From cooking classes to fresh bread, give the gift of something delicious this Christmas
Here comes Santa Claus, and sometimes gift certificates and toasters just are not what you want to ask him to bring your favorite foodies. Sometimes you want to give something unexpected — a bit different — and Brevard’s merchants and restaurants can help you with that.
Whether it’s sweet treats or fresh-baked goodness, they’ve got them. You can even find gourmet gifts for your furry best friend.
And there's no time is better than now to shop local.
Locally produced and sold holiday gifts for food lovers include:
A baking class from Florida Academy of Baking
1370 State Road A1A, Suite E, Satellite Beach, fabbaker.com
A cooking class is the gift that keeps on giving, as the recipient will surely shower the giver with homemade treats. The robust class schedule includes baking (tiramisu, yeast bread, German chocolate cake) as well as chef-taught classes in sushi-making, weekly meal prep and Steak Diane. Academy students can work on their own or sign up as a duo who share the work station and the resulting treats. Cost of classes varies.
Another food-related gift: Backstreet Boy Howie D. endorses to this Brevard-created knife sharpener
A Christmas basket from VinnieLu’s Beachside Chocolates
886 Miramar Ave., Indialantic, 321-723-8000, vinnieluchocolates.com
Vinnie Grimaldi represents the 11th generation of confectioners in his family, and he and his wife Luann are understandably wild about the holidays. They make four different baskets of specialties like toasted coconut cups,, all made from true scratch: they roast and grind cacao in their shop and turn it into chocolate. Baskets cost $26, $45 and $50.
Holiday dog cookies from Tails at the Barkery
14 Oleander St. Cocoa Village, 321-305-4584, tailsatthebarkery.com
Dogs need holiday attention too, and you can give them some with festive, iced treats baked in-house by Pam Shaia and her staff. They come as stars or doggies, bones with pawprints in red or green and in various other forms, including blue ones with Hanukkah greetings, all as colorful as they are nutritious. They start at $2 per cookie and Shaia will make you a gift box for $30.
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Muffin platter from Mulberry Lane Café
3440 N. Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, 321-426-7149, facebook.com/mulberrylanecafe
Mulberry Lane first drew attention when it was a bakery that supplied muffins to local restaurants and coffee shops. Now it is a popular breakfast and lunch spot, but those muffins, which come in a wide range of flavors, remain right there, as you walk in. Platters are available in different sizes, and prices vary.
Pappa’s Honey and a honey pot from the Wooden Spoon
205 Palm Bay Road, Melbourne or in the Melbourne Square mall, 1700 W. New Haven Ave., pappashoney.com, flwoodenspoon.com
Pappa’s comes from Larry Wilson’s backyard in Canaveral Groves, in varieties such as Florida Wild, Allergy Blend and, of course, Orange Blossom, and is sold at various locations, including Grimaldi in the Avenue Viera. Prices start at $6; order online. And while Pappa’s Santa-hatted little bears make cute Yule gifts, a bright, ceramic honey jar and dipper will cost you $10.95 at either Wooden Spoon shop.
Sourdough bread from Mission Road Foods
416 Harbor City Blvd., Melbourne, 321-986-7724, missionroadfoods.com
You’re headed to see the relatives to feast on leftovers from the big meal. How great would that ham or roast beef taste on slices of fresh, warm, crusty Butter Blond sourdough, handmade by baker Bryan Fine? Not only that, but Fine will deliver it to your door.
Strawberry Balsamic and Black Pepper Jam from Space Coast Spreads, The Health Bar
854 U.S. 1, Rockledge, thehealthbarflorida.com, spacecoastspreads.com
Amy Reilly’s work first became known through her candied jalapenos, which, like other offerings, she sold at festivals and farmers’ markets. Thanks in part to The Health Bar, a smoothie bar and fresh bites place, her homemade spreads now are known throughout the area, with a fine online business as well. Her rich red Strawberry Balsamic & Black Pepper Jam is perfect for the holidays, especially for those who want a little kick in their jam.
Tea for Two at Harvest Thyme Kitchen
601 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, 321-327-3577, harvestthymekitchen.com
Tea for Two not only is what it says it is — Tuesday teatime at the downtown Melbourne eatery, complete with sweets and savouries — but a thick little book about how to do tea in proper British style. Cost of the book is $35, which includes teatime.
But wait! There's more ...
Didn't find anything to your liking above? Here are a few classic Brevard favorites:
Caramel sauce from Southern Caramel, 1280 Sarno Road, Melbourne: Cost is $9.95 for an 8-ounce jar. 321-704-9253, southerncaramel.com.
“Comfort Food with a Flair” by Stuart Borton of Yellow Dog Café, 905 U.S. Hwy. 1, Malabar: This is Borton's third cookbook. It is available in hardcover ($33.44, plus shipping and tax) or as a digital download ($9.95 plus tax). 321-956-3334, yellowdogcafe.com
Gourmet olive oils and balsamic vinegars from From Olives and Grapes, 12 Oleander St., Cocoa Village; and 912 E. New Haven Ave., Melbourne. Sample before you buy. 321-205-1740 or 321-676-8918, shopfromolivesandgrapes.com.
Chocolate-covered potato chips from Grimaldi Candy Co., 3006 Rockledge Blvd., Rockledge; and 2270 Town Center Drive, The Avenue Viera. We love the chocolate-covered candied citrus peels, too. 321-638-0702 or 338-321-7180, grimaldicandies.com.
Wine dinner at Café Margaux, 220 Brevard Ave., Cocoa Village: Six courses you won’t find on the menu plus the products of some of the world’s great wineries. Costs vary, from $110 to $150. 321-639-8343, margaux.com
Dowling is a freelance food and lifestyles writer based in Melbourne. Join the conversation at facebook.com/groups/321FlavorWhereBrevardEats.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Give the gift of something delicious from a Brevard small business
