Features Gift Guide Holiday Best of CT Specialty Products Homepage CTbites Holiday Gift Guide For CT Food Lovers (2021 Edition) April Guilbault November 26, 2021 While this year somehow crept slowly and at warp-speed at the same time, holiday season has finally arrived at our feet. And shipping issues be damned-we’ve got a great list here of local-to-Connecticut vendors whipping up all sorts of unique goods that will make for a fun gift-giving season. Isn’t that a good feeling? Giving a gift you know someone will love and knowing that it’s locally made? Sure is. Just to be clear, since we all have a bit of wanderlust after these long 18 months, we have included a few vendors beyond the confines of our state for good measure (just order as soon as you finish reading this). Have a wonderful holiday season, everyone! AMG Catering & Events-Wilton www.amgcatering.comLooking for an “experience” this year instead of a tangible gift? Give yourself or your loved ones the gift of cooking this holiday season and purchase a gift certificate. Join award winning chef Alison Milwe Grace of AMG Catering and Events at her state-of-the-art professional kitchen for safe and hands-on “secret” chef tips (shhh), educational and downright delicious cooking classes. They never disappoint; AMG has been named best cooking school four years in a row by Gold Coast! They have an amazing line up of classes for Winter 2022. From boozy brunch class to couples Valentine’s Day classes to Chinese New Years class...they are offering gift certificates for their winter classes, or you can organize your own private group cooking class. Life is short-eat well, live well. Why not, right?Alma Mexican Food-Westport www.almamexicanfoods.comThese authentic artisanal Mexican salsas will allow you to experience the flavor of real Mexican food without having to travel to Mexico. They are created by hand using fresh and simple ingredients and are made in small batches. The Salsa Macha from the state of Veracruz in Mexico is very unique and extremely versatile, and was named Condiment of the Year in 2020 by the New York Times. It is an oil-based salsa with dried chiles, peanuts and sesame seeds. A version with dried fruit is also available. Choose from three Holiday boxes: Macha Mix, which has original Salsa Macha, Salsa Macha with cherries and Macha with Cranberries; The Mix and Match, containing Salsa Macha, a Charred Tomato Salsa and a cooked Green Salsa; and the Traditional Salsa box with Charred Tomato and Green Salsas, which can be spicy or mild. Shipping available for the holidays! Thanks for supporting local artisans! Aya’s Table-Fairfield www.ayastable.comLooking for a fun and unique holiday gift for your friends and family or for your colleagues, clients and teachers? Then you must try Aya's Tasty AF Hot Chili Oil, a local condiment made here in Connecticut. It all started when Aya started sharing her homemade chili oil with her cooking class students, fellow local chefs, and foodie friends - the rest is history! Through the magic of word-of-mouth it has become everyone's new favorite pantry staple. Aya's Tasty AF Hot Chili Oil is a small batch condiment made with quality ingredients and love; gluten-free, nut-free, plant-based, no added sugar, it’s not too spicy and compliments all types of food from eggs and avocado toast, to pizza, pasta, burgers, and more. Think of it as an exceptional flavor enhancer, and you will be the next person to get hooked! Also, contrary to popular belief, the “AF” is not what you think it might mean; those are the creator Aya's initials! Eat Your Greens Bouquets-Westport www.eatyourgreensbouquet.comLooking to bring something different for the holidays? Visit www.EatYourGreensBouquet.com to pre-order an entirely edible fruit and vegetable bouquet for every occasion and as hostess gifts. They are just as beautiful as flowers, but instead of throwing them away, you cook them! How brilliant is that? Great for those who love food and who love to be eco-friendly. Visit their website’s recipes page for ideas on how to cook your vegetables after display. Eat Your Greens Bouquets delivers within Fairfield County, with pick-up only in Westport on Christmas Day. Use code CTBites2021 for $10 off of your order. Follow them and view their new creations on Facebook and Instagram @EatYourGreensBouquet for promotions and updates on our new bouquets.Local To Market-Westport www.localtomarket.comGift giving just got a whole lot easier on Main Street in Westport, with the opening of the new Local To Market. Not only can you pick up great locally sourced food and goodies for your holiday meals, you can also get a CT-made Local To Market Gift Basket, gift cards, and browse the Art Gallery curated by the Artist Collective of Westport. The Local To Market store features items from all over the state including amazing local cheese, jams, breads, milk, Eggnog, charcuterie, apple cider, eggs, meats, honey, syrups, snacks and more. Plus, indulge yourself with fantastic locally made skin care products and candles. Check them out at https://www.localtomarket.com/ or call them at 203-767-1865, and follow them on Instagram at @localtomarket. Local To Market. Eat Well. Live Well. Do Well.Mozy-Westport https://www.getthemozy.com/discount/CTBMOZY20 Calling all foodie fans of outdoor dining, breweries, vineyards, tailgating, camping, and firepits...or anyone who enjoys the outdoors! Mozy has your perfect gift that takes a bite out of the cold. Mozy-The Jacket for your legs-is the innovative, versatile apparel for your lower body developed for superior warmth and seamless mobility offering over 500% more warmth than outdoor blankets! Mozy wraps around your lower body with a secure, water-resistant enclosure for the ultimate, hands-free protection from the elements. The sophisticated, technical design provides cozy, layered insulation that is ideal for any outdoor social space whether sitting, standing or walking. Those damp, freezing restaurant seats are no longer a concern with Mozy. Don't let anyone experience FOMO because of the cold…live life warmly! Get the Mozy at 20% OFF with code CTBMOZY20 Nutmeg & Honey-West Hartford www.nutmeghoney.comGift some gourmet local goodies this year! Nutmeg + Honey is a gifting boutique that sources locally-made items from Connecticut farms, artisans, and small businesses creating beautiful and truly unique gift boxes. Every gift is thoughtfully curated and supports between three and nine Connecticut small businesses, including their keepsake navy blue boxes and crates, which are also locally made! From teas, biscuits and chocolates to candles, cheeseboards, pottery, soaps, body products and baby clothes, every item in every box hails from our Nutmeg state. Gifts include a handwritten note for a personal touch. Custom, wedding, and corporate gifting is available, as well as nationwide shipping. www.nutmeghoney.com Albannach Leather-Norwalkhttps://www.etsy.com/shop/AlbannachLeather?ref=shop_suggHandcrafted and locally made in Southern Connecticut, these leather goods are made with supple leather in a variety of gorgeous colors. Choose from elegant cleaver sleeves to wraps for your Yeti Ramblers, whiskey glasses, along with simple, modern napkin rings. Items can be monogrammed, just to take that glass of Bourbon over the top.Castle Hill Chocolates-Newtownwww.castlehillchocolate.comSure, Castle Hill Chocolates makes gorgeous small-batch chocolates-they have reduced-sugar and nut-free collections, but now they also have a Guilt Free Collection: Chocolate Soap-for bathing, not eating- and a Chocolate candle that sends wafts of melted chocolate scent into your surroundings. Cheesemonger Gift Box-Fairfieldwww.cheesemongerbox.comA must-have artisan cheese subscription that is freshly cut-to-order and delivered straight to doorsteps for an incredible nibbling experience. This is a gift every cheese lover needs in their life! Selections are carefully curated to include the small batch artisanal to the traditional. Choose from Classic, Signature or Build Your Own boxes, all either as a one-time gift or monthly subscriptions of varying duration.The Cannoli Pie Company-Bridgeportwww.thecannolipiecompany.comLove cannoli? How about a whole PIE of it? You can share the creamy, dreamy love of this dessert and ship it to one of your favorite cannoli lovers. Made proudly in Connecticut for 3 generations.Fatto a Mano-Monroewww.fattoamanobreads.comArtisanal Italian micro-bakery specializing in sourdough-based delights-crisp and chewy bread, decadent pastries and make sure to beeline here for your sky-high, delectable holiday Panettone. Perfect for your own celebrations or as homey yet perfectly elegant gifts.Grace Farms Foods-New Canaanwww.gracefarmsfoods.comA 100% not-for-profit food line of organic whole bean coffee, naturally sweetened herbal teas, and chocolate chip cookies for subscription or in bundled gift sets. With each purchase you help support Grace Farms’ environmental, social, and gender parity causes. Mystic Knotwork-Mysticwww.mysticknotwork.comElegant and seaworthy bottle stoppers, trivets, coasters, napkin rings in nautical colors, wine charms, table card holders-everything is made of handmade sailor knots. All are great conversation pieces and perfect for the nautical lover or New England lover.Nodine’s Smokehouse-Torringtonwww.nodines-smokehouse.comSend a gift that will be welcomed-their new Charcuterie Box (cutting board, smoked cheese, sausage, crackers, honey mustard), A Bacon Box (7 different kinds of bacon from Smoked Bayou to Smoked Hickory Juniper and Smoke Garlic), The New England Breakfast or the Yankee Sampler Box. They also have a Snack Box brimming with kielbasa, sausage, cheeses and crackers so you can eat your way into the new year.Oysterman’s Daughter-Norwalkwww.oystermansdaughter.comShip some oysters, clams, or lobster, add a bottle of cocktail sauce, a shucking kit, serving trays and lobster crackers…you’re getting the jist! All make for a fun, tasty and memorable gift.Simpson & Vail-Brookfieldwww.svtea.comCreating blends of the finest tea since 1929, right here in CT. With their myriad of themed gift boxes (Literary Tea, Green Tea Box, Holiday Tea, Dessert Tea, National Park Tea Sampler), you are sure to find the perfect, tea-tasting gift.Turkeywoods Farm-Mysticwww.turkeywoodsfarm.comShagbark Hickory, Hickory Nut and Hickory Ginger Syrup. All-natural, gluten and corn syrup-free syrups straight from the bark of CT hickory trees. Who knew? Hickory has a light and earthy flavor which makes for a tasty, unique topping for your pancakes this season. Rest assured, no trees are harmed in the harvesting process.The Vegan Potterwww.theveganpotter.comHand-thrown Buddha Bowls, cheeky labels on their Vegan bowls (“Eat like you give a F*ck”), Gratitude Bowls that declare “Plant-Based”, tiny dishes for sauces or chocolates and ornaments so you can hang your message of Vegan Pride on your tree, gifts, or even dangle one from the rearview mirror in your car.GOOD READSUnique Eats and Eateries of Connecticut-The People and Stories Behind the Food, by Mike Urban Explore all corners of the Nutmeg State and gain a whole new appreciation through its many flavors and how they came to be. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unique-eats-and-eateries-of-connecticut-mike-urban/1139776756Adam Young’s Sift Cookbook, by Adam T. Young From the confectionary mastermind of Sift Bakeshop in Mystic, you’ll be inspired to dip your toes into the world of sweet and savory pastries. Your pastry goals for 2022 have been established.https://www.atyconfections.com/shop/cookbookBaking with Dorie: Sweet, Salty, and Simple, by Dorie Greenspan Sophisticated creations laid out in simple terms with ingredients we all have in our kitchen. It’s the best of both worlds.https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/baking-with-dorie-dorie-greenspan/1138332157?ean=9780358613336And extending our reach…SOME NATIONAL LOVE!Zest Tea www.zesttea.com Zest is a line of award winning teas with more caffeine than coffee. The caffeine and L-Theanine (a rare amino acid) in Zest Tea have a synergistic relationship that creates a prolonged, steady alertness - without the jitters and crash typically associated with caffeinated beverages. Zest Tea boosts their tea caffeine levels to 120-150mg. This is more caffeine than coffee, so you can get that energy boost without the side effects. They do this by adding additional tea extract to their teas. It's an entirely plant-based way to power your day. Furthermore, all their ingredients are non-GMO and vegan. If you select their pyramid tea sachets or loose leaf, they're entirely biodegradable too.Celebration Homewww.thecelebrationhome.comThere are chefs for hire, there are food delivery services, but this kit is the whole party-luxury party boxes arrive at your doorstep that deliver sensory, culinary, and cocktail experiences for your guests. From pre-dinner cocktails and decadent multi-course meals to place cards, menus, table accents and favors for your guests, an enthralling event awaits.Field and Forest Products www.fieldforest.netWinters inside call for indoor entertainment and this is entertainment you can use in your cooking. Mushroom grow kits! Indoor garden sets, health and chef sets or even learn how to start your own mushroom plug spawns. A new hobby.Bokksu Boxes www.bokksu.com Yearning for travel? Well, this will help satiate you for the time being. Choose 3, 6 or 12 months of curated Japanese snacks made by artisans and family-owned businesses delivered straight to your travel armchair. And curious but don’t want to commit? You can purchase a single box.Flower Pot Bread Kitwww.shopterrain.com The ultimate conversation starter for your table: the cutest breads baked in flower pots…by you (who knew you had a bread-thumb?). Includes herbs for specialty butter to slather all over that bad boy.June Ovenwww.juneoven.com12, yes 12, appliances smashed into one, sleek countertop workhorse. It air fries, dehydrates, slow cooks, grills, roasts, reheats, broils, proofs and four more things that we will let you discover, with glee, on your own. Ricki’s Cheesemaking Kitswww.cheesemaking.comCreate cheeses of all types (mascarpone! feta! mozzarella!) along with fresh yogurt and butter with these simple and family-friendly kits. Become your own cheesemonger.RESTAURANT GIFT CARDSFinally, we hope that you will consider giving restaurant gift cards this year as gifts-a thoughtful gesture which helps our favorite restaurants continue to stay afloat after a challenging eighteen months and also gives people you love a chance to start getting back out into the community. Every card purchased makes a difference.
