They battled, as friends, about everything. She would call them philosophical discussions; he felt they were more like arguments about life choices.

They disagreed a lot, but agreed on just about everything that pertained to food and how things tasted.

They had traveled the world together. The locations they chose were driven by the food they hoped to find when they arrived. She was a super planner, always needing to know what was coming. He was more like, “Whatever...“

Not knowing what was coming would be the best surprise of all for her. He had flown to Italy when he heard about these luxurious chocolate shells filled with grappa and grappa-soaked cherries inside. He returned with a hat box full.

They both loved chocolate, and he knew that cherries were special to her. It was going to be splendiferous, this treat, and he wanted it to be memorable.

They had a big party planned as they hadn’t had one for a couple of years and it was time. Lots of friends and family were invited, and a shareable treat like these individually wrapped chocolates was going to be festive and memorable!

He couldn’t wait to bring them out just before the gathering! She was going to go crazy not being able to try them before everyone arrived.

His only real hurdle was how to open the hat box, so he could have a couple of chocolates before the party, without removing the ribbon....

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Another perfect, homemade gift. This recipe - from our friend, transplanted New Yorker and cookbook author Jean Galton - makes a colorful and festive candy that tastes just wonderful. By using a chocolate thermometer to make this bark, the chocolate is tempered and will stay shiny and firm at room temperature. If you wish to do the bark without a thermometer, simply store the chocolate in the refrigerator.

See the Holiday Two Chocolate Bark Recipe here!

These chocolates are filled with grappa and a cherry. You must pop these chocolates in your mouth in its entirety or you will have an explosion of grappa all over your chin and shirt!

What a glorious mix of textures and flavors! If I could I would consume a whole box in one episode of anything!

Limited supply. 1 per customer.

Shop now for Boero Grappa Chocolate Covered Cherries - Extra Large Hat Box here!

This really is the best mashed potato recipe. It is the combination of ingredients that makes it great!

I have tried all sorts of options and they all turn out great. Just not as great as this recipe is.

Perfect for Thanksgiving!

The Hell with the Fat!
"OMG this is delicious. Eat and enjoy and forget the calories. It's that once every once in a while comfort food.!!!"
-- sharon

See the Best Mashed Potatoes Recipe Here!

This recipe is so easy, and a perfect compliment to your holiday turkey.

See the Red Grape and Dried Cranberry Relish Recipe Here!

Almost 24 years ago we found Albert and Kim Katz and their Apple Cider Vinegar. It was true love at first taste and it has been a part of the ChefShop family ever since. When Katz Farms retired we were saddened that the amazing vinegars would no longer be available, forever!

True to his word, Albert kept the Vinegars going and they are back!

We have tried a lot, and I mean a lot of Apple Cider Vinegars and we truly think this is the very best!

The Gravenstein apple is one of those apples that you need to eat as soon as you pick it. Otherwise, it turns mushy right away! This apple is a wonderful cooking apple. Makes great sauce, cider, and vinegar!

This Katz Gravenstein Apple Cider Vinegar is a revelation, a vision, a lightening bolt of amazement! Yes it’s just vinegar, but a little sip with just your lips and you can taste the sweetness, the shape, the roundness of the apple. You can taste the apple!

In the Sonoma Valley, Gravensteins hit peak planting in 1945, when over 14,000 acres of the area's gently sloping hills were covered with the trees. Today, there are far fewer, as thousands of acres have been replanted with grape vines - another crop we love, but we still believe in supporting those remaining Gravenstein growers. Slow Food has declared the Gravenstein apple to be a "Heritage" food that should be protected from further encroachment.

The fruit has long been sought after by chefs for its culinary uses and its elegant balance of sweet and tart flavors. Gravenstein's dense texture makes them perfect for sauces and pastries, and they also make the most gorgeous apple crisp imaginable - and some of the best cider around.

And here is where we come in. This cider vinegar is made from hard cider from late-ripening Gravenstein apples when the sugars are high. Then the cider is carefully and slowly converted to vinegar in 55-gallon oak barrels.

It’s back and we are overjoyed.

Lovely, fragrant, mellow vinegar !
"A really nice, delicately flavored vinegar. I used it to make cole slaw and it added a lovely apple-y note to it (much more subtle and flavorful than other apple cider vinegars). I also found 1 Tbsp in a glass of water very effective for heartburn (after the cole slaw)."
-- pam

Shop now for Katz Apple Cider Vinegar - Gravenstein!

Panettone cake made with Amareno cherries and pieces of chocolate, with an almond glaze.

Shop now for Albertengo Cherry and Chocolate Panettone here!

This Italian Panettone cake is a famous specialty with a taste all Piedmontese. Unlike the traditional Panettone that is studded with raisins and candied citron, this Panettone is made only with Sultana Raisins soaked in high-quality Moscato Wine.

By combining two famous, local Piedmontese products: the sweet and aromatic Moscato wine produced by the wine-dressers of S.Stefano Belbo, and hazelnut and almond icing, this Italian specialty has a unique and remarkable taste, rich only with soft raisins.

The very best panettone!!

"Albertengo makes an excellent panettone! It is their speciality based on family history in the business. Having visited the factory and family, we know the quality of this product. Thank you Chefshop for carrying Albertengo Panettone!"
-- donna

Shop now for Albertengo 1/2 kilo Panettone with Moscato