VAFoodie’s 2018 Good Gift Guide: Local and delicious gifts for the food lovers on your list

Amateurs, enthusiasts and professionals alike are sure to love this combo pack. With House Bitters, Ginger Apple Shrub, recipe card, and RR&Co shot glass, mixing up tasty cocktails is a cinch. Add Virginia Spirits for a truly local experience. Cheers!

Image: Red Root & Co.

This carbonated tonic blend is not only a delicious combination of juniper, citrus and rosemary—it is also packed with electrolytes to hydrate the body. Pair this with a favorite rum or vodka for an unexpectedly smooth grown up gift.

Image: Navy Hill

This is by far the cutest holiday tradition you could have. Easily bake, build, & decorate your own village of tiny gingerbread houses! Made in Richmond, VA, each PastryBase kit includes all-natural ingredients and chemical-free decorations that are naturally dyed with veggies! A gluten-free option is also available.

Image: PastryBase

Willie Byrd Dark Chocolate Peppermint Sauce is “mint” to be your favorite holiday gift to give and receive! The sweet combination of dark chocolate and peppermint makes this a gift that is hard not to love. You might find yourself struggling to give it away, so consider buying a jar or two for yourself!

Image: Willie Byrd

These handmade pickles pack a punch of amazing flavor that ranges from adventurous Jalapeno to Classic Dill. Their Habanero Bread & Butter won Best of Show at the Pickled and Fermented Festival, so you know it’s a big “dill”. Every jar is made with care, attention, and pickle-y love.

Image: Matt’s Dirty Pickles

This salt is solar evaporated and hand harvested from the Ancient Iapetus Ocean, deep under the Appalachian Mountains. This luxurious gift includes a 3.5 oz jar of this salt, along with a cherrywood salt cellar and scoop. Delicious salt is truly one of the finer things in life.

Image: JQ Salt Works

This snacker’s dream tin makes local gift-giving fun and easy. With plenty of flavors to choose from, like their new Salt & Pepper, fiery blend Mama Zuma’s Revenge and ultimate classic Sour Cream & Chive, you can find the perfect tin for everyone you know!

Image: Route 11

This stunning set of rustic copper glazed pottery will bring warmth and artisanal beauty into any home. Handcrafted and hand painted in Bedford, Virginia, this tea set is a unique gift for that tea aficionado in your life.

Image: Emerson Creek

Just like us, we’re sure most of the people in your life enjoy a morning cup of coffee. This southwest Virginia coffee company is well known for their tasty bottled cold brew, and now caffeine-addicts can brew the soft, sweet, smooth and chocolate profiled medium roast at home. Grab a bag to give a friend the gift of a good morning jumpstart.

Image: Lincoln Road

This holiday season, warm the hearts of your loved ones with Virginia’s most-awarded whiskey – Roundstone Rye. Catoctin Creek Distilling Company faithfully fulfills VA whiskey tradition by using 100% organic rye grain, locally sourced and free of chemicals.

Image: DJ Glisson II: Firefly Imageworks

Any person that likes to cook would gush over the heirloom quality craftsmanship of a nice skillet. Each Athena skillet is a unique tool crafted to sauté, sear, fry, baste, and bake at high temperatures, giving you the ultimate cooking experience. Carbon steel is known for its quality, precision, and propensity to last forever.

Image: Athena Skillets

Triple-distilled from 100% organic corn and made with all natural ingredients, a bottle of Belle Isle Moonshine is sure to satisfy even the fussiest friend, family member, or coworker. Try the original Black Label or one of their four delicious infusions, all hand-bottled in Richmond, Virginia.

Image: Belle Isle Moonshine

From novice cooks to experienced chefs, fresh spices are the gift that inspires! All Spicers Mill items are completely plastic-free and labels are made from 100% recycled paper products. Choose from classic spices or unique rubs like Canadian Steak Seasoning or Garden Fresh Salad Seasoning, all available on their online store.

Image: Spicers Mill

Who wouldn’t want delicious, handmade cookies delivered to their doorstep every month? No one, that’s who. Noshy’s Classics 3 Month Subscription Box will deliver tins full of Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle and more cookies sent to the loved ones in your life.

Image: Noshy Cookies

Cold brew coffee cans are natural energy ready to go and Snowing in Space offers four rocking flavors. No sugar. No dairy. This locally roasted coffee cold brew is the intense gift for the friend or family member that likes to live life in the fast lane.

Image: Snowing in Space

Bring out the sweetness of the Holiday season with freshly roasted Virginia Chestnuts. Perfect for tailgating, housewarming parties, and (of course) the holidays.

Know anyone who deserves a little heat? Give the gift of an authentic culinary experience with five artisan pepper sauces from around the world. Each bottle is filled with a different experience and made from 100% all-natural and gluten-free ingredients ready to spice up any foodie’s life.

Image: Clark + Hopkins

Farm Fresh for the Holidays has a nice ring to it – right? Using Lakota Fresh Food’s online ordering service, you can send meat, dairy, veggies and more—all sourced locally from Farmers in Virginia right to the doorsteps of your giftee. Simply place an order and have it delivered, easy-peasy.

Image: Lakota Fresh

Experiences are one of the best presents for that “friend that has everything”. Show your loved one all that Virginia has to offer with their wine and craft beverage scene for the holidays! Family and friends can book a tour during the times that work best for them with a VinGo gift card.

Image: VinGo

We all know a peanut butter fanatic (maybe you’re even one yourself) and these gift boxes from Reginald’s Homemade are guaranteed to satisfy the nuttiest of cravings. Choose from sets with creative combos and flavors like Bourbon Pecan, Nana Honey Butter, White Chocolate Macadamia, and Hazelnut Amaretto.

Image: Reginald’s Homemade