BusinessTN

It’s that time of year, when we take time to show our appreciation to those people who are important to us, be they client or colleague, boss or board member. This year, look beyond the predictable fountain pen, coffee mug or whimsical golf figurine and give delicious treats made in Tennessee. Toast a colleague with a good bottle of Tennessee wine, or indulge their sweet tooth with a tipsy cake. When the gift-giving situation calls for a bit more, send a box or basket that’s sure to delight by assembling one of the themed packages below.

Ham and Jam Don’t be fooled by the name; it’s really about the biscuits. Start with simple and sublime biscuits made with White Lily flour. Even after years of the Opry we’re partial to this brand over Martha White, but choose your favorite. If the gift recipient likes to cook or is from the South, send a bag White Lily Self-Rising. They’ll know what to do. If cooking isn’t their forte, a few packets of White Lily Buttermilk Biscuit Mix would be a safer bet. Good southern biscuits call for good southern preserves, like those produced by Smoky Mountain Farms in Gatlinburg. We chose jars of Pumpkin Butter and Rhubarb preserves. Try their Huckleberry Jam, the southern staple Apple Butter, or make the difficult choice between Muscadine and Scuppernong Jellies. Another required biscuit topping is country ham. A four-pound pack from Tripp Country Ham in Brownsville should do the trick. It’s not a Tennessee breakfast without grits, so we’ve included a two-pound bag from The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge. Jack Daniel’s Whiskey is certainly not for breakfast, but it makes a great hot-toddy. For another winter warm-up, try Prichards’ Rum, hot and buttered. Choose your bottle, and add a few of your favorite hearth-side drink recipes to complete this collection of Tennessee comfort food and drink.

White Lily • www.whitelily.com

Smoky Mountain Farms • www.favoritesof.com

Tripp Country Ham • www.countryhams.com

The Old Mill • www.old-mill.com

Jack Daniel’s 1-877-spirits • www.877spirits.com

Prichards’ Rum • For a list of distributors, visit www.prichardsdistillery.com

Tennessee Nostalgia Return to a time when sugar was not taboo. There are many stories, perhaps apocryphal, about how the GooGoo got its name. Some say it was named by the inventor’s infant child, others by a school teacher with whom he rode the street car. You’ll find it difficult to recount either story with a mouth full of nuts and caramel. We haven’t forgotten Tennessee’s other favorite round confection, the Moon Pie. More cake than candy, Moon Pies are best served with an ice-cold soda. RC Cola is usually the drink of choice when washing one down, but we chose to keep things local with Chattanooga-made Double-Cola. Somewhere between Squirt and Mountain Dew is Double-Cola Co.’s Ski. We like Ski’s small and chic 10-ounce glass bottles, just holding one will make you feel like it’s 1964. This collection of Tennessee sodas would not be complete without Dr. Enuf from Tri-City Beverage Co. Long before Red Bull and other nouveau energy drinks, Tri-City Beverage has been fortifying Dr. Enuf with B vitamins. In the late 1940s, the Dr. was purported to cure ailments from stomach discomfort to fatigue. Nowadays, folks choose the original Dr. Enuf and herbal versions with guarana and ginseng for a quick pick-me-up.

GooGoo Clusters • www.googoo.com • (800)226-4340

Moon Pies • www.favoritesof.com

Ski and Double Cola • www.double-cola.com

Dr. Enuf • www.drenuf.com

Homeward Found International treats, made right here at home. Enjoy an “International” feast of gourmet foods made in Tennessee. Start with a cheese tray of farm-fresh chèvre and feta from Bonnie Blue Farm in Waynesboro. Caviar from Tennessee? Kelley’s Katch Caviar, reminiscent of Russian sevruga at a fraction of the cost, is produced by paddlefish native to Tennessee’s rivers. The innovative shape of The Pasta Shoppe’s Curly Cucina Tri-Color Curly Fettuccine is more than just attractive to the eye—every dip and groove holds your favorite sauce for wonderful flavor in each bite. Try Brother’s Fine Foods’ Spaghetti Sauce for a good marinara. Colt’s Chocolates’ decadent Dark Chocolate Truffle Cake is delightful with a cup of coffee, but for the ultimate indulgence pair slices with Chateau Ross Vineyard’s Cabernet Sauvignon.

Kelley’s Katch Caviar • www.kellyskatch.com

Bonnie Blue Farm Cheeses • www.bonniebluefarm.com • (931)722-4628

The Pasta Shoppe • www.pastashoppe.com

Brother’s Fine Foods • www.brothersfinefoods.com

Colt’s Chocolates • www.coltschocolates.com

Chateau Ross Vineyards • (615)654-9463