expanding on the Globe & Mail food gift list, esp. cheese

[JennaL]

The globe and mail had an article in the life section on Wednesday about companies that you can order and ship food gifts for those chowminded people in our lives. My better half and I saw this as our saving grace since our four sets of parents officially now have all the ties/powertools/biographies/kitchen gadgetry they could possibly need. Plus, this alleviates the selection problem that can come from living in a smaller centre. Oh, and laziness too! Anyone have additional companies they suggest? We loved the idea of a cheese gift (the article referred to www.shaycheese.com) but the vendor choices started with selections that would serve 6 to 8 people which is a tad large large for just grandma - any other additions?

[Full tummy]

I am addicted to this buttercrunch:

http://www.fraktals.com/

[Olivia]

Great thread, I was just about to start an essentially identical one myself.

I tend to order from All The Best, but find them a bit expensive, so have my eyes open for something more affordable. I've also ordered from Senses in the past (not sure if they still do it), and Michael Angelo's (for deliveries in Mississauga).

Bruno's, Whole Foods, and Pusateri's also do baskets; I can't vouch for them as I've never given/recieved one from them.

I've seen ads for Nutcracker Sweet, but they seem very expensive ($65 for a bowl of nuts and a nutcracker? WTF).

In the Hamilton-Burlington area Denninger's does a great job--I only WISH they had a Toronto location <sigh> Beautiful stuff and good value.

I guess the thing is that on the one hand, there is nothing better than giving a beautiful basket full of delicious things to eat, but on the other, the markup (and delivery) on gift baskets is pretty outrageous. So, one year, I ended up crusing Chinatown and Kensington and put one together for my brother--not for the lazy, but definitely a good option for the frugal/those looking to get more bang for their buck.

[JamieK]

All the Best Fine Foods offers great prepared cheese gift baskets but they will also customize baskets so you can create one more suitable for a single older person. They ship too. You can order by phone, fax or email.
http://www.allthebestfinefoods.com/pa...

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All The Best Fine Foods
1099 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W, CA

[merlot143]

I didn't read the article, but I've sent friends artisan chocolates from John and Kira's Chocolates in Pennsylvania. They come in a wooden box, wrapped in a ribbon, and are absolutely wonderful (according to reports). Makes a big impression as a foodie gift.