Food Gifts From Small Businesses

There’s no shortage of budding entrepreneurs making one-of-a-kind, beautiful (and delicious) products. But between big-box stores and a host of online marketplaces, finding a small business that meets your interests can feel like a never-ending hunt. Luckily, home cooks and hosts alike can have their pick of products while supporting craftspeople, brands, and shops, below.

Come shop this curated collection of products in person — where Vox Media will donate 100 percent of purchase price of all items sold to Stand Up To Cancer — at Eater and Mastercard’s A Taste for Good Market happening on June 16 through June 17 in New York at 37 Union Square West. At the event, guests can enjoy interactive demos from culinary experts, as well as purchase products on-site to recreate these experiences at home. You can continue to help support this great cause, too. Now through July 15, when you use your Mastercard to tap in-store or order online from qualifying restaurants and grocery stores, Mastercard will donate one cent, up to $5 million, to Stand Up To Cancer. Terms apply.*

So, whether you consider yourself a barista in residence or a pastry chef in-the-making, scroll through to find a complementary gift for every type of gourmand.

The Entertainer

Every seasoned entertainer knows that the initial appetizer spread sets the tone for the night. To help hosts start their dinner parties off on a high note, Iron Chef judge and TV-personality Nilou Motamed is leading a class at A Taste for Good Market on crafting stunning charcuterie spreads. Missed the workshop? You can purchase the board needed to recreate Motamed’s charcuterie spread below, along with her must-have entertaining essentials.

Wooden Serving Board

The foundation of any charcuterie spread is the serving board. While you can use slate or marble boards, Motamed prefers wood. This maple board has a sleek oval handle and is long enough to hold a variety of cheeses, meats, and accouterments. You can also customize it with the option to add personalized engravings or carvings.

Contrast Edge Linen Napkins

Amp up your dinner party game by swapping single-use napkins for fun textiles. The contrast stitching on these linen napkins will add a subtle touch of color to any table setting. Each napkin is also hand embroidered in Cairo, using local materials with designs inspired by Egypt’s history and culture.

Dried Flower Arrangement

Any host knows that flowers are essential at any dinner party. But instead of buying a traditional bouquet that’s bound for the trash after a few days, pick up a dried flower arrangement from East Olivia instead. The pandemic-born business creates preserved flower arrangements that last much longer than a typical bouquet (if cared for properly, their website claims that the bouquet can look just as fresh as day one after a year). The showstopping arrangements are available in a variety sizes and come with a complementary ceramic vase.

Geometric Pop Bowl

Los Angeles-based artist and designer Karen Tong created her ceramics company, Heo, as a way to bridge her interests in Bauhaus architecture, Southeast Asian design, and the Southwestern desert aesthetic. In particular, these hand-painted bowls draw inspiration from her love of Memphis Art Deco design and come in four different sizes. They’re ideal for serving anything from a dipping sauce to a bowl of ramen.

The Home Chef

Fariyal Abdullahi, executive chef at Hav and Mar in New York, is making her signature shiro, an Ethiopian ground chickpea stew, at A Taste for Good Market. Find Abdullahi’s go-to Dutch oven that she used to make shiro below, and shop her everyday pantry staples.

Dutch Oven

From braising to deep frying and baking, a Dutch oven is a must-have in any home cook’s kitchen — it’s a versatile tool that they can use everyday. This six-quart option comes in two colors, plus it’s less than a quarter of the price of big-name Dutch ovens.

Macha Salsa Trio

Salsa macha, a traditional Mexican condiment made from dried chiles, fruit, nuts, seeds, and oil, will add a host of flavor to any dish that it tops. Mexican food and cookware company Masienda created the ultimate bundle that includes three of their best-selling salsa machas. Plus, all three are shelf-stable and won’t take up precious real-estate on your refrigerator door.

Balsamic and Spice Box

When Angel Gregorio couldn’t find a spice blend that met her standards, she traveled to more than 25 countries and started custom-blending her own mixes and launched her spice shop, The Spice Suite. Today, she has expanded her business to include infused oils, teas, and hot sauces. Her Balsamic and Spice box comes with two spices and your choice of a vinegar — creating an easy way to kick up the flavor of any dish.

The Barista

If you don’t want to spend $5 on a cup of coffee every morning, you’ll need to set yourself up for success. That means stocking your kitchen with the proper tools to recreate that artisanal cup of coffee (or tea) at home. Find everything you need, and more, below.

Handheld Frother

This isn’t your standard handheld frother. The Golde Superwhisk is a rechargeable and travel-friendly frother that can be used to whip up coffee, matcha, and milk. Self-care enthusiast Trinity Mouzon Wofford started Golde from her one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment. Since then, Wofford has since expanded her business to include superfood essentials, like collagen supplements, face masks, and more.

Tea Gift Box

Certified tea sommelier Alfonso Wright and his wife, Jamila, opened their tea shop in Bed-Stuy in 2019: Brooklyn Tea. Since opening, they have curated a collection of more than 50 varieties of tea, which are also available for purchase on their online store. The shop’s best-selling gift box includes four pouches of your choice of tea, plus an infuser.

Vietnamese Coffee Kit

Vietnamese coffee company Nguyen is on a mission to change the future of coffee. They use high-quality, sustainable ingredients by partnering with family-run farms in Vietnam. The company’s coffee kit includes three bags of beans, a glass mug, coffee scoop, and a Phin filter (a Vietnamese coffee brewing tool). It’s perfect for those serious coffee fans to indulge in their morning ritual.

The Baker

At A Taste for Good Market, renowned pastry chef Zac Young demos how to transform plain popcorn into a surprising, flavorful, and savory party-pleaser. If you missed the event, shop Young’s favorite popping corn below — along with his go-to baking essentials.

Heirloom Popping Corn

The secret to Young’s savory party popcorns comes from heirloom grains, in particular, this Appalachian heirloom sweet flint popping corn. Unlike traditional kernels, these are derived from corn that has an extended growing season, allowing more flavor to develop. The result? Sweet and crisp kernels that are the perfect base for butter, spices, or whatever toppings you decide to add to your bowl.

Colombian Chocolate Bar

Growing up in the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Tobago, brothers Dominic, Nicholas, and Daniel Maloney were always surrounded by high-quality chocolate. After moving to the Bronx, they were determined to bring the same standard of confections to the American market. Their company, Sol Cacao, takes pride in its product quality and currently only offers four chocolate bars. The Colombia Chocolate bar is the newest addition, and at 70 percent cacao, it’s perfect for using in ganaches, mousses, and glazes.

The Baking Trio

Sana Javeri Kadri founded Diaspora Co. with the idea to instill equitable and ethical practices in the spice trade. Today, Diaspora Co. pays farmers more than six times above the standard rates and, as a result, is changing the landscape of the spice trade across India. Their fan-favorite Baking Trio is composed of single-origin spices that are a must-have for baking. The set includes Peni Miris Cinnamon, Anamalai Nutmeg, and Makhir Ginger.

Yellow Smock

Since 2014, kitchen-gear company Hedley and Bennett has worked with chefs to create durable aprons that are built to withstand service for 200, so it’s no surprise that their aprons are a favorite among pastry chefs across the country. The Yuzu Yellow Smock has a cross-back strap that’s become increasingly popular for its easy, throw-on-and-go fit. Not to mention, the machine-washable fabric can take any baking spills or flour dustings that’s thrown at it.

*Applies to eligible purchases made with US issued Mastercard cards used at qualifying U.S. restaurants or grocery stores (as defined by the applicable Mastercard Merchant Category Code). Valid through 7/15/23 at 11:59pm ET or when US$5MM donation max is reached, whichever comes first. See full terms at priceless.com/SU2C. Stand Up To Cancer is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.