Whether you like the barbecue or not (and for Southerners barbecue is a very personal thing), everyone agrees that the cheese biscuits at Jim ‘n Nick’s are pretty much the best thing ever. Grab a bag of biscuit mix for a mere $5.99 and score big points with the food lover on your list.
A Billy Reid in your bonnet
It’s rare to see Chef Sean Brock not wearing this favorite cap of his. Crafted by the inimitable Southern designer Billy Reid, each one of the patches is handstitched in Alabama and a proceed from sales go directly to the Southern Foodways Alliance. The caps are $38 and can be found at the websites of Billy Reid and the Southern Foodways Alliance. You can also pick one up at the Billy Reid store downtown at 150 King St.
This is the gift that keeps on giving. You could start them off with a single month ($40 for three wines) or you could really treat them with a full year of monthly wines handpicked by sommelier Brad Ball. Red, white, and mixed options available.
Give them something can really sink their teeth into: a big pink box full of seasonal cupcakes. A dozen ($30) come in a variety of holiday hues, including gingerbread, peppermint, chocolate, and red velvet. Cupcake will even deliver for an additional $8, or you can pick up at one of their two Charleston locations for free.holy smoke olive oil
Abundant Seafood has been a pioneer in the community supported fishery model. Mark and Kerry Marhefka sell subscriptions to their program four times a year, and the winter season starts up in January and runs until March. For $120, you can give your loved one 15 pounds of fresh fish. The Marhefkas plan for a total of six deliveries. Send an email to abundantseafood@gmail.com for more info. Talk about an experiential present.
Who wouldn’t love a bag of meat, right? And this is not just any old meat. This is handcrafted, house-cured meat made by Chef Craig Deihl at Cypress. He’s got more than 80 types of charcuterie and cured meats, from hotdogs to mortadella. This makes for a crowd-pleasing present, just don’t leave it under the tree or else the dog will dig in before you can. Call ahead to reserve your $50 bag. Pickup begins on Wed. Dec. 19. (843) 937-4012
The guys at Holy Smoke start with California olive oil from the first cold-press and then smoke it here locally using pecan and hickory wood. The result is a sultry taste sensation. Drizzle it on your hummus, your microgreens, and your pasta, and pretty much anything else you want to give a boost of smoky flavor. Find it online at holysmokeoliveoil.com. You can buy it in person (and probably taste it) at the last Saturday farmers market and at Coastal Cupboard in Mt. Pleasant. An 8.5 oz. bottle goes for $15.
Belle’s Country Links and Geechie Boy Grits
For a hearty start to the New Year, give a pound or two of the Glass Onion’s sage-y sausages. Belle’s Country Links are now available for sale at the West Ashley restaurant and on their website ($9/lb). Combined with a bag of Geechie Boy grits from Edisto Island ($5.35/bag), this makes for the ultimate Southern food package.
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