Food Gifts

Artisan Made Northeast -- Southbury

The Artisan Food Store features local cheeses from Cato Corner Farm in Colchester and The Cheese Nun from Bethlehem. The store also carries farmstead cheeses from all over New England, resulting in an excellent selection of fine cheeses from Maine to Virginia. The online store features not only gourmet cheese, but also gift baskets and boxes, jams and sauces, oils, maple syrup, natural handcrafted chocolates, and kettle corn. Information: 203-262-9390

Custom Gift Solutions -- Danbury

Unique fall themed gifts and holiday gift baskets, packed in interesting tins, beautiful baskets and even insulated coolers. Lots of specialty food products to choose from. Information: 800-743-4044

Mozzacato Bakery -- Hartford

Mozzicato's has repeatedly been voted Best Bakery in Connecticut by Connecticut Magazine and The Hartford Advocate. Mozzicato's is warmly known as a family business built on quality Italian baking. The company specializes in gourmet Italian cookie platters that are so tempting and delicious they guarantee your family and friends will love them. Colorful cookie platters range in size from 3 to 10 pounds, and are expertly wrapped and decorated. Information: 860-296-0426

Munson's Chocolates -- Bolton

Founded in 1946, and voted Connecticut Magazine Winners' Best Chocolates from 2003-2007, Munson's Chocolates is Connecticut's largest retail chocolate manufacturer. Their sinfully rich gourmet chocolates -- almond toffee butter crunch, fudge, cordial cherries, milk chocolate covered caramels and truffles -- are specially selected for holiday baskets, gift boxes, corporate gifts or by the pound. Information: 888-686-7667

On-A-Whim -- Monroe

On-A-Whim offers gift baskets for all occasions, ranging from simple and affordable to the ultra extravagant. Baskets can be scaled up or down in size to suit your needs and budget. The Snack Basket, for instance, arrives in a lidded hamper full of full-size packages of Belgian truffles, smoked sockeye salmon, crackers and smoked cheese, summer sausage, gourmet pretzels with dipping mustard, chocolate-covered biscotti, chocolate-drenched pecans, blue cheese straws and cinnamon straws, and a selection of gourmet tea and coffee. Or, the Pamper Hamper offers stress-busting aromatherapy items like Dead Sea salts, bath gel, silky body lotion, a box of chocolates and a long burning floral floater candle. Information: 800-899-0959