Pantry

We love using herbal teas and floral infusions in our cocktail and culinary recipes and were delighted to "discover" Pixie Doodle Farm, based in Brooklyn, New York with a farm in Upstate, New York in Bethel. Owned by herbalists Joe Dale Harris and Erika Boudreau-Barbee, Pixie Doodle Farm has a diverse assortment of teas, infusion kits, and more, all creatively, and gorgeously, packaged making them a perfect gift for your favorite tea lover, cocktailian, or chef. Whether sipping their inspired…

Do you love coffee cocktails but hate the time it takes to make them? We found Cask & Kettle (Hard Coffee Cocktails) the perfect solution for easy to make, easy to love cocktails that are also wonderful travel companions. With five delectable flavors, (Irish Coffee, Spiked Dry Cider, Mint Patty, Hot Blonde Coffee, and Mexican Coffee), to choose from, cocktail hour or weekend Brunch just became a whole lot easier. Serve hot or over ice and wait for the compliments.…

Khia Nelson owner and creator of K Bloody Mary Mix is a self-confessed "Bloody Mary Snob," and her no-alcohol drink-ready K Bloody Mary Mix is downright delectable. Khia used her years of hospitality experience to create her small-batch Bloody Mary Mix made in Brooklyn, New York that is not only delicious, its vegan, organic, and gluten-free. Add vodka, tequila, mezcal, sake, or gin, or serve K Bloody Mary Mix on its own and you have the makings for a great…

BE Chocolat, named for Master Chocolatier BEnoit, opened in January 2021 in the historic district of Fairfield, Connecticut, and if you thought "Willy Wonka" had fun creating chocolates, wait until you see and taste what BEnoit is creating at their gorgeousatelier. Mouthwatering, high-quality Callebaut fair trade finest Belgian chocolate is the base for BEnoit’s amazing creations with inspired flavors that tempt and tantalize the palate and are as beautiful to look at as they are tasty to eat.

We love excellent quality coffee to start our day, an espresso or iced coffee in the afternoon, as well as used in cocktail and culinary recipes. We recently "discovered" Java Love Coffee Roasting Co., and while new to us, they celebrated their 10-year anniversary on May 1, 2021. With their widely diverse selection of high-quality coffees, you can break out from your usual coffee routine and take your palate on a trip around the world with their exotic coffees from…

Always on the lookout for interesting products to incorporate in our recipes, we tried and loved Marabissi Il Panforte Torta Amerene e Peperoncino (Sour Cherries and Chili "Cake") imported by Italian Products & Beyond. The Sour Cherries and Chili Cake is like a fruit and nut pâté, that also has cocoa, almonds, and honey is a delectable accompaniment to serve with cheese as well as incorporate in baking and savory culinary recipes. We used it to create our recipe for…

As professional chefs and home cooks know, a great source for high-quality culinary ingredients is worth its weight in gold. We recently found and fell in love with the company Italian Products & Beyond that is an incredible resource for high-quality culinary ingredients. Their extensive collection of EVOOs, vinegars, truffle products, pates, pesto, tomatoes, coffee, fish, salts, nuts, sweets, and so much more, are the stuff of culinary dreams! We especially love the Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOOs) from…

Wedding season is upon us and if you are looking for inspiration for a statement cake, you will love the book, Alan Dunn’s Celebration Cakes -Beautiful Designs for Weddings, Anniversaries, and Birthdays, published by IMM Lifestyle Books. When it comes to sugar flower craftsmanship, Alan Dunn is not only a master craftsman, he is a true artist in confections.

French Chefs Florian Bellanger and Ludovic Augendre, owners of Mad Mac, whose Madeleines (the Mad part of the name) and Macarons (the Mac part) have captured connoisseurs’ hearts, have the perfect little something to give your Valentine as you whisper sweet nothings in their ear.