Festive Flavors
From handcrafted candies to spicy sauces, a plethora of local, handcrafted products will make your holiday season easy and delicious. Whether you are planning a party, hosting house guests, or looking for a unique gift, Brevard’s own food artisans have you covered.
The word “artisanal” is used to describe food made by hand and from scratch using high-quality ingredients. Because of the hands-on time required to create these special dishes, artisanal foods can only be produced in small quantities, but the results are big on flavor.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to spend hours in your kitchen creating your own gourmet treats, you can show your loved ones you care by supporting a small business right here in Brevard. So this holiday season, bypass some of the predictable and common options. Instead, support a local chef who is pursuing his or her lifelong passion. Any one of these treats is sure to be a hit with everyone on your list!
Jacqueline’s Bakery and Cafe
At Jacqueline’s, owners Jacqueline Dittmore and her husband Christophe Molitor believe that the best dishes begin with the best ingredients. Dittmore says it’s their love for both the art of baking and their customers that sets their bakery apart.
“I believe in producing something that you put your heart and soul into doing,” Dittmore said. “It’s about creating from scratch, not just assembling.”
Jacqueline's signature items include quiches, tartlets, and danishes. These delicious homemade goods are perfect to have on hand when you have house guests. Customers can also pre-order their signature French cakes, creme brulee made with real vanilla, or choose one of their specialty holiday items, such as their delicious Buches de Noel or Galette des Rois.
http://jacquelinebakery.com
906 E New Haven Ave, Melbourne FL 32901
321-312-6594
facebook.com/jacquelinebakerycafeMLB/
Sue Ann’s Bakery
Walking through the doors of Sue Ann’s bakery feels like coming home. Sue Ann Moran’s willingness to go above and beyond to help her customers enjoy their family favorites is one of the things that sets her bakery apart.
“We had a customer who gave me her family recipes. She told me how great they were and if I made them all, we would surely sell out, and she would definitely purchase the items,” Moran remembered. “I think she wanted the items for her dinner but didn't want to make them herself and trusted that we would do a good job for her!”
The bakery’s Thanksgiving pies are a tradition for many local families, and their special order holiday desserts are both beautiful and delicious. If you have special dietary needs, Sue Ann’s has you covered. They are proud to serve diabetic friendly, gluten free, and vegan treats.
817 E New Haven Ave Melbourne, FL 32901
(321) 952-5256
Tails at the Barkery
Let’s not forget our furry friends this holiday season! If you are in the market for a treat to make your pet’s tail wag, Pam Shaia at Tails at the Barkery has a few suggestions. According to Shaia, the most popular treats for pups are the bacon my heart bites, puppernutters, and bacon cheeseburger sliders. If you are searching for the perfect gift for your feline friends, Shaia also makes unique catnip treats for cats.
Tails at the Barkery also supports animal rescue groups throughout the state. Donating a portion of each sale was a no-brainer for Shaia, who says animals are her first love and deserve only the very best.
“We are a bakery, not a fakery,” Shaia said. “We bake fresh daily and use nothing but Florida fresh ingredients in our all-natural treats.”
308 Brevard Avenue Cocoa, FL 32922
321-305-4584
facebook.com/TailsatTheBarkery/
Tropical Spices
Founders Christopher and Jenny Porro started Tropical Spices with a passion for flavor.
“We come from families where the kitchen and food are the centerpiece of life, and no matter what, that is where our family comes together,” Porro said.
They created their first sauce at their kitchen table eight years ago. They started out attending local markets as vendors then added catering. In 2017, the Porros opened Over the Top Sammies in Palm Bay, where they infuse their family recipes with their award-winning sauces.
Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer? Tropical Spice sauces are still made fresh to order with no additives or preservatives. Customers can place an order in person, online, or by phone, and Porro will even customize your sauces for your preferred level of heat.
2524 Palm Bay Road NE, Unit 2 Palm Bay, Florida
(321) 586-4343
facebook.com/tropicalspicescatering/
Mary Storey Confections
Mary Storey’s creations are almost too pretty to eat, but they are too delicious not to. Storey, a professionally trained chef, turned her passion for candy making into her own business two years ago. Her handcrafted European style chocolates are available at Jacqueline’s Bakery and Cafe and by special order. Storey says working with chocolate allows her to stretch her artistic muscles.
“I really enjoy the opportunity for creativity,” Storey said. “I like to work with my ideas and bring something to fruition and share it with others. The ultimate goal is to make people happy.”
Storey’s handcrafted bonbons, filled with different types of gananches, are perfect gifts for almost anyone on your list. Her shaped chocolates — large, hollow holiday pumpkins filled with chocolate leaves or ornaments filled with candy snowmen, Santas, and trees — are especially popular with children.
321-338-5248
facebook.com/marystoreyconfections/
instagram.com/marystoreyconfections/
Southern Caramel
Southern Caramel founder Sarah Smith started her sweet new business back in 2013 after the birth of her daughter. At first, she made caramels at night in her home kitchen while continuing to work her day job. But as her daughter grew, so did her business. In 2015, she began to share a commercial kitchen and started selling her treats to local specialty markets and on the internet. Her father, Joe DePietro, later joined the business and Smith was able to move into her own dedicated space.
“We only make caramel — we make one thing very well,” Smith said, “but it is so much fun to play with different flavors for the seasons. Our Apple Cider Caramel is perfect for this time of year.”
Southern Caramel’s other top sellers include sea salted and bourbon caramels along with sea salted caramel sauce. Smith’s candies are hand-crafted, hand-cut, and hand-wrapped. With delicious products ranging in price from $4 to $50 and beautiful packaging, Southern Caramel makes gift giving easy.
1280 Sarno Road, Melbourne, Florida
321-704-9253
facebook.com/Southern-Caramel-343804439118770/
TCS Foods
Karen Shea is a food artisan herself, but one of her favorite parts of her business is helping other local purveyors of homemade goods. As owner of TCS foods, Shea makes gourmet, specialty crock style cheese spreads. But Shea also runs a commissary kitchen, where more than a dozen other chefs prepare foods for their own small businesses.
Shea’s products, including her popular cheddar blue and carrot, spinach, and herb spread, are available at The Green Turtle Market in Satellite Beach and Downtown Produce in Melbourne. She and her husband, Tim, also sponsor the Downtown Melbourne Farmers’ Markets at Riverview Park and Viera Regional Park.
“It’s very rewarding to own your own business,” Shea said, “but my favorite part is helping other food entrepreneurs get on their feet and achieve their dream and help give them a venue to market their delicious foods to the community.”
321-759-3713
facebook.com/Downtown-Melbourne-Farmers-Market-at-Riverview-Park-297894340260585/
Nonna D’s Olive Pit
Nonna D’s specialty products are the perfect gift for the health-conscious chef on your list. Lou DePalma started selling his imported Mediterranean olives, olive oils and balsamic vinegars at local markets a little over five years ago. When customers began asking for flavored oils, he began experimenting with different combinations.
DePalma infuses his 100% virgin olive oil with a specialty extract without cooking it, allowing the oil to retain all its health benefits. His line includes garlic, rosemary, and basil oils, but his best seller is his butter garlic infused oil. He also recently began selling a balsamic vinegar BBQ sauce made without any processed sugar.
DePalma’s passion for flavor and quality ingredients sets his products apart.
“I have some fantastic products that help people cook healthy delicious meals,” DePalma said. “I have always loved cooking great meals for my family and friends so it makes me feel great to help others do the same.”
321-749-5298
facebook.com/Nonna-Ds-Olive-Pit-2014542971894236/
SHORTBREAD
(Jacqueline’s Bakery Recipe | Melbourne, FL)
Preheat oven to 325˚ F
Portion Ingredient
225 g Butter
320 g Flour
100 g Powdered sugar
Peel of ¼ orange
1 tsp Vanilla
Pinch Salt
Mix all of the ingredients together, using a smear method on a wooden surface.
Divide into 4, flatten, then roll and shape into cylinder, flatten a little again to rid of air pockets and fold back into cylinder.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Remove from the refrigerator and roll the cylinders in tray of sugar; slice into cookies and place on baking sheet.
Bake for 15 minutes, until a light golden color.
Chef Jacqueline’s Tip: As with any recipe, always consider the baking time to be a suggestion. All ovens are different and will bake differently. It’s better to check the doneness 5 minutes before and then keep an eye on your baked goods until they are done. Pâtisser Bien & Bon Appétit!
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