This was another cool part of our Tour through the General Mills Building in Minneapolis, MN while attending the Box Top University.
The unique thing about General Mills and all their yummy recipes and ideas is, they use real food. They create the recipe, cook it in house and have all the products that we have in our pantry as well. There is no “Fake” food and airbrushed or Photoshoped just to make a better appearance.
Nope, all is done just like you or me would be cooking or baking. I loved it. Our group of 14 bloggers saw the prep room for all the photo shoots, they had everything. I wish I had a prep room just like theirs.. I bet I could turn out beautiful dinners and cakes as well.
Isn’t that cool? I love the behind the scene look, it was just soo cool to see how things are created and this was fascinating. We also got to see the 3 different test kitchens that are in the Photography Studio. Each Kitchen is ready to be used just like you or mine kitchen, with running water, dishwasher, ovens and anything you need or want. Each kitchen is set up the same way, making it easier for the chef’s to cook and bake.
The first 3 pictures are of a kitchen that is currently being re-surfaced 
but it sure was HUGE and soo much room to cook, I got so jealous.There was also a Video kitchen, where all the videos are being taped. The kitchen is completely sound proof and just HUGE, with a lot of natural lights and plenty of room to add a camera crew or people. I loved that one, check it out.
Isn’t this cool? it’s not every day you get to see the behind the scene of a Big Company and how things work. I had a blast learning about all the cool things. We also found out that once the dinners are cooked, or the cookies are done with their photo shoot, they are being put into the “community” kitchen where anything is free game for anyone to eat…. unfortunately when we were there, no one had left any food on the counter…lol
There is soo much to do and to see… so check out what the Pantry looks like… yup they have regular products that you and I would use as well.
We also learned that General Mills has a “Shopper” who goes shopping every day for the products that the chef’s need to create a wonderful easy new recipe that we can check out on their website or read about in a magazine. If the product isn’t on a grocery store shelf for a specific recipe, the recipe will not be published to the public. General Mills prides themselves with recipes and ideas that are simple and easy to follow for every Mom and Dad, products that are available anywhere and still within a budget. That was interesting and so up my ally. I love to use Betty Crocker products or any of the many brands that are manufactured by General Mills, and especially enjoy the recipes on their website. Did you know that Pillsbury Crescent roll and biscuits are part of General Mills, but the Pillsbury cookies are not? They are actually a competitor? That was interesting to hear and news to me.
We were told the reason why they are competitor is, the different sections were bought by different companies…… isn’t that interesting, so be sure to check next time you are in a super market looking for a “General Mills” product, just because it has a “BRAND” name doesn’t mean it also is a General Mills product.
Hope you enjoyed the tour of General Mills as much as I did. Thanks to General Mills for a fabulous tour and special permission to take pictures and publish on my blog.
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