When it comes to festive gatherings, consumers often seek out and invest in the best. SFA News Daily asked a group of retail buyers for their recommendations for artisan specialties that will help revelers make merry this winter holiday season.
Brad Hedeman, Zingerman’s Mail Order, Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Agrimontana Italian Wild Cherries and American Spoon Brandied Cherries
• L’Amuse Extra Aged Goat Gouda and Brabander Goat Gouda
• Leckerlee Lebkuchen
• Red Table Meats Vecchio Salami
• Robert Lambert’s Exotic Citrus Fruit Cake
“Italian Wild Cherries from Agrimontana or Brandied Cherries from American Spoon make every event more delicious. A couple cherries in a champagne glass (plus champagne) is a delightful cocktail. They're great in Manhattans as well. If you're not drinking, serve a few cherries atop cheese for a sweet and savory contrast. Darn good with grilled meats like pork tenderloin, too.” –Brad Hederman, Zingerman’s Mail Order, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Cathy Strange, Whole Foods, Austin, Texas
• Cowgirl Creamery Mt Tam Triple Creme
• Hervé Mons Mary Dans Les Etoiles
• Isigny Crème Fraiche
• Klare Melk Truffle Gouda (in stores year round)
• Mitica 24 Months Parmigiano-Reggiano DOP
Paul McClean, Stew Leonard’s, Norwalk, Connecticut
• Key West Shrimp
• Organic Citrus and Berries
• Stew Leonard’s Chef-Made Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• Stew Leonard’s Fresh Mozzarella
• Stew Leonard’s Organic Sourdough Bread
“Made from scratch every day, Stew’s fresh mozzarella is crafted right before our customers’ eyes and is one of the greatest shows to see at Stew’s. Our cheesemakers stretch more than 300,000 pounds of award-winning mozzarella in-store annually.” –Paul McLean, Stew Leonard’s
Related: Buyers' Picks: Diverse Food Brands; Buyers' Picks: Trendy Teas.
Photo: Stew Leonard's