreakfast.com listing yet, please do so now. BedandBreakfast.com users would love to see them, too!
• If you have 10 photo slots on BedandBreakfast.com but are only using six, fill up the rest if you have good photos. Take advantage of the opportunity to show off more bedrooms or areas of your B&B.
• On the other hand, if you currently have some low-quality photos on your BedandBreakfast.com, it is better to remove them than keep them there. Only leave your best ones. It most cases, quality over quantity is more important.
• If you don’t have any current or high-quality photos but you have a good camera, take new ones yourself. You may want to take a local photography class to learn more about lighting and composition.
• If you don’t feel confident with your own photography skills, consider hiring a professional. Our survey results reveal how important photos are in the booking process, so it will be worth it in the long run. You can get photographer recommendations from other nearby inns or real estate agents.

By Emily Starbuck Crone

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BedandBreakfast.com PR and Marketing Update

BedandBreakfast.com sent out a news release and infographic in May announcing that nearly one in three soon-to-be-married couples plan to take a short honeymoon instead of the more traditional week or longer honeymoon, and reminded the media that B&Bs offer popular “mini-moons” for newlyweds. The release was picked up by more than 200 news outlets, including a terrific blog post by Sherman’s Travel.

Our Top Summer Destinations release resulted in a taped interview with Westwood One Radio, which distributed the story to more than 5,000 radio stations.

We also announced there are more than 200 Diamond Collection properties now on BedandBreakfast.com.

We have also added two new documents to our Press Room: Myths and Facts about B&Bs and BedandBreakfast.com Facts and Figures.

Finally, during a trip to New York City, we met with prominent travel and feature writers from the following publications to talk about the benefits of staying in a B&B: Ladies’ Home Journal, Brides, Family Circle, Sherman’s Travel, Wall Street Journal, Travel + Leisure, and Real Simple.

By Emily Starbuck Crone

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