What do you most associate with the holidays? Of course, there’s religious significance, family, Santa Claus, trees and toys. But what about food? Have you listened to the words of “Sleigh Ride” or “The Christmas Song?” There is food in those lyrics.
The winter holidays, regardless of which or how you celebrate, have unending culinary connections, from Hanukkah gelt (chocolate gold) to candy canes, so why not give food-connected gifts from local, Brevard businesses?
Here are a few suggestions to inspire you.
1. Cooking class and dinner at Gathering Table
An interactive cooking class and dinner at Gathering Table, 318 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne is all the rage to learn to cook, and later eat, fine food in a semi-classroom setting. Gathering Table offers a variety of classes that include vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free cuisines, as well as those from around the world.
Each class usually is comprised of eight to 10 people, and dinner starts with appetizers prepared in the four-station kitchen; the rest is placed on tables, family-style.
Classes are not for culinary wimps: “Decadence” features brie crostini with forest mushroom ragout; bacon-wrapped, Gorgonzola-stuffed Bourbon figs; kale Caesar; Meyer lemon, mascarpone and Parmesan arancini with house-made tomato sauce; thick-cut pork chop Marsala pan-seared snapper with lemon beurre blanc; and molten peanut butter chocolate lava cake.
Most dinners cost $85. Call 321-345-1965 or go to gatheringtablefl.com.
2. Holiday gift baskets at From Olives and Grapes
From Olives and Grapes has locations in Cocoa and Melbourne, and will create gift baskets featuring their premium olive oils and flavored vinegars.
Consider holiday gift bags or baskets from From Olives and Grapes, 12 Oleander St. Cocoa; or 912A E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne. This year the shops, each of which is located in one of Brevard’s premier downtowns, will do gift baskets that feature premium olive oils from all over the world, and the dark and white balsamic, flavored and other vinegars for which the business is famous. Those cost $25 each.
On the other hand, if you would like to give gifts like Persian lime-infused olive oil or Tropical Slaw white balsamic vinegar blend; plus a jar or two of tapenade, jam, mustard or sauce, you can pick your own products, from which owner Pam Shaia and company will make up a gift basket.
Costs of those depend on what you want in them, usually from about $35 to about $70. Call 321-676-8918 or go to shopfromolivesandgrapes.com.
3. Stone crab claws from Indialantic Seafood Co.
Stone crab legs from Indialantic Seafood Co. are an especially decadent gift, but make sure you place your order at least a week in advance.
How about stone crab claws from Indialantic Seafood Co., 826 Miramar Ave. N., Indialantic? Owner and fisherman Patrick Zabisky formerly owned a stone crab company in the Bahamas, but now he brings to his Brevard store the most luxurious jumbo claws he can get.
You’ll get about three claws to a pound of what Zabisky describes as “rich, sweet-tasting crab,” unlike any other, served with mustard sauce also made in Zabisky’s store, where he and his associates will be “happy to crack them for you,” in his words again.
Stone crab is not cheap – it goes for about $65 per pound at Indialantic Seafood – but it goes quickly, so Christmas orders should be placed at least a week in advance. Call 321-914-3989.
4. Seasoning blends from Scott’s on Fifth
Any chef would appreciate the seasoning blends by Scott Earick of Scott’s on Fifth, 141 Fifth Ave., Indialantic. There are reasons Earick gets so much positive attention, and many of them have to do with sheer creativity.
His latest venture is a group of herb-and-spice blends that have gone over well enough for Earick to have started an Amazon store, and for his packeted products to be seen in markets like Urban Prime and the Melbourne Beach Market. He says they make excellent stocking-stuffers.
The first was Signature Blend, which Earick says may be used at any meal, on anything; it contains Himalaya salt, paprika, pepper, onion, garlic, cayenne, turmeric and coriander. The others – No-Salt Explosion and Tuscan Blend – are catching up, and another product is due out soon.
Each 3-ounce packet costs $15 and may be purchased at Indialantic Seafood Co., Melbourne Beach Market, Urban Prime and naturally, Scott’s on Fifth. Call 321-729-9779 or visit scottsonfifth.com.
5. Cookies from The Sweet Heartist
The Sweet Heartist bakery in Suntree offers gourmet cookies, perfect for gift-giving.
Cookies from the Sweet Heartist, 7777 N. Wickham Road, Suntree: Crystal Morales has baked big, rich, crispy and/or gooey cookies since 2016 and the race is on to get her products as holiday gifts.
Her most popular array is a boxed assortment, with individually wrapped or other cookies, the possibilities for which are, in December: shortbread, gingerbread, Andes mint, peanut butter kiss, snickerdoodle, as well as chocolate chip with sea salt and Funfetti.
Find more at thesweetheartist.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard businesses offer local gifts for the foodies in your life
