Gift A Feast and A Food Gal Giveaway
Who wouldn’t want to receive a gift like this?
As you start making your holiday list and checking it twice, you just might want to consider Gift A Feast for the foodies in your life.
The local company sources the best hand-crafted food products in the Bay Area, then assembles them in curated collections that are hand-wrapped and delivered with a hand-written note.
It was started by Gypsy Achong, an environmental microbiologist and engineer, who decided to give up science to pursue her passion for food.
The gift collections range from “A Feast of Ice Cream Toppings” ($44.95), which includes June Taylor’s “Princess Peach” Syrup, Toffee Talk Crumble Mumble, and Cocotutti Cappuccino Truffles; to “A Personal Tea Ceremony” ($194.95), which includes Cocotutti brandy truffles, June Taylor Candied Meyer Lemon Peel, a creamer wrapped in parchment paper, an eggshell-glazed cup, a tea strainer, bamboo scoop and an Aerolatte frother.
Recently, I had a chance to try a sample of “A Feast of Merry Treats” ($49.95). Anyone receiving this would definitely feel special, what with the pretty ribbon-tied tower of little boxes.
Front to back: Neo Cocoa truffles, Toffee Talk toffee, and Cocotutti truffles.
The smallest held two pieces of Toffee Talk toffee that had great crunch and a deep caramel flavor.
Underneath was a box of Cocotutti truffles, two each of the Lavender Lemon and the Orange Confit, the latter of which has a really complex citrus flavor.
Next, a box of Neo Cocoa handmade truffles: Zested Lime, Toasted Coconut, Mocha Cinnamon, Crushed Cocoa Nib, and my favorite, Almond Butter & Smoked Sea Salt. These truffles have an amazingly dense yet smooth texture.
Fabulous June Taylor candied Meyer lemon peel.
Finally, there was a tin of June Taylor Meyer Lemon Candied Peel, which I couldn’t stop eating. The soft, sugary, floral, slightly bitter rinds are truly addictive.
Gift A Feast makes it easy to give someone dear a real taste of the Bay Area.
CONTEST: One lucky Food Gal reader will win “A Feast of Merry Treats” as described above. Entries, limited to those in the continental United States, will be accepted through midnight PST Nov. 16. Winner will be announced Nov. 18.
How to win?
Just tell me what you most look forward to feasting on at this time of year. Best answer wins.
Here’s my own answer:
“Carbs! Let’s just say that a low-carb diet would be anathema to me. I’m a gal who loves carbs year-round. But especially now. Let me count the ways: turkey stuffing, homemade herb rolls, rich scalloped potatoes, mile-high apple pie, cranberry-walnut muffins and Christmas cookies of any kind. Some people may look most forward to the turkey or ham or prime rib on the holiday table. Not me — I go for all the good stuff on the side.”
I like the savory stuff – turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes…
I’m a native Californian, but because most of my family hails from the great state of New York, we ship in food from Carnegie Deli for our Hanukkah celebration each year. Among my favorite items are cinnamon babka, pastrami, and Rye bread that will make any mensch swoon!
During the holiday season, I look forward to what I’m NOT eating. The answer? Nothing.
As a southern transplant to California, I’m looking forward to replacing turducken, cranberry molds, and mashed potatoes with farro, kale, butternut squash, and other food I love but never ate in the deep south. My family is visiting for Thanksgiving and I’m hoping I’ll be able to expand their notion of what “holiday eating” means.
I’m looking forward to all the delicious desserts and sides! But the best part is being in a food coma with the people you love.
I look forward to eating anything that won’t upset my stomach. My stomach is like a ticking time bomb, and I am always looking for the perfect food.
I look forward to our family and friends getting together for a Thanksgiving feast with no boundaries food-wise but this is a day of expressing gratitude for blessings bestowed upon us. I actually look forward to all the food prep although it’s not like the old movie or TV show “Soul Food” where we saw all of the various family members chipping in to stir and cook all the favorite Sunday dinner family dishes. Although I end up preparing most of the feast, I do enjoy bringing family and friends together for the feast of squash casserole, green beans, turkey and sage dressing, pecan pie just to name a few. We can’t omit the “Ding Ding Salad” named from my Aunt Glodean of marshmallows, fruit cocktail and sour cream or whip cream. This is proclaimed a special holiday that gives everyone the privilege to “pig out” on holiday foods and not feel guilty but just enjoy and savor the tastes and enjoy the gathering of loved ones.
I’m looking forward to a big plate of leftovers the day after Thanksgiving…mashed potatoes, stuffing, greenbean casserole, sweet potato casserole (my fav), and a cold turkey sandwich w/ cranberries and may. YUM! Is it Thanksgiving yet? gobble gobble 🙂
This is very difficult. I used to look forward to being able to eat a lil’ bit of everything, but due to dietary restrictions, I can’t anymore. I may be able to eat a couple of bites of jello, gravy, & a smidgen of pie..but that’s ok. I am happy to be alive, thankful to share with others what little we have & blessed to know the difference!!
Well, since my diet starts (again) January 1st, I look forward to eating anything I can get my hands on. But there’s also something to be said about drinking my way through the holidays! I make a mean drink called Jack Frost that stars Rum and Blue Caracao; also a really yummy coffee drink made with frozen coffee ice cubes, baileys & vanilla vodka. And my newest addition, a Mistletoe Margarita with gin, tequila, cranberries, etc.
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i’ve always been one to use the dinner plate for my desserts and the dessert plate for my dinner. whose idea was it to make dessert plates so small? nonsense. 🙂
Gah! I am so happy this question is being asked, as my excitement cannot be contained any longer. My answer would have to be ANYTHING Christmas related! I know I sound way too exuberant about a simple question, but the reality is that I am Jewish and have always happily celebrated Chanukah by twisting on those cheap yet totally magical florescent “flame†bulbs and indulging in a few latkes with applesauce and sugary jelly stuffed sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). But I have recently moved to D.C. and my aunt has graciously opened her door to me until I find a job. She is Catholic and I cannot be more excited about celebrating the holidays her way. I have been told there will be Honey ham (just like in all the Christmas movies). I can only wish it will appear as glistening and lustrous as portrayed in those classics. Additionally, several batches of Christmas cookies will be at hand to sober up the family members shamelessly gulping down the cola de mono, a Chilean interpretation of eggnog, that literally means, “Monkey’s tail.†I plan to contribute by making some matzo ball soup. Why? Because I can and it is delicious. These beautifully packaged treats would immediately be put under their freshly picked Christmas tree (which I am also very excited to take part in). It would be the least I could do to show her my gratitude for taking me into her home and letting me experience a cultural first.
The prize looks good!!