Posted by Ben | Under The Best -- Gourmet Gifts
Saturday Aug 23, 2008
Ok folks, if you like shortbreads, you are going to go ape over these!
Several months ago, I was at the gift shop at the JW Marriottin Orlando, Florida, to buy a bottle of water but quickly catching my attention were the nicely packaged shortbreads… McTavishChocoloate Chip. Forgetting my diet, I bought one package and gobbled them down outside the gift shop. To be honest, I opened them inside the gift shop and started chowing down before I could even pay for them!
The chocolate chip shortbreads took me on a time journey back about 30 years. Our neighbor, Granny McGill would bake the best snickerdoodle cookies for the Christmas open house at my parents store, B-Hive Flowers & Gifts in Immokalee, Florida. Not since those opens houses have I had a baked good that reminded me of Granny McGill’s treats.
When I returned to work several days later, I found the McTavish website and wrote to compliment them on their products… below is the e-mail I recieved in response (and it is symbolic of the homebaked quality)…
Wow, thanks, Ben – we really appreciate it when someone takes the time to write and tell us about their McTavish experience!
Yes, this is a family venture. My husband and I have owned and operated the company since 1993; our daughter is our office assistant and customer service manager.
I am glad that you have noticed and appreciated the homemade qualities of the cookies. That is not an accident; we strive for that taste and quality by sourcing really great ingredients, not just the ones that might be less expensive – usually quite the opposite. We also process the cookies mostly by hand, which does result in a more homemade taste. I’m also glad that you discovered how well they freeze – that can keep the cookies practically like fresh baked for several months.
As my husband says – you keep eating them, we’ll just bake more! 
Posted by Ben | Under Celebrity Foodies, The Best -- Gourmet Gifts
Saturday Aug 16, 2008
 During my time with Northwood University, I came to know Wally via the Outstanding Business Leader Association events. He is a captivating speaker and someone that brightens any room. Most folks know him as “Famous Amos” but others know him as a champion of literacy. He is an unabashed supporter of education, and someone who is committed to making a difference in the lives of others.
In 1975, Wally introduced the chocolate chip to cookie dough, and the rest is history. The Wally Amos chocolate chip cookie recipe of pure, rich chocolate chips, soft brown sugar, fresh eggs, flour, butter, and 100% natural vanilla extract remains true to the first, inspirational taste Wally experienced in his Aunt Della’s kitchen when he was a boy.
Today at Chip and Cookie in Oahu Kailua Town Hawaii, customers are immediately rewarded with the amazingly sweet aroma emanating from a sumptuous array of Wally’s freshly baked cookies.
Inspirational varieties include chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, chocolate chip with pecan cookies, butterscotch chip with pecan cookies, and chocolate chip with macadamia nut cookies. Hand made with no preservatives and no trans fat. If in Hawaii, stop in to his place for a free sample. Or, order online or give him a call. Oddly enough, he answers his own phone quite often!
Wally is one of a kind and someone that you will never forget. Oh, he loves to play the kazoo and often opens many speechs with a quick rendition! www.chipandcookie.com
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Posted by Ben | Under The Best -- Gourmet Gifts
Wednesday Aug 13, 2008
Folks, if you like pralines, you must try these made by Aunt Aggie De’s founder, Eleanor Harron. She has perfected the praline. I bet anyone $100 that no finer praline can be found.
Several years ago, I received a “Pecan Lover’s Delight” basket from Maureen Donnell in honor of my 37th birthday. The gift included a sampling of pralines (creamy, original, chocolate), peanut brittle, shelled pecans, and their famous ’sauce duo’.
The sauce duo consists of two jars – one fudge, and the other praline. The praline sauce is perfect. I cannot fathom that anyone could produce anything better (or even comparable). My father, a diabetic, ate the entire jar of the praline sauce 
and could hardly get out of bed the next day. The sugar content of this sauce is higher than the national debt, which means that it is delicious!
Simply put, this company produces outstanding pralines. If you check their website, you will see that my review is listed among their testimonials.
www.auntaggiede.com
Posted by Ben | Under The Best -- Gourmet Gifts
Tuesday Aug 12, 2008
If you like peaches, you are in for a real treat!
The Greenbrier peaches are known for their sweet juicy flavor. I was first introduced to these peaches by friends, Leo & Kathryn Vecellio. They are native West Virginians and regular guests at the resort. Katie told me about peaches and would bring me several cans every time they visited. By the time they landed in West Palm Beach, the peaches thawed a bit but still icy cold. The puree is like heavenly nectar. This is a gift that is to be shared ONLY with the true ‘foodie’.
You can order a can and it will be shipped overnight. The cost is about $69 (includi
ng shipping) for a 4.5lb can. A bit pricey but worth every penny.
The Greenbrier is an award-winning resort located in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. As a National Historic landmark, The Greenbrier’s classic architecture, exquisite interior design, carefully sculpted landscape, impeccable service and outstanding amenities have hosted distinguished guests from around the world since 1778.
www.greenbriershopping.com
Posted by Ben | Under The Best -- Gourmet Gifts
Sunday Aug 10, 2008
Brenda Jessup is an incredible baker and someone that has perfected the bundt cake. In 1995, she formally began baking her cakes and since that time, thousands of folks have raved about her baked goods.
Each of Brenda’s cakes are baked from scratch and use only the finest ingredients. Everything is fresh, hand chopped and never commercially produced. My all time favorite is the “Orange Starr Chip”. It is a pound cake that is baked in a bundt, full of chocolate chips, and then soaked in an orange ‘bath’. Moist, rich, gooey (in texture) and sinfully delicious.
This is the perfect gift for the person who has everything, business associate, and just about anyone else. I love giving this gift as the recipient always enjoys every bite!
Oh, in addition to the Orange Starr Chip, Brenda bakes about a dozen others… and I have sampled all of them… and they are great too! If you really want a treat, ask Brenda if you can try the cake batter!
www.brendastarrsgourmetgoodies.com
Ok folks, if you like shortbreads, you are going to go ape over these! 
