Following months of tasting and testing, we finally finished reviewing over 100 products from this year’s sold-out Summer Fancy Food Show and have narrowed down our choices to the best of the best to share with you, including Sofi Award winners.
The following 12 (as in the 12 Days of Christmas) curated finds will be featured here in two installments starting with Mediterranean Food Gifts (including pantry staples) and will be followed by Mediterranean Charcuterie & Beverages for entertaining. Our picks come from Greece, Italy, France, Ibiza, and Morocco, along with a couple inspired by Greece. As an added bonus, you’ll find items in both posts that can easily cross over between categories covering everything trending for your holiday menus, snacking, and sipping by the fire (or TV). Get ready to be WOWED by some of the most exceptional foods and drinks we’ve sampled!
The following 12 (as in the 12 Days of Christmas) curated finds will be featured here in two installments starting with Mediterranean Food Gifts (including pantry staples) and will be followed by Mediterranean Charcuterie & Beverages for entertaining. Our picks come from Greece, Italy, France, Ibiza, and Morocco, along with a couple inspired by Greece. As an added bonus, you’ll find items in both posts that can easily cross over between categories covering everything trending for your holiday menus, snacking, and sipping by the fire (or TV). Get ready to be WOWED by some of the most exceptional foods and drinks we’ve sampled!
MEDITERRANEAN PANTRY
These are the ideal gifts for bakers and chefs, including you!
Molino Dallagiovanna Italian Flour
Flour can make or break a recipe, so its importance goes without saying. Since 1832, this premium Italian brand has been producing a variety of flours specific to each dish, including pizza, bread, pastries, and so much more. Live at the Fancy Food Show, Chef Andrea Clementi demonstrated the making of pizza dough with a final product of Napolitana that was delizioso! These flours are a comparable match to Greek flours and are more easily found in the U.S.
Available at Walmart, Amazon, and Agata & Valentina in New York City
Flour can make or break a recipe, so its importance goes without saying. Since 1832, this premium Italian brand has been producing a variety of flours specific to each dish, including pizza, bread, pastries, and so much more. Live at the Fancy Food Show, Chef Andrea Clementi demonstrated the making of pizza dough with a final product of Napolitana that was delizioso! These flours are a comparable match to Greek flours and are more easily found in the U.S.
Available at Walmart, Amazon, and Agata & Valentina in New York City
The Spice Lab
This is THE place to shop for all your spice and herb needs. Fresh, innovative, and all-inclusive, The Spice Lab has individual products, as well as gift sets. We love their new Salt, Pepper + Garlic, Garlic Salt, Tellicherry Peppercorns grinder, and Four Pepper Blend grinder. Earning high praise is their Pizza Dust that’s bright and aromatic with sea salt, garlic, onion, tomato, Aleppo pepper, fennel, and nutritional yeast (for cheesy flavor that’s dairy-free); sprinkle it on popcorn, eggs, baked potatoes, salad, mac ‘n cheese, rice, veggies, or mix it into bread or biscuit recipes. You can even combine it with olive oil for dipping bread.
This is THE place to shop for all your spice and herb needs. Fresh, innovative, and all-inclusive, The Spice Lab has individual products, as well as gift sets. We love their new Salt, Pepper + Garlic, Garlic Salt, Tellicherry Peppercorns grinder, and Four Pepper Blend grinder. Earning high praise is their Pizza Dust that’s bright and aromatic with sea salt, garlic, onion, tomato, Aleppo pepper, fennel, and nutritional yeast (for cheesy flavor that’s dairy-free); sprinkle it on popcorn, eggs, baked potatoes, salad, mac ‘n cheese, rice, veggies, or mix it into bread or biscuit recipes. You can even combine it with olive oil for dipping bread.
Moresh 100% Moroccan Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Morocco was the host country of this year’s Fancy Food Show and the olive oil from the region displayed the richness of the country’s offerings. Grown at the base of the Atlas Mountains, this fresh, sun-kissed oil offers a gentle, balanced flavor that lends fruitiness and depth to dishes. Perfect for cooking, drizzling, dipping, and everyday eating, Moresh adds a flavorful enhancement to your cuisine without being too overpowering. Enjoy the healthy benefits of olive oil without the heavy taste.
(Non-GMO Project Verified, certified Kosher)
Morocco was the host country of this year’s Fancy Food Show and the olive oil from the region displayed the richness of the country’s offerings. Grown at the base of the Atlas Mountains, this fresh, sun-kissed oil offers a gentle, balanced flavor that lends fruitiness and depth to dishes. Perfect for cooking, drizzling, dipping, and everyday eating, Moresh adds a flavorful enhancement to your cuisine without being too overpowering. Enjoy the healthy benefits of olive oil without the heavy taste.
(Non-GMO Project Verified, certified Kosher)
MEDITERRANEAN GIFT BASKETS
The following includes individual items to help create a sumptuous holiday basket, as well as prepackaged sets that are perfect for gifting on their own. We listed a selection of products we thought exceptional, but check the company websites to discover all the delectable things they have to offer.
Sal de Ibiza
The products from this Ibiza brand are numerous and offered in a stunning presentation that would in any combination make a delicious gift basket for your hostess or loved one. From traditional and flavored sea salts (including in a mill and ceramic pot) to delicately flavored chips, you’ll want to have one of each!
Chips (potato): La Vie en Rose – 2023 SOFI New Product Award
Chips "La Vie en Rose" is elegantly flavored, crunchy, and has a subtle rose note. The Agria Spanish gourmet potato is kettle fried in virgin sunflower oil and finished with hand-harvested fleur de sel and delicate rose pedal flakes. Quality, tradition, and passion melt together in a stylish pink packaging.
Other chip flavors: Fleur de Sel, White Truffle, Smoky Paprika, Salt & Vinegar
Sea Salt: Fleur de Sel La Vie en Rose – 2023 SOFI New Product Award
Made with hand-harvested salt flowers, rose petals, rose buds, and a touch of precious rose oil. Use with lamb and game dishes, or with oriental-inspired meals. As a dessert salt, this pairs well with dark chocolate and ice cream.
Other Sal de Ibiza sea-salt varieties: Granita with Herbs, Mar Blau with Organic Black Garlic, Granita with Chili, Granita with Flowers, Granita with Lemongrass and Ginger, Granita with Green Peppercorn and Lemon
Shop: https://catalangourmet.com/saldeibiza
The products from this Ibiza brand are numerous and offered in a stunning presentation that would in any combination make a delicious gift basket for your hostess or loved one. From traditional and flavored sea salts (including in a mill and ceramic pot) to delicately flavored chips, you’ll want to have one of each!
Chips (potato): La Vie en Rose – 2023 SOFI New Product Award
Chips "La Vie en Rose" is elegantly flavored, crunchy, and has a subtle rose note. The Agria Spanish gourmet potato is kettle fried in virgin sunflower oil and finished with hand-harvested fleur de sel and delicate rose pedal flakes. Quality, tradition, and passion melt together in a stylish pink packaging.
Other chip flavors: Fleur de Sel, White Truffle, Smoky Paprika, Salt & Vinegar
Sea Salt: Fleur de Sel La Vie en Rose – 2023 SOFI New Product Award
Made with hand-harvested salt flowers, rose petals, rose buds, and a touch of precious rose oil. Use with lamb and game dishes, or with oriental-inspired meals. As a dessert salt, this pairs well with dark chocolate and ice cream.
Other Sal de Ibiza sea-salt varieties: Granita with Herbs, Mar Blau with Organic Black Garlic, Granita with Chili, Granita with Flowers, Granita with Lemongrass and Ginger, Granita with Green Peppercorn and Lemon
Shop: https://catalangourmet.com/saldeibiza
Kosterina – Greek olive oils and vinegars (recently featured on the Today show)
What’s not to love about this brand?! The flavored olive oils are ideal for salad dressing and marinades. The Dark Chocolate Balsamic is rich and irresistible. The fruit-infused vinegars come in fresh flavors and are mildly acidic. For gift-giving, we found the below to check every box:
Greek Herb & Lemon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Dark Chocolate Balsamic – 2022 SOFI Gold Award
Crushed Fruit Blueberry Vinegar
Crushed Fruit Vinegar Trio (Blueberry, Tangerine, Strawberry): for salads, cocktails
The brand also features Extra-Virgin Olive Oil in Organic Everyday (early harvest and cold pressed) and Extra Virgin Hydrating Face Oil.
What’s not to love about this brand?! The flavored olive oils are ideal for salad dressing and marinades. The Dark Chocolate Balsamic is rich and irresistible. The fruit-infused vinegars come in fresh flavors and are mildly acidic. For gift-giving, we found the below to check every box:
Greek Herb & Lemon Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Dark Chocolate Balsamic – 2022 SOFI Gold Award
Crushed Fruit Blueberry Vinegar
Crushed Fruit Vinegar Trio (Blueberry, Tangerine, Strawberry): for salads, cocktails
The brand also features Extra-Virgin Olive Oil in Organic Everyday (early harvest and cold pressed) and Extra Virgin Hydrating Face Oil.
Liokareas – Greek olive oils, vinegar, olives; plus a Harvest tour in Greece!
Flavored olive oils are not only delicious but versatile. This brand has a large variety to suit any culinary purpose.
Our favorites include:
Cold-Fused Oregano Olive Oil
Cold-Fused Basil Olive Oil
Orange Olive Oil
Olive Oil Variety Pack (lemon, orange, basil, garlic, early harvest)
Flavored olive oils are not only delicious but versatile. This brand has a large variety to suit any culinary purpose.
Our favorites include:
Cold-Fused Oregano Olive Oil
Cold-Fused Basil Olive Oil
Orange Olive Oil
Olive Oil Variety Pack (lemon, orange, basil, garlic, early harvest)
Trésors French Butter Crackers with Roquefort & Honey (Epicure Foods Corp) – 2023 New Product SOFI Award
These crackers are a tasty gourmet snack or meze accompaniment. Every little cracker is traditionally baked in France using the renowned French Roquefort PDO blue cheese and a hint of honey. Thirty percent real Roquefort is incorporated in the recipe.
These crackers are a tasty gourmet snack or meze accompaniment. Every little cracker is traditionally baked in France using the renowned French Roquefort PDO blue cheese and a hint of honey. Thirty percent real Roquefort is incorporated in the recipe.
Solenzi Boscaiola Porcini Vegan Cream Sauce (porcini mushrooms & Champagne porcini)
This bestselling heat-and-serve cream sauce is so luxuriously rich, creamy, and delicious, you’ll never guess it’s dairy free. Serve over pasta, ravioli, fish, poultry, pork, or meat.
(Organic, vegan, clean ingredients, sugar-, dairy-, soy-, nut-, and gluten-free)
This bestselling heat-and-serve cream sauce is so luxuriously rich, creamy, and delicious, you’ll never guess it’s dairy free. Serve over pasta, ravioli, fish, poultry, pork, or meat.
(Organic, vegan, clean ingredients, sugar-, dairy-, soy-, nut-, and gluten-free)
Mixed Up Nut Butter
We Greeks love our nuts and this brand’s Craft Nut & Seed Butter varieties are nut butter transported to epicurean status! They have six uniquely delicious flavors, including our picks: Mud Season (coffee, crunchy cacao nib, almond, cashew) and The New Favorite (almond, pecan, cashew). The creative flavor combinations, textures, minimally-processed ingredients, and quality (gluten- and dairy-free, vegan, non-GMO) allow the rich flavors of these nuts and seeds to shine. Spread it on apple slices, toast, crackers, ice cream, or try out recipes on Mixed Up’s site. Gift one of their holiday-collection boxes and you’ll be on the Nice list!
We Greeks love our nuts and this brand’s Craft Nut & Seed Butter varieties are nut butter transported to epicurean status! They have six uniquely delicious flavors, including our picks: Mud Season (coffee, crunchy cacao nib, almond, cashew) and The New Favorite (almond, pecan, cashew). The creative flavor combinations, textures, minimally-processed ingredients, and quality (gluten- and dairy-free, vegan, non-GMO) allow the rich flavors of these nuts and seeds to shine. Spread it on apple slices, toast, crackers, ice cream, or try out recipes on Mixed Up’s site. Gift one of their holiday-collection boxes and you’ll be on the Nice list!
TBJ Gourmet - Bacon Jams
This is your whole-hog bacon JAM: Savory bacon at its jammiest in Greek-inspired Uncured with Figs. And it doesn’t stop there with more mind-blowing flavors, including Classic Uncured, Uncured Black Peppercorn (2017 winner-Fancy Food Show Front Burner Competition), Uncured Sweet Chili, as well as tomato jams, Bacon Chocolate Bar, and seasonings: Smoked Bacon Maple Sugar, Himalayan Ghost Salt, Smoked Bacon Salt.
This is your whole-hog bacon JAM: Savory bacon at its jammiest in Greek-inspired Uncured with Figs. And it doesn’t stop there with more mind-blowing flavors, including Classic Uncured, Uncured Black Peppercorn (2017 winner-Fancy Food Show Front Burner Competition), Uncured Sweet Chili, as well as tomato jams, Bacon Chocolate Bar, and seasonings: Smoked Bacon Maple Sugar, Himalayan Ghost Salt, Smoked Bacon Salt.
Festive Chickpeas
Add some “Festive” to your gift baskets with these irresistible chickpeas. From snacking to adding flavor and a healthy crunch to salads, soups, and so much more, these chickpeas stuff 10 grams of protein into every pocket-sized bag and come in crave-satisfying flavors, including sour cream and onion, sweet and smoky BBQ, ranch, mild and fiery spicy, and sea salt. They’re also rich in fiber, iron, potassium with zero trans fats, and are low in calories. Chips just met their match!
Add some “Festive” to your gift baskets with these irresistible chickpeas. From snacking to adding flavor and a healthy crunch to salads, soups, and so much more, these chickpeas stuff 10 grams of protein into every pocket-sized bag and come in crave-satisfying flavors, including sour cream and onion, sweet and smoky BBQ, ranch, mild and fiery spicy, and sea salt. They’re also rich in fiber, iron, potassium with zero trans fats, and are low in calories. Chips just met their match!
7th Heaven Chocolate
(award-winning Best Vegan Chocolate)
In every gift basket should be something sweet and this heavenly brand has Greeks saying “Amen”! All their varieties are silky, delicious, creamy, plant-based milk chocolate that will satisfy any milk-chocolate lover! They’re so good that you’ll never guess they’re vegan. And the Pistachio & Halva Cream snack bar hits the Greek treat sweet spot!
Other divine varieties:
Vegan bars: Classic Chocolate Treat, Peanut Butter Cream Chocolate Treat, Caramel and Sea Salt Chocolate Treat, White & Cookies Chocolate Treat, Hazelnut Cream Chocolate Treat
Snack bars: Rice Crisps & Hazelnut Cream, Peanut Butter & Cornflakes, Pistachio & Halva Cream, Caramelized Coconut
I hope you and those on your Nice list enjoy these wonderful edible gifts! Next week we’ll feature more wonderful products from the Fancy Food Show that you can add to your holiday charcuterie board. Our cookbooks Kukla’s Kouzina: Meze and Spreads & Dips can also be nice additions to gift baskets for anyone who loves to cook!
Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.
Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday!
Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!
Kelly
(award-winning Best Vegan Chocolate)
In every gift basket should be something sweet and this heavenly brand has Greeks saying “Amen”! All their varieties are silky, delicious, creamy, plant-based milk chocolate that will satisfy any milk-chocolate lover! They’re so good that you’ll never guess they’re vegan. And the Pistachio & Halva Cream snack bar hits the Greek treat sweet spot!
Other divine varieties:
Vegan bars: Classic Chocolate Treat, Peanut Butter Cream Chocolate Treat, Caramel and Sea Salt Chocolate Treat, White & Cookies Chocolate Treat, Hazelnut Cream Chocolate Treat
Snack bars: Rice Crisps & Hazelnut Cream, Peanut Butter & Cornflakes, Pistachio & Halva Cream, Caramelized Coconut
I hope you and those on your Nice list enjoy these wonderful edible gifts! Next week we’ll feature more wonderful products from the Fancy Food Show that you can add to your holiday charcuterie board. Our cookbooks Kukla’s Kouzina: Meze and Spreads & Dips can also be nice additions to gift baskets for anyone who loves to cook!
Sign up for our e-newsletter (if you haven’t already) and stay connected on social media for cooking tips and recipes, as well as for all Kukla's Kouzina updates and news.
Thanks for following us and we’ll see you next Monday!
Until then~
Kali orexi! Good appetite!
Kelly
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Web design by Kelly Salonica Staikopoulos
